In the Face of Government Arrogance, We Organize
This year, students will make history.
Together, we can force the provincial government to back down and reverse their $1,625 tuition fee hike and ensure accessible, quality education for future generations.
On Nov. 10, we filled the streets of Montreal with over 30,000 people to denounce the Quebec Liberal Party’s unjustifiable fee hike. This winter, we can do even more.
Despite our determination this autumn, the government hasn’t budged. Not only did they try to minimize the solidarity that gives life to the student movement, but were so petty that they attempted to buy up Google keywords for student associations to promote their pro-increase agenda—as if, by shoving it down our throats, this fee hike would suddenly become acceptable. We know better. Their plan will add to the massive financial burden students carry, promote individual and family debt and will do absolutely nothing to resolve the real problems of university mismanagement!
Following the massive demonstrations this fall, proposals for student strikes are gaining incredible momentum on campuses. Already many associations are planning to consult their members directly on the question, knowing it is perhaps the only way to make the government back down. We urge you to participate in these debates, express your ideas and opinions so that this campaign faithfully reflects your wishes and values.
It is not lightheartedly that we plan a Quebec student strike this winter. No student wants to voluntarily interrupt the course of his or her studies, but it may be the only option—especially compared to the government doing it by force through this massive increase.
Unfortunately, Jean Charest’s government has refused to listen. We have taken every reasonable step to prove the devastating consequences of this increase in black and white, supported by clear data and research. Nevertheless, this government has essentially denied reality and chosen to ignore the inconvenient facts. Are we willing to deny our younger siblings, our friends and allies and future generations access to the education we’ve been privileged enough to have, simply because they won’t be able to afford it? Is this really what we want for Quebec society?
We knew from the start what we were dealing with—an arrogant government, stubborn and obstinate, which has never had the wellbeing of students or their families at heart. They are blinded by neoliberal ideology and a failing “user pays” mentality. It’s the same blindness they had in 2004, when they attacked the poorest students and tried to cut $103 million in student aid—but we fought against it, united, and won.
So get involved! Join the movement! No matter how you participate, we need to send the message to Charest that this hike will not pass, that students will fight to defend accessibility to university studies, that they will not let the Liberals burden us with more debt or shut us out of classrooms.
Students, rise up! Let us be united, work in solidarity. Together, we will win.
Let us make 2012 the year of youth.
–Martine Desjardins
President of the Fédération étudiante universitaire du Québec
