Québec’s War on CEGEPs? Austerity, Censorship & Campus Crackdowns

Dawson College teacher Felix Fuchs speaks with journalist Kalden Dhatsenpa about the growing concerns among educators and unions regarding the Quebec government’s approach to public education. At the centre of the conversation is the province’s $151 million in planned cuts to the CEGEP network for 2025-2026 and the broader implications for academic institutions, particularly English-language colleges.

According to Fuchs, the reductions have already led to hiring freezes, decreased funding for libraries and student services, and increased workloads for support staff. Teachers say they are absorbing the additional strain, raising concerns about declining working conditions and the overall quality of education. English CEGEPs such as Dawson and Vanier appear to be disproportionately affected.

These developments come as the province also launches investigations into campus tensions at both Dawson and Vanier, particularly around student activism related to the war in Gaza. Critics, including the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN), argue that this combination of budgetary and disciplinary measures reflects political interference and contributes to a climate of fear. The CSN has called for the resignation of Higher Education Minister Pascale Déry.

Fuchs frames these issues within a broader context of austerity, suggesting that the cuts are a response to recent public sector gains during the 2023 common front strikes. He also warns that Bill 89, a proposed law concerning university governance, could further restrict labor rights and academic freedom.

The Quebec government maintains that the financial adjustments are necessary to ensure long-term sustainability and accountability in the public sector.

As the debate continues, union leaders and educators stress the importance of public dialogue and collective action to protect the integrity of education and the rights of those who work within it.