Nearly 900 international students in limbo after Quebec colleges lose operating permits

Nearly 900 international students at Collège Supérieur de Montréal (CSM) and Collège Supérieur de Sherbrooke (CSS) are in limbo after the school abruptly lost its permits to operate.

Nearly 900 international students at Collège Supérieur de Montréal (CSM) and Collège Supérieur de Sherbrooke (CSS) are in limbo after the school abruptly lost its permits to operate. The college told students Friday that Quebec’s education ministry did not renew the school’s operating permit. Collège Supérieur is a private college subsidized by the province.

“I just checked my phone, saw the email and was like ‘Oh my god,’” said student Manel Mahious. She says she was supposed to begin her internship this week. Another student, Melissa Haddad, says she was just months away from finishing her program.

“I think my future... is over,” she said. At the Montreal site, 582 international students are enrolled, and at Sherbrooke, there are 296. The college tells CTV News it is making every effort to overturn the decision, which it says is based on what it calls false grounds.

But neither the college nor the ministry has said exactly why the permits were not renewed in the first place. Opposition party Québec Solidaire wants the government to give students a transition period. “They feel like their future here is in jeopardy, and they don’t know what’s going to happen,” said Guillaume Cliché-Rivard.

In a letter to students, the education ministry says it will help students transition into the public system and may even waive their tuition. The ministry provided a list of eight school boards across Quebec for students to choose from. “Our priority remains ensuring the protection and well-being of students, the quality of educational services, and the continuity of their educational journey,” the ministry told CTV News in an email.

“In this regard, solutions to ensure the continuation of their education and support measures are being implemented. Notifications outlining the procedure to follow to complete their studies in Quebec have been sent to all affected students, and we encourage them to contact the Ministry of Education promptly.” Still, students say they are worried because their permits to study in Quebec are expiring soon.

“We’re going to lose our legal status in Canada,” said Haddad.