More than 50 people, mostly teachers and students, gathered in protest on Wednesday, November 20, outside the Belles-Rives Center in Vaudreuil-Dorion. The demonstration aimed to denounce cuts to adult French-language training services in the school system.

“Just at the Centre de services scolaire des Trois-Lacs (CSSTL), 150 people have been left without access to their French-language classes since last Thursday. These students are now in limbo—they don’t know when or where their classes will resume,” said Annie-Christine Tardif, Vice-President for Professional Affairs at the Fédération autonome de l’enseignement (FAE), in an interview.

These 150 students, many of whom are newcomers needing to improve their French for work, join a lengthy waiting list. According to data from the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation, and Integration (MIFI), the average wait time for part-time French classes was 81 business days between April 1 and August 30, 2024.

Frustration Among Students and Teachers
Beyond the service cuts, unions criticize the government’s insensitivity to the needs of students who came to Quebec with the promise of resources to support their integration.

“Students feel abandoned. They began learning French to integrate into Quebec culture and the job market, and suddenly their resources are taken away. It’s not just about losing classes; they’re also losing a network. Bonds are formed among students as they navigate their new culture together. These people want to integrate, but they’re being told they won’t have the help to do so,” lamented Martine Dumas, President of the Syndicat de l’enseignement des Seigneuries (SES). “There’s a lot of misunderstanding and frustration,” she added.

The impact extends to the teaching staff. Nearly half of CSSTL’s French-language teachers—around 10 individuals—are now out of work or won’t see their contracts renewed. Only those with permanent positions or full-time workloads have been spared.

“Our teachers are in shock. When we ask what their next steps will be, they don’t know—the shock is too great. As far as we know, CSSTL hasn’t proposed redirecting teachers to other positions,” said SES President Dumas.

“Most French-language teachers hold bachelor’s degrees and specialize in teaching French as a second language to adults. Teaching adults is very different from teaching children or teens. Some teachers, feeling unprepared for a transition to other roles, are leaving the profession altogether,” added Tardif.

Community Organizations Left to Fill the Gap
Community organizations offering French-language services are rare across Quebec, and Vaudreuil-Soulanges is no exception. Only two organizations—COMQUAT and La Magie des mots—provide such services locally.

“From what we understand, the ministry wants to redirect students to community organizations. But these organizations don’t have the same structure as school service centers (CSS). CSS have trained teachers, internal support systems, and specialists like psychoeducators. Community organizations often lack these resources,” explained Dumas.

“The MIFI is trying to rebuild a structure with CEGEPs, universities, and community groups, asking them to find space and instructors. They’re trying to create something on the fly without a plan, even though the school-based system was ideal and functioning well,” Tardif added.

Mixed Messages from the Quebec Government
For Dumas, the government is contradicting itself on the issue of francization. “On one hand, the CAQ (Coalition Avenir Québec) emphasizes protecting the French language and Quebec culture. On the other, it’s cutting services that directly support these goals. It makes no sense,” she said.

Budget Cuts or Mismanagement?
In an interview with Radio-Canada on October 24, Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge stated that there had been no cuts to adult French-language programs in schools, citing $104 million allocated to francization in 2023 and 2024.

However, the reality appears different.

“Budgets were allocated based on enrollment numbers from 2020–2021, a COVID-affected year with significantly fewer registrations than today. Demand has risen steadily, but funding hasn’t increased,” noted Dumas.

The FAE echoes this concern, pointing out that funding rules have changed. “CSS used to have flexibility to reallocate unused funds between programs. That’s no longer allowed. This rigidity means CSS can only serve a fixed number of students, leaving others without access,” explained Tardif.

“Integrating newcomers into Quebec’s culture and economy won’t happen without investment. CSS have developed real expertise in francization, and yet the message now is that they’re not the right vehicle for this work,” Dumas concluded.