cegep

French laws hamper Heritage College’s expansion

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By Trevor Greenway

Every school year staff at Heritage College take a “calculated risk” when enrolling students into classes to avoid hefty fines from the province, says its new director-general. 

Bill 96 – now Law 14, the province’s overhaul of the Charter of the French Language, passed in 2022 – places enrollment caps on English CEGEPS across the province, preventing schools like Heritage College from expanding its programs and growing its student population. 

Heritage College is capped at 1,198 students, and if the college accepts between one and 50 additional students, they face a $7,000 fine from the province. However, if they go over by 50 or more additional students, the fine doubles to $14,000 per student. 

“So you really have to be careful, right? Because you can’t let somebody in and then tell them that they can’t study here,” said Heritage College’s new director-general Lisa Peldjak. 

She explained the college’s dilemma under Bill 96: “You never know from one year to the next. It’s a calculated risk to think about how many students are going to stay on another year. How many are going to leave after that first year so you have an idea how many you can admit? And then, between the time they accept their letter of admission to the first day of class, how many do we historically lose? And then we are hoping that we’ve done the right calculation to be as close to that cap as possible.”

The enrollment caps have been a major barrier to the College’s growth, Peldjak said, as enrollment numbers used to be around $1,500 pre-Bill 96 – and growing. This allowed Heritage to grow in the past, adding programs like women’s hockey and ultimate frisbee. But the caps have stifled future growth, she said, as the fear of additional French classes for students made Ontario students initially reluctant to cross the river. 

Peldjak said the school has done a good job of sending the message that anglophone students are welcome at Heritage College. 

“There were students who were afraid of coming here, especially that first year – the francophones, the non-certificate holders, because there was a misunderstanding that they weren’t allowed to come here or how many French courses they have to take,” explained Peldjak. “But this year we had even more from the anglophone population. Once that first group went through, they were talking with friends and realizing it’s not detrimental to their successes.”

New cohort more prepared than COVID kids

Director-general Peldjak told the Low Down that the wave of new students entering Heritage College this year is far more prepared than the past few years of students who were feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and years of virtual learning. 

However, this new crop of students were in elementary school when COVID was at its peak, and while they lost some social time with their friends, they didn’t lose the full high-school experience that prepares teenagers for college. 

“They had more of their experience in high school and not that online component,” said Peldjak, adding that the school broke a record for the number of students who attended orientation day this year. “They seem to be more well-adjusted and not as dependent on waiting to be told what to do or where to go or being guided in every single direction. They seem very comfortable here; smiling faces – just the overall vibe between the students, the faculty coming back, the vibe has been great.”

Peldjak said she is a firm believer on day one of school being a positive experience, as that lays the foundation for a successful academic year. She said she understands that the “fear of the unknown can be crippling,” and the school does everything it can to make students feel comfortable and safe during the entire year but especially during that first week. 

Budget cuts hurt colleges

In June of this year, Quebec’s Education Ministry announced that it was cutting $150 million in funding for Quebec’s 48 CEGEPs – money that has forced Heritage College to cut contract workers. Peldjak said the school eliminated up to six contract positions but was able to keep all permanent staff employed through the cuts. 

“The $150 million cuts in post secondary education, the student cap, the capping of our total hours worked, as well as the recruitment freeze, has had significant impacts in services, some more than others. We can’t control that – it is our regional reality,” she said, continuing, “So [we’re] making sure that whatever it is that [students] need to be successful moving forward [they have], even in spite of the budget cuts.”

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Agreement to address the deficit at the Carleton-sur-Mer campus sports centre 

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Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

CARLETON-SUR-MER – An agreement has been reached between Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles and various partners to address the operating deficit at the Carleton-sur-Mer campus sports centre. 

Built in 2012, the centre includes a gymnasium, a training room, and a golf simulator. 

The facility operates on an annual budget of approximately $70,000 but faces a deficit of around $40,000. According to a CEGEP analysis, only about 25% of the available time slots are dedicated to teaching and student use. Additionally, demand for the gym exceeds its capacity during 50% of the available slots. On weekends, families and the general public can rent the gym. 

In the fall of 2021, an agreement was reached with the organization Bouge pour que ça Bouge. The CEGEP reports that this collaboration has significantly boosted the sports centre by optimizing the use of space and improving the range of sports activities. 

Since the service is available to the entire population, the CEGEP entered into discussions with nearby municipalities and Service Secours to finance part of the deficit. This was followed by agreements with the Ministry of Higher Education, which is contributing $13,740, the sports centre’s portion of revenue under the agreement with Bouge pour que ça bouge, which is contributing $18,000, and the Emergency Services, which is contributing $15,000. 

The municipalities of Carleton-sur-Mer and Maria were also contacted. “The Town was in favour of supporting the maintenance of this infrastructure to keep it open to the public. It’s $6,000 per year for three years,” explains Carleton-sur-Mer Mayor Mathieu Lapointe. The municipality of Maria will contribute $4,000. 

Other potential partners have been approached, and the CEGEP is awaiting confirmation of additional funding. 

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Sharp decline in international students at Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles 

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , , ,

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – A sharp increase in applications from students in the region and the rest of the province offsets in part the massive loss of international students in the first round of registrations for the fall semester at Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles. 

According to data from the registration period that ended March 1, the college has received 717 registrations compared to 783 at the same time last year. Of the registrations 306 were from the region, and over 250 from elsewhere in the province. 

The retention rate for students from the region is 80%. “The demographics are improving in the Gaspésie. More students were enrolling in CEGEP in the region. We have about fifty more admission applications this year, and the retention rate is 80%, which is very pleasing,” says Director of Studies Serge Rochon. 

However, the outlook for international students is less optimistic. “We are seeing a significant drop in the number of applications from international students. We are down 42%, which is significant. Despite this, we are able to offer almost all programs at Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles,” says Mr. Rochon. Applications for international students have dropped from 302 to 176. 

“For months, the government has been saying, ‘We’ll impose this measure, or it will be more difficult for post-graduation permits,’ because students, once they graduate, would like to stay in Quebec and work to meet our labour needs. This rhetoric, which we’ve been hearing for months, has made students less interested in coming to study in Quebec,” says Mr. Rochon. 

The Adventure Tourism Technique program has already reached capacity in the first round, while only a few spots remain in the second round for the medical archives, marine engineering, legal technology, police technology, and computer technology programs. 

Due to budget caps imposed by the Quebec government, the Police Technology program will not require practical labs for its first year, as budgets for capital investments have been capped by Quebec. This work is planned for the summer of 2026. 

“We have a cap, but we’ve prioritized Police Technology. In the first year, there are mainly theoretical courses on professional knowledge, psychology courses, which means we didn’t need labs in the first year,” says Mr. Rochon. 

On the other hand, an extensive revision of the Early Childhood Education program failed to attract enough students to revive the course. 

“We had renewed the program. We had developed partnerships with daycare centres in the Côte-de-Gaspé region. There were jobs available upon entering the program, paid internships. Despite this, we had few applications for admission. We will look into this with our partners to make the program as attractive as possible. The training is less attractive to young people. There is the whole issue of working conditions. We see that they are negotiating, and we hope that with better conditions, we will attract young people. It is our great disappointment to be forced to suspend only one program, and that is Early Childhood Education Techniques,” analyzes the director of studies. 

Last year, the CEGEP found housing solutions for out-of-town students, including a public call for student accommodations in Gaspé, which resulted in a surplus of available housing.  “With our partners, there is still space, and we are hopeful of housing all our students in Gaspé next fall,” he says.

In Carleton-sur-Mer, a new residence is under construction with about twenty spaces.  Meanwhile, the residence project in Grande-Rivière is moving forward with the Ministry of Higher Education, but nothing has yet been finalized.  “The budgetary context makes it difficult to have new projects these days. But with private partners, we found solutions. I don’t think we have any particular issues in Grande-Rivière,” notes Mr. Rochon. 

In the anglophone sector, 17 registrations were received at Gaspé campus. “It was 22 last year. It’s a slight decrease, but there’s still room. We often have registrations in the second, third, and fourth rounds. There are also agreements with English-speaking CEGEPs that often arrive during the winter semester,” says Mr. Rochon.  

Sharp decline in international students at Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles  Read More »

Small Steps, Big Impact: Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles & REGIM partner for a greener Gaspésie 

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Arthur Poirier-Roy, LJI Journalist

CARLETON – At Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles, a quiet revolution is underway. Beyond the classrooms and labs, a shift in commuting habits is taking place, driven by a commitment to sustainability and a recognition of the power of collective action. The institution is actively encouraging employees and students to embrace eco-friendly transportation, and the results are impressive. 

Annie Léonard, a Cégep employee, is a prime example. For the past two years, she’s been a regular rider of the REGIM (Régie intermunicipale de transport Gaspésie Îles-de-la-Madeleine), the regional bus service. Her employer subsidizes a portion of her bus pass, making it a financially attractive alternative to driving. But for Annie, the benefits extend beyond cost savings. She’s consistently impressed by the dedication of the REGIM drivers, who go above and beyond to serve the students, whom they also drive to the Cégep since 2014. “The drivers make an incredible effort to best serve the students,” she says. She’s witnessed them adapt their routes to accommodate students, even turning back if they’ve missed a stop. They keep lost items safe and recognize the students who’ve misplaced them, creating a sense of community on the bus. “It’s more than just an environmentally conscious choice,” Annie explains. “It’s a humane experience.” 

For Cégep employees, the incentives are clear. Parking spaces on campus are expensive, designed to discourage single-occupancy vehicles. This has fostered a thriving carpooling culture, with teachers sharing rides and splitting parking costs. The Cégep has also installed electric car charging stations, which are used by a growing number of teachers. This visible commitment to sustainability creates a positive atmosphere, demonstrating that the institution is taking concrete steps to reduce its carbon footprint. 

A partnership between the Cégep and REGIM has further amplified the impact. The REGIM now provides bus service for students, replacing the traditional yellow school buses since 2014, according to the bus company. This collaboration, as Annie notes, fosters a sense of shared responsibility between the municipality and the region. 

Annie has also seen firsthand how raising concerns can lead to positive change. She’s previously requested improvements like better lighting at bus shelters and a crosswalk near a stop, demonstrating that the Cégep administration is receptive to suggestions. 

The financial benefits of taking public transit are undeniable. Considering the wear and tear on a vehicle, the rising cost of fuel, the carbon tax, and on-campus parking fees, the subsidized bus pass, costing Annie only $60 per month (down from $100), is a “no-brainer.” Despite this, the bus service struggles to fill up its seats on some days, showing partial adoption at best from the local population. 

While electric cars may not be accessible to everyone, there are always options for those wishing to lower their ecological footprint. Simply filling up your car with colleagues, instead of driving alone, is a great start. The Cégep’s efforts demonstrate that real change is possible when individuals and institutions work together. All it takes is a willingness to ask. 

Do you have a story to share about commuting in the Gaspésie? The Gaspé Spec invites readers to reach out and share their experiences with public transportation, whether it’s a wish for improvement or a positive story about how the REGIM has helped them. Let’s continue this conversation and work towards a greener future for our region. 

Full disclosure Arthur Poirier-Roy works for the Cegep.

Small Steps, Big Impact: Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles & REGIM partner for a greener Gaspésie  Read More »

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