Part 2 - The ideological choice of the government is for increased tuition fees

This is Part 2 of the CLASSE negotiating committee`s report on the break-down in talks with the Quebec government. Check out Part 1 of this report to see the earlier description of the participants in the negotiation, the first days, as well as links to the French-language original. Please note that this document has been edited and with some explanatory notes. The headings and translation are by RY magazine with special thanks to Roxanne Bélanger.

Back to the table, back to tax-talk

Wednesday at 3h30 pm we go back in our beige room with the government. Michelle [Courchesne, Minister of Education] tells us again that an increase of $0.00 is impossible. Instead, there is a proposal for a kind of tuition hike freeze. This means keeping the 2007 hike, with a further increase of $100.00 per year.

CLASSE states that we didn`t agree with this increase back in 2007 and our position hasn't changed.  [The Minister of Education] also refuses to make any changes to the IQEE (Incitatif Québécois d'Épargne-Études or in English, Québec education savings incentive]

Part 1: How the Quebec government ripped up the student's proposals and walked away from the negotiating table

This document reprints part one of an assessment and summary of the recent negotiations and has been widely circulated among students in Quebec. An important read also for students outside of Quebec, it shows the clash of ideas that is taking place at the negotiation table and major issues of the strike. Written the CLASSE negotiating committee and typed by Carl Oullette last night, the original text is available in French here and, again in French, in PDF here.  RY magazine apologizes for any errors in our rapid translation. The document has been edited and explanations added. We repeat again that this crisis has been created by the government's intransigence, which is shown in black and white in the comments of Quebec Premier Jean Charest below.  Part two is coming soon.

Student leaders from the three main student centrals speak to the press after negotiations
again broke down with the government yesterday following four days of talks in Quebec City.

Assessment and summary of the CLASSE after four days of negotiations.

by Carl Ouellette 
Thursday, 31 May

The CLASSE returns to Quebec for Round 4

For the fourth time, the CLASS was invited back to the negotiation table. On Thursday we recieved a call from Pierre Pilote to tell us that we would meet again after our Congress. On Sunday we had confirmation that the meeting will be held in Quebec City at 14:00. Monday morning we get on board the Justin-négo-mobile. Direction: Quebec City.