The Quebec Ministry of Education announced on Monday that it will not renew the operating permits of Collège supérieur de Montréal and Collège supérieur de Sherbrooke, forcing the immediate closure of both institutions and halting all classes. The decision leaves 878 foreign students enrolled at the two schools without a place to continue their studies.
Both colleges had been operating under permits that require periodic renewal by the ministry. The refusal to extend those permits means the schools can no longer legally function, prompting the suspension of instruction and the shutdown of campus facilities in Montreal and Sherbrooke. The ministry cited the need to enforce compliance with the permit renewal process, though no specific violations were disclosed.
The abrupt termination of the colleges' operations directly impacts the academic progress of the affected international students. Many of those enrolled were pursuing programs that are tied to their immigration status, and the loss of a recognized educational institution jeopardises their ability to meet the conditions of their study permits. Without an alternative pathway, students may need to seek transfer to other accredited schools or face potential disruption to their residency status.
The closure highlights the dependence of foreign students on the stability of private post‑secondary providers in Quebec. While the ministry has not provided a timeline for the reallocation of the displaced students, it indicated that it will work with other institutions to facilitate possible transfers. The situation underscores the broader implications of regulatory decisions on the province’s international education sector and the plans of students who travel to Canada for higher education.