On August 28, 2026, students and staff gathered in a rally outside Lasalle College in Montreal after the institution remained closed following its filing for bankruptcy protection.
The college announced earlier in the week that it would suspend all classes and shut its doors while it seeks court protection. The filing disclosed an outstanding debt of almost $48 million owed to the Quebec provincial government.
The rally was organized by a coalition of student groups and faculty representatives who assembled on the campus grounds. Participants carried signs calling for a resolution to the financial crisis and for the continuation of educational services.
Provincial officials have confirmed the amount owed and indicated that the bankruptcy filing triggers a formal process under Quebec law. The government has not yet announced any specific measures to intervene or to provide interim support for affected students.
The closure affects roughly 2,000 currently enrolled students and a staff body of several hundred employees, according to college enrollment data released earlier this month. With the academic term already underway, the suspension leaves many courses unfinished and raises concerns about credit transfer and tuition refunds.
Lasalle College’s administration has indicated that it will work with the court‑appointed trustee to evaluate options for restructuring or liquidation. In the meantime, the rally participants urged the institution to expedite communications and to explore alternatives that could allow students to resume their studies.
The situation adds to a growing list of post‑pandemic financial strains on private colleges in Quebec, where declining enrollments and rising operating costs have pressured several institutions toward insolvency.