“Malicious middlemen” are taking advantage of the business model of Quebec educational institutions by relying on recruiting international students to fill their programs. This model undermines students' commitment to Quebec culture, says the French language commissioner.
“There are between 10 and 15 colleges and vocational training institutions in the Montreal region that have adopted this model,” condemned Commissioner Benoit Dubreuil, presenting his report on international students.
He cites LaSalle College, TAV College, Comprehensive College and Teccart Institute as examples.
“Rules of the game [de financement] pushed them in that direction,” he said. “To me this is problematic and it should never have come to this.”
Currently, most programs are aimed at students from French-speaking Africa.
Fees for malicious intermediaries
Studying in Quebec can cost between $20,000 and $30,000 for DEP tuition. Establishments cooperate with recruitment agencies and not very transparent African consultants who charge a commission for each registration.
“These are intermediaries, often overseas, who take a portion of the tuition fee in exchange for recruiting the student. These organizations also control communications between the college and the student,” Mr. Dubreuil explained.
It happens that establishments receive up to 150 applications for registration with the same address and credit card.
“We assume that there is someone behind this who prepares the files. There is some kind of factory that manages all this,” he noted.
These intermediaries can receive several thousand dollars per student.
In Africa, TikTok influencers are also trying to attract students to Quebec programs.
“There are a lot of influencers who ask to be contacted via private messages,” Mr. Dubreuil said.
The model has been criticized
The commissioner criticizes programs aimed at recruiting international students, which he considers detrimental to students' integration into Quebec culture.
“These are not favorable conditions for integration, since students can study in Quebec without contact with Quebecers,” he stressed. A situation that could consolidate prejudices and stereotypes, he warns.
“This is contrary to the goals associated with the French language, which are aimed not only at learning the French language, but also at respecting the culture of Quebec.”
To promote integration, “we need contact between international students and Quebecers,” he insists.
This model also involves significant risks for institutions and students who invest significant amounts.
“As soon as there is a change in immigration policy, the model breaks down,” he explains.
Clear recommendations
Among the eleven recommendations in his report, the commissioner wants to end programs that rely primarily on international recruitment. He proposes that each university limit the share of foreign students to 15%.
Institutions that do not comply must reduce their capacity to issue Certificates of Acceptance of Quebec (CAQs).
Since 2018, the number of international students undergoing vocational training has increased from 4,852 to 11,311 in 2023.
