The Quebec government says it has reached a deal with the province’s English-language universities to increase the percentage of out-of-province students who are capable of having basic conversations in French by the time they complete undergraduate degrees
Quebec says the initiative is to protect and promote the French language
Charlotte Glorieux · The Canadian Press · Posted: Jun 16, 2026 12:14 PM EDT | Last Updated: 1 hour ago
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Higher Education Minister Martine Biron says the goal of this initiative is to help protect and promote French in Quebec. (The Canadian Press/Karoline Boucher)
The Quebec government says it has reached a deal with the province’s English-language universities to increase the percentage of out-of-province students who are capable of having basic conversations in French by the time they complete undergraduate degrees.
The province says it will provide about $20 million per year to the universities over the next eight years as part of the deal.
Quebec expects about 60 per cent of out-of-province students in undergraduate programs at McGill, Concordia and Bishop’s to have basic French-speaking skills by graduation.
Officials from the universities say they are far from this target at the moment, but are confident they can achieve it.
Higher Education Minister Martine Biron says the voluntary initiative is designed to help protect and promote French in Quebec.
University leaders say they will use the new funding to support additional French courses, immersion activities and other learning opportunities.
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