LaSalle College, a private Montreal institution, has filed for creditor protection in Quebec Superior Court due to nearly $48 million in debt, including $29 million in penalties for exceeding quotas on English-language students and $18 million in overpaid subsidies. The college argues the penalties are unfair and excessive, while the government maintains that LaSalle knowingly exceeded its quota for two consecutive years. LaSalle exceeded its authorized quota by 716 students in 2023-24 and 1,066 students in 2024-25, resulting in $29 million in fines. Classes at the college remain suspended due to withheld provincial subsidies.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-25,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
LaSalle College, a private institution in Montreal, has filed for creditor protection in Quebec Superior Court after facing $48 million in debt to the Quebec government. The college claims that $29 million of this amount is in penalties for exceeding quotas on English-language students, while $18 million is in overpaid subsidies. According to the college, these penalties are unfair and excessive, as they were due to the required government authorizations. The institution argues that changes tied to Quebec's French-language law have reduced its capacity to admit English-speaking students by around 1,000 students, leading to this debt crisis. Classes at LaSalle College remain suspended until provincial subsidies are restored, which are currently withheld due to these fines.
Written for “LaSalle College Financial Trouble” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
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Leaning score +0.35 for article 2383 (medium confidence, 2 verified quotes) · logged 2026-08-27
LaSalle College has filed for creditor protection in Quebec Superior Court as it faces nearly $48 million in debt to the Quebec government.
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it → file → government
The private Montreal institution says the amount includes more than $29 million in penalties for exceeding quotas on English-language students and nearly $18 million in overpaid subsidies.
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amount → say → subsidies
The court granted the college a 10-day protection period to allow negotiations with the provincial government.
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court → grant → government
LaSalle College says the penalties are unfair and excessive, arguing the students were legally admitted with the required government authorizations.
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students → say → authorizations
The college says the debt threatens its ability to operate and is seeking a new repayment agreement with Quebec.
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debt → say → Quebec
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Students had been scheduled to return to class Thursday, but the college says classes will remain suspended until provincial subsidies, which have been withheld because of the fines, are restored.
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which → get → fines
A college spokesperson said changes tied to Quebec’s French-language law have reduced the number of English-speaking students the institution can admit, creating a shortfall of roughly 1,000 students.
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institution → say → students
The fines stem from legislation adopted in 2022 that imposed limits on enrolment in English-language college programs.
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that → stem → programs
According to the Higher Education Ministry, LaSalle exceeded its authorized quota by 716 students in 2023-24 and by 1,066 students the following year, resulting in penalties totalling more than $29 million.
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LaSalle → accord → million
The ministry says the college knowingly exceeded its quota for two consecutive years.
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college → say → years
While LaSalle complied with the limits last year, the ministry maintains the rules were clear and that other institutions followed them.
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institutions → comply → them
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advocates → bring → rule
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Alberta → delay → schools
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The college is also required to repay $17.9 million in subsidies received last year, bringing its total debt to nearly $48 million.
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college → require → million
College director Claude Marchand called the penalties “unfair and unprecedented” and said no company could survive a $30-million fine.
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company → call → fine
He said the institution has presented the government with potential solutions and is asking for a realistic repayment schedule as well as authorization to launch a new science program.
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institution → say → program
