Quebec tuition fee timeline

An outline of tuition fee increases in Quebec from the 1970s to the present day.

1970-1985 

Tuition fees: $500

1985
Tuition fees: $500
The Parti Quebecois wanted to increase student tuition fees by $47. The students threatened to strike and the PQ gave up their attempt.

1986
Tuition fees: $500
The Liberals proposed an increase in tuition fees by $47. Students went on strike for two weeks and Premier Robert Bourassa kept the tuition freeze.

1990
Tuition fees: $500
The Liberals proposed an increase of $280 each year over four years. Students protested in Montreal and Rimouski for a month. Bourassa held his position and the increase went through.

1994
Tuition fees: $1668

1996
Tuition fees: $1668
The Parti Quebecois tried to increase tuition fees. After a month of protests, Education Minister Pauline Marois kept the tuition freeze, but imposed a fine on CEGEP students who failed more than five classes.

2005
Tuition fees: $1668
The Liberal government changed $103 million worth of bursaries into student loans. The students protested for eight weeks.

2006-2007
Tuition fees: $1668
The Liberal Minister of Education, Jean-Marc Fournier changed $103 million worth of loans back to bursaries.

2007
Tuition fees: $1668
The Liberals announced a tuition fee increase of $500 over a period of five years. The students responded with a relatively week protest lasting a few weeks and the increase was confirmed.

2012
Tuition fees: $2168
The Liberals proposed a tuition fee increase of $325 each year for five years. Student protests started February 14, 2012 and are ongoing.

2017
Tuition fees: $3793