Quebec student associations cheer PQ tuition freeze

Pauline Marois made some big announcements on her first day as Quebec's premier. (Radio-Canada)

Quebec's student associations are claiming victory after Parti Québécois Leader Pauline Marois announced on her first day in office that her government was scrapping the tuition hike and canceling Bill 78.

The PQ cabinet has ordered university tuition hikes introduced by the Liberals to be reversed and voted to dissolve Bill 78, the anti-protest law.

Bill 78 will officially come off the books Friday.

"The increase is cancelled for this year, for 2012-13 and for the next years, we will have the discussion at a summit on education," said Marois during a news conference on Thursday.

The summit is supposed to take place before the end of December.

Martine Desjardins, president of the university students association (FEUQ), and Eliane Laberge, president of the college students association (FECQ) said the PQ's decision is in their favour.

"Today, youth regains the place it was deserved. Education becomes a priority again," said Laberge.

In a news release, the CLASSE said it wanted to thank everyone who mobilized during the student movement and reminds people "that this victory is not the end of the fight and that student and citizen mobilization should continue."

Camille Robert, a spokeswoman for the CLASSE, is quoted saying, "If the Parti Québécois issues measures that are on par with our demands, it's because we upheld our principles and defended them with a combative and grouped effort."

However, the CLASSE does state that it will remain "cautious" of the education summit planned by the PQ. The association said the PQ wants to index tuition fees to the price of living in Quebec.

"Until the summit's conclusion, the hike cancellation is, in a way, a temporary victory. The increase to student financial aid must also be maintained beyond the current [school] year. This is why we will remain mobilized," said Jeanne Reynolds, the co-spokeswoman for the CLASSE.

The association is planning a mass demonstration for free tuition in Montreal and Quebec City on Sept. 22.

The annual tuition fees for the current school year will be capped at $2,168. The government also plans to keep offering financial assistance to students in need.

To compensate for the hike, the Liberals had offered a $39 million increase on student assistance. The PQ said it would keep that amount.

"I think it would be unfair to recuperate this [fund]," said Marois.

Marois said it was important for her to respect her commitments and promises.

She added that more decisions will be made on the financing of universities. Superior Education Minister Pierre Duchesne will be in charge of the file.

Throughout the election campaign, Marois made various promises she said would be implemented within the PQ's first 100 days in power.

- CBC News