On Friday, members of the Indian-Montreal Youth Students Organisation protested outside the Canadian consulate in Chandigarh, demanding a refund from three Montreal-based Colleges, which were shut abruptly.
According to The Tribune report, the institutes are Collège de comptabilité et de secrétariat du Québec (CCSQ), College de I’Estrie (CDE) and M College, owned by the Mastantuono family who had filed for creditor protection.
The protesting students raised slogans against the Canadian Government and sought an immediate refund.
“Soon after learning about the status of these colleges, we requested a refund. As per rules, the refund process should be initiated within 45 days. These colleges kept us in the dark all this while,” said Husan Bawa, a student.
M College and CDE College were among ten private colleges investigated for their doubtful recruitment practices. The process had put a hold on the processing of Quebec Acceptance Certificates (CAQ), international document students have to obtain for their study permit.
“This all started last year. Students asked for refunds. The college authorities and even the agents kept us in dark. The college asked students to carry on with online classes,” Simranpreet Kaur told the Tribune.
“In 2014, members of the Mastantuono family were arrested by Quebec’s permanent anti-corruption unit (UPAC) for an alleged set of the Lester B Pearson School Board. The students have paid nearly Rs 10 lakh each for their admissions and other permits,” said Lovepreet Singh.
The protesting students, however, met Canadian consulate officials in Chandigarh.
“The officials ensured us of a solution within a week. If things don’t work out, we will organise a huge protest in Ludhiana on February 23,” said Simranpreet, a student.
