Students, community groups protest program cuts at La Cité

Students, faculty, their unions and community organizations are protesting a move by Ottawa's La Cité, the largest French-language college in Ontario, to cut nine programs this fall.

Groups opposed to the cuts held a march and rally Thursday, ending in front of MP Marie-France Lalonde's office on Centrum Boulevard in Orléans. During the event, attendees placed candles near a Franco-Ontarian flag as a way to mourn the cuts.

Among the participants was 17-year-old Samuel Pilon, who was accepted into La Cité's television production program in January, but was told in April the program is being suspended. 

"I had two options: go to Quebec or stay here in English. I chose to study at Algonquin College in English because for me, it's important to stay in my region. It's a good program, but it won't be the same. It won't be in my mother tongue," he told Radio-Canada.

"I speak English well, but that would mean giving up on what we fought for and saying that what is happening right now is acceptable," he added in French.

Patricia Dostie, executive director of l'Association pour l'intégration sociale d'Ottawa, said the majority of the association's employees graduated from two programs at the college that are designed to support people with disabilities. She said more than 25 agencies in Ottawa and the Outaouais, and their clients, also rely on those graduates.

"We represent thousands of people with intellectual disabilities who have no voice today," she told Radio-Canada. "Suddenly, employers were left behind ... forgotten. They weren't consulted."

Dostie said she hopes to meet with Lynn Casimiro, the college's president and CEO, to discuss possible solutions.

'Status quo is not an option'

The college announced its decision to cut the nine programs in May. As with other colleges that have made similar cuts, Casimiro cited decline in international student enrolment, a key source of revenue.

"The status quo is not an option. If the college does not take the measures we are taking now, there will be more cuts later," Casimiro told Radio-Canada.

Additionally, 50 positions including 16 teaching jobs and other unfilled positions, will be eliminated.

The programs being discontinued include:

• Automotive maintenance technician.
• Television production.
• General arts and sciences program — university track.
• Dental care (Levels I and II).
• Occupational therapist assistant and physiotherapist assistant.
• 911 and emergency service dispatch.
• Protection, security and investigation — safety.
• Special education techniques.
• Intervention with people with disabilities.

La Cité's faculty union, which is affiliated with the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), said it plans to file a complaint with the Ontario Labour Relations Board.