Quebec rallies over tuition crisis rage on - Gayo Lues

Between 200 and 500 protesters took to the streets on Sunday, urging the provincial government to cancel the rises.

The protests came after talks over the tuition hikes reached an impasse on Thursday as Premier Jean Charest’s government walked away from the negotiating table and refused to change its plan to increase the university fees.

Montreal Police have once again considered the march as illegal, saying the protesters did not provide any itinerary. Under the controversial Bill 78, for any demonstration of 50 or more people, police should be informed eight hours in advance and told of the route of the demonstration.

The bill was passed earlier in May in a bid to control student protests across Quebec. However, the move has only served to incite opposition to the provincial government.

On Saturday, thousands of people also joined a demonstration, organized by the student group CLASSE, and expressed their outrage at the lack of progress in handling a crisis that has gripped the province for about four months.

The protesters promised a summer full of student protests if the government failed to resolve the tuition fee dispute.

Organizers of the Montreal Formula One Grand Prix race decided on Saturday to cancel the free opening day of the race following fears that nightly protests could affect the event.

The CLASSE earlier said that the auto race could be used as a platform for the student protests over tuition fee increases.

SAB/MA