Act 14 and How It Affects You
Registration is now open for September 2024 and Winter 2025. Consult our programs authorized by the Ministry of Higher Education. We also offer institutional certificate courses.
You might have heard about Quebec’s new language law and how it might affect your learning experience. We’ve put together this article to give you all of the important information you need to know and how Cestar College, Campus Longueuil will be able to help.
What is Act 14?
French is the predominant language of Quebec. Act 14 is legislation that is meant to promote and protect the French language within Quebec. It is the result of Bill 96, which was passed in May 2022.
This act makes changes to the Charter of the French Language (better known as Bill 101) as well as several other acts, such as the General and Vocational Colleges Act.
How It affects college students
Admissions Limit
A limit has been imposed on English colleges for admissions in Quebec. The total enrollment of students from all English colleges in the province cannot exceed 17.5% of the total student population in all Québec institutions, French and English.
Certificate of Eligibility
Starting in Fall 2023, individuals who begin an English AEC program without a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) must show that they have sufficient proficiency in French.
To receive a Certificate of Eligibility for Instruction in English (COE), certain criteria must be met. For example, an individual or a member of their family may get the certificate if they gained most of their primary or secondary education in Canada through English-speaking schools.
Generally, international students are ineligible for this opportunity, but some exceptions may apply.
For further details please visit the ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur website.
If you are eligible, the ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur will provide your COE to Cestar College, Campus Longueuil and it will automatically appear in your student file. Students with a certificate of eligibility to receive instruction in English (COE) must be given priority for admission as of the winter 2024 semester.
Language Based Exit Exams
All college students in Quebec must pass a language exit exam for their diploma of College Studies. In the Fall 2023 semester, those with a certificate are expected to take and pass the English Exit Exam while those without one must complete and pass the French Exit Exam at the conclusion of their program.
Students admitted to the Fall 2024 semester who are certificate holders will have to take courses in French.
These students will have the following option:
Students admitted in the Fall 2024 semester who are not eligible to receive instruction in English will take, as part of their program :
This requirement is new, since all students currently complete their courses in English, with the exception of second language courses.
Free French Courses to Secure Your Future
Cestar College, Campus Longueuil is dedicated to the success of our students. To that end, Cestar College, Campus Longueuil will be providing Free French Language courses to our students who enroll in any of our AEC or DEC programs for the Fall 2023 Term before September 1, 2023!
Through these French courses will help you gain a strong base in the language and attain a level that is required by the Quebec Ministry of Education for your graduation.
If you have any questions or concerns about how Act 14 will affect you then don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@cestarcollege.com.