Dawson College expansion project shelved, Quebec to prioritize francophone students

Quebec is not moving ahead with a long-planned expansion to Montreal’s Dawson College, saying the government will instead focus on 'francophone' students.

A letter sent by Dawson College Sunday stated that the English CEGEP said Minister of Higher Education Danielle McCann informed them the infrastructure project would not go forward.

She urged Dawson to explore other options, such as leasing, the letter said. The largest English-speaking CEGEP in Quebec, it was chosen by the CAQ government to be part of a number of infrastructure projects to be carried out on an accelerated basis as part of the province's plan for COVID-19 economic stimulus. “Dawson’s space shortage has long been documented,” the letter read, noting that the CEGEP needs about 11,200 m2 in additional space, or the equivalent of more than 10 typical office floors.

Groups within Dawson and outside experts have worked for more than seven years to develop a project to acquire and build more space to relieve pressure on the main building and accommodate the overflow.

“We are extremely disappointed by the decision,” Diane Gauvin, director general of Dawson College wrote in the letter. “The College will analyze its options and determine the best course of action. We will keep the Dawson Community informed as the situation evolves.”