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2005 Quebec Student StrikeThe 2005 Quebec student strike, has been ongoing since February 24, 2005. Part of the important popular opposition to the Charest government, it is lead by students of CEGEPs and universities of Quebec, on strike to protest budget cuts of 103 millions in the Grants and Loans program. Background During the 2003 Quebec general election campaign, the Liberal Party of Quebec, lead by Jean Charest, made a promise to freeze education cost. Having to deal with a rough budget, and because of the election promise, the Quebec gouvernement changed the Grants and Loans program by transforming 103 millions of Grants into Loans, nearly doubling the debt of the poorest students. Coalitions representing most CEGEPs and universities, outraged by the new mesure, started to negotiate with the government. Talks and protests, in the form of marches, went on for over a year. Student from most CEGEPs and universities took the streets on April 14, 2004 (the first anniversary of the Charest government taking of power) and November 10, 2004. On strike The strike was initiated on February 24, by students' unions members of the CASSE (Coallition de l'Association pour une solidarit syndicale et tudiante largie) and a few others. The FECQ and FEUQ, federation of CEGEP and university unions, called for a general strike on March 4 and March 9 respectively. By March 15, over 100 000 students were on strike. This turn of events surprised many as these organizations are traditionally opposed to strikes as a negociation tactic. On March 16, 2005 student from traditionally more conservative institutions, such as the cole Polytechnique de Montral, Concordia University and McGill University graduate students joined the strike for 24h. Between 10 000 and 100 000 students ( 80 000 being the number most reported) took the streets for a peaceful march in Montreal, the largest student protest ever staged in Quebec history. At this height of the strike over half the entire student population (230 000 out of 450 000) of Quebec where on strike simultaneously. The even more conservative cole des Hautes tudes Commerciales de Montral and McGill University undergraduates joined the strike on March 18 for 24 symbolic hours. This constitutes the first strike since 1967 for the HEC and the first strike in 40 years for Polytechnique. Another strike peak occured on March 24 during a 10 000 people march in Quebec City. A group of radical protesters came late and happened to take the lead of the march. When the march stopped in some locations, the radicals attempted to cause damage to buildings and to force the manifestation to degenerate, the intervention of pacifist marchers prevented such events from occuring. Agreement On April 2, the student federation and the government reached an agreement that is still left to voted on by the individual student associations during the week. This agreement consist in an immediate 70M CAN$ refunding and a return of the 103M$ for the next 4 years. Symbol The symbol of support for the student strike in question is a small square of red cloth (of about four to five square centimeters) worn upon garnment, in the fashion of activist ribbons. The Parti Qubcois Official Opposition MNAs, to signify their own opposition and relay the voice of the students and citizens, have adopted this symbol in chamber. See also External links Student strike, 2005 Quebec Student strike, 2005 Quebec
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