Concordia cancels some classes as QC students launch 2 weeks of protests

Hundreds of students gathered in Montreal yesterday to launch 2 weeks of strikes to protest provincial budget cuts and to demand a moratorium on fossil fuel investment. 25 student associations from institutions including Université de Montréal, Université du Québec à Montréal, Laval University, Concordia University, CEGEP du Vieux-Montréal, and Université du Québec à Chicoutimi have so far voted to take part in the protests; activists said that they hope this year's demonstrations will become even larger than the so-called Maple Spring of 2012. Concordia University cancelled some classes on Monday in anticipation of the protest. Spokesperson Christine Mota said that the university would use the time for a day of discussion and debate, but that classes would resume on Tuesday even if the strike continued. "Students have a right to protest. We understand that. We respect that, but closing off classes or trying to block access is not acceptable," she said. By noon on Monday, Montreal police had declared an initial protest at Phillips Square illegal because an itinerary had not been provided. At least 2 people were arrested while others were ticketed. CBC (1) | CBC (2)