After almost 6 months of action by CEGEP students and two months since official joint University-CEGEP strikes began to be launched, groups representing Quebec CEGEP, and University students have decided to call an end to the Quebec student strike.
The strike came to a close after student groups voted to accept a Charest government offer to reinvest $482 million into grant and loan programs over the next 5 years. This reinvestment would include restoring the $70 million that was cut last year precipitating the student action.
The student strike was an example of grass roots activism and persistent campaigning. The students used many different methods to call attention to their cause, including asking supporters to wear a small red felt patch in solidarity.
Not all techniques were so tidy. One incident that grabbed national headlines saw 103 mice released into Quebec Premier Jean Charest's office, intended to represent the combined $103 million to be cut from grant and loan programs this year and last.
Despite the agreement, the groups representing Quebec students have assured their constituents that this fight is for the long haul, promising that "if Mr. Charest wants to break this agreement next year, or decides to increase tuition-fee levels, well, there will be a fight on his hands.”
http://old.uwstudent.org/article.php?story=20050412165230631