The Cégep de Baie-Comeau Student Association offers solutions against financial insecurity

The General Association of Cégep de Baie-Comeau Students offers three concrete solutions to alleviate the burden of financial insecurity. The question of remuneration for internships remains a central issue for students.

At Cégep de Baie-Comeau, students in several programs must complete unpaid internships, forcing them to juggle precarious jobs and their studies. Despite repeated commitments from the government, 84% of interns in Quebec CEGEPs and universities still receive no remuneration.

Focus on studies

“Our students deserve to be able to focus on their studies without being burdened by the uncertainty of whether they will be able to put food on the table or pay their basic fees. It is time for concrete measures,” comments the president of the Baie-Comeau Student Association Cassandre Lévesque.

“Today, too many of us students are forced to juggle jobs, studies and unpaid internships. This model is untenable. We must ensure that each student can succeed without having to sacrifice their health or their future,” adds a nursing student at Cégep de Baie-Comeau, Mika-Ève Bouchard.

This situation forces many students to seek paid employment alongside their studies, even though they sometimes devote up to 40 hours per week to their internship. The student movement is asking the government to release the necessary funds to ensure remuneration for internships, thus allowing young people to devote themselves fully to their learning.

“Let’s reverse the weight of precariousness”

The Baie-Comeau Association launched the “Let’s reverse the weight of precariousness” campaign with the Quebec College Student Federation on Friday. She speaks on behalf of 200,000 students across Quebec.

Quebec CEGEP students are also asking the government to update financial aid for studies and subsidize initiatives against food insecurity.

“We have identified clear and achievable solutions to counter student precariousness. Now, it is up to the government to answer the call and ensure that access to studies is not synonymous with a daily struggle to survive,” declares the president of the Federation, Antoine Dervieux.