Quebec graduate students push for increased financial support amid rising costs

Graduate students say current bursaries are insufficient, forcing many to work extra jobs or abandon research.

Graduate research students in Quebec are demanding that the province do more to support them financially.

Matteo Delabre, a PhD student in bioinformatics and computer science at the Universite de Montreal, says that despite leading innovative research in his field, he’s far from earning a livable wage.

“Twenty-five thousand dollars is well below the poverty line in Montreal and in most of Quebec,” says Delabre, who, like many graduate students, relies on Quebec’s bursary program to fund his research.

These bursaries, which are also meant to serve as a salary, are often insufficient to meet basic living expenses.

“As a PhD student, I’m supposed to do full-time research—40 hours a week,” says Delabre.

But to cover basic expenses, such as rent and groceries, he often has to work over 30 hours a week— leaving him with 20 hours, at most, for his research.

Delabre adds that this leaves little time to focus on publishing results, some of which have been delayed for up to two years.

“I just don’t have time to write everything up,” Delabre says. “It’s really frustrating.”

Delabre is not alone in his frustration. He is part of a coalition of student associations, professors, and researchers calling for a boost to Quebec’s merit-based scholarships.

The provincial government increased the value of these scholarships in 2023. Master’s students now receive $20,000 per year, and PhD students are awarded $25,000. However, many say it’s still not enough.

Étiénne Paré, president of Quebec’s student union, is calling on the provincial government to do more.

“We need to see the government take their responsibility in hand and do the work,” he says. “We need better student financial aid.”

He points to a troubling trend: more graduate students relying on food banks, and others even abandoning their research because they can’t afford to continue.

“This is an investment that will pay off in the long run for Quebec’s society,” says Paré.

Meanwhile, the federal government recently increased its own scholarship funding, raising the amount for master’s students to $27,000 and $40,000 for PhD students. Paré is hoping the provincial government will match those increases.

“We want Quebec to follow the federal government’s lead,” Paré says.

In response to questions from CTV News, a spokesperson for Quebec’s Economy Ministry acknowledged the value of graduate students but added that they would not comment further until the next budget is tabled.

For Paré, the issue goes beyond just financial aid—it’s about the future of research in Quebec.

“If we want to tackle big issues like climate change or an aging population, investing in research is the first step,” says Paré.

For now, both Delabre and Paré are hoping the provincial government will listen and invest in the future of science.