Thousands were on strike across the province on Thursday
Thousands of students assembled at Lineaire De La Commune Park in Old Montreal on Thursday to protest provincial austerity measures.
The march was organized by L’Association pour une solidarité syndicale étudiante (ASSÉ) to coincide with strikes by the public sector, including teachers who are still negotiating their contracts with the province. Around 50,000 students across Quebec were on strike.
At Concordia, two undergraduate programs were on strike: the Liberal Arts Society (LAS) and the School of Community and Public Affairs Student Association (SCPASA). The Sociology and Anthropology Graduate Student Association (SAGSA) and the Graduate Philosophy Students Association (GPSA) were also on strike.
This protest is in the wake of the Oct. 29 announcement that the Quebec Government would be investing over $1 billion into Bombardier, who that same day announced a $4.9 billion third-quarter loss.
Students started gathering at the park at 1 p.m., then marched up St. Laurent Boulevard, working their way downtown and eventually stopping at the intersection of Ste. Catherine Street and Berri Street. Police in riot gear walked alongside the protesters for the duration of the march, which remained peaceful.