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Tuition hikes are the culprit behind an increase in student strikes across Canada. The Canadian government's proposal to raise tuition fees by 75% ($1,625) over the next five years has created social unrest among students. Approximately 170,000 students are on strike and rallies have even reached up to 200,000 protesters at a time.
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Although tuition in Québec is the lowest in North America, students still refuse to pay an extra $325 a year. The average tuition rate in Canada is $2,519 while the U.S. average is nearly 12 times this amount at $31,000. Strikers aren't as concerned about the finances as they are the symbolism behind the increases, and the way the government is treating the situation.
Peaceful protesters have been vilified by the media and beat up by police. One student may have even lost partial vision due to a flash-bang grenade fired from close range. Protesters are trying to stop what they feel is the government's attempt to take money from the poor/middle class and transfer it to the rich.
The Québécois youth have dubbed their movement the "Printemps érable," or Maple Spring. This name is a play on the pronunciation which sounds like, "Arab Spring," -- an inspiration for America's occupy movement.
