Over 800 applications rejected at Cégep de l’Outaouais

Drazen Seslija

As the start of the academic year approaches, Cégep de l’Outaouais is welcoming a record number of students—5,900—but is also grappling with a significant lack of space, forcing the rejection of over 800 applications. The growth in the student population continues to put considerable pressure on the institution's infrastructure. This increase is a trend observed for several years in the Outaouais region, where population growth and the rising number of high school graduates contribute to the surge in applications for college studies.

According to Steve Brabant, Director General of Cégep de l’Outaouais, despite all the efforts made to optimize schedules and maximize the use of facilities, several programs are reaching their maximum capacity. Demand continues to exceed available capacity. The rejections primarily affect programs with limited enrollment or those whose specialized facilities are already operating at full capacity.

The college administration highlighted that several expansion projects are underway to increase capacity. These include the new academic wing on the Gabrielle-Roy campus, which has allowed the college to accommodate more students this year. The administration is also exploring the implementation of evening classes as a solution. In addition, the Quebec government has confirmed significant investments in recent years to support the development of college infrastructure in the region.

For many students, the rejections mean having to change their program choice, postpone their studies, or consider an institution located outside the region. The 2026 academic year is therefore beginning with growth for Cégep de l’Outaouais, but also with the challenge of finding sufficient space to accommodate the region's student population in the short and long term.