More student protests got underway in Montreal and Quebec City on Friday, with groups promising more significant action in the fall.
Although thousands of protesters turned out in the two cities Friday afternoon to protest the proposed tuition fee increases, the number of demonstrators has shrunk, The Canadian Press reports. Evening protests in Montreal now draw no more than 100 people.
But the student groups, who have been protesting since February, say they are getting ready for two key events: the return to school in August, and a possible provincial election in September.
The students say they will concentrate on information campaigns during the summer when many students have jobs, and they plan to hand out pamphlets at Montreal's festivals.
They also plan to stage other events to maintain momentum until the fall.
According to Quebec solidaire MNA Amir Khadir, the students are simply resting before the next big push.
"Anyone counting on the movement running out of steam is making a mistake," Khadir told reporters in Montreal.
"Everyone taking a break today is doing it to bounce back stronger in August and September."
Students have planned strike votes for August, which is when one-third of striking students have been legislated to return to class.
Under, Bill 78, Quebec鈥檚 controversial emergency law, anyone blocking access to schools could be subject to heavy fines.
Protesters targeted the Formula One Grand Prix in Montreal earlier this month, resulting in violent clashes with police and dozens of arrests.
Friday's march in Montreal began at 2:00 p.m. at Place du Canada. Organized by the radical CLASSE student group, no route was provided to police.
FEUQ, released a planned route: the protest would march east on Rene-Levesque Blvd., up Berri St. and St-Denis Blvd. before ending at Jeanne-Mance Park.
With reports from The Canadian Press.
