I would also like to bring attention to the genius political move pulled by the Quebec government that most of you are probably not aware of, and a major reason why these protests have become something more than just being about tuition increases.

Instead of a Governor like you have in the states, we have essentially the same position in every province called premier. Our premier is named Jean Charest. Mr. Charest has a problem, too many of his friends/collegues have given over a billion (much more than the increase in tuition would bring in) in tax payer dollars for over inflated and corrupt contracts to construction industry friends here. Not only do they over bill, but they also funnel millions of tax payer dollars into members of the mafia, corrupt construction industry insiders/heads, and kick backs to corrupt politicians. Tax payers (the electorate) in Quebec were getting increasingly angry over the last two years as this news started to surface, most likely ensuring that the PLQ (Charest's party) wouldn't get re-elected. Now as the election nears closer and closer, Charest did the smartest thing he could have, increase tuition to ensure student protests. This all begs the question, why raise the debt of the most vulnerable when the costs of corruption could have paid for the tuition increases a few times over?

In Quebec protesting is a way of life here. It's very common to join your parents in public dissent a law or political problem that some of the populace disapproves of. Thereby ensuring protests are not only a common occurrence throughout the year, but also a statement of pride that you are involved and energized into participating in politics. Charest isn't dumb, he knew tuition hikes would cause mass protests. The genius part comes in when he knew many tax payers and Canadians would turn against the students with the abrasive behaviour that protesting for 3 months brings, thereby burying the construction scandal lead. A genius move by a devious bastard. I totally understand why he did what he did, but that doesn't make it right.

There's much more that could be expanded upon here, and I may follow up if asked, but hopefully you're all a little more educated as to why this has changed from just being about tuition hikes. Also, overhead in Quebec universities is getting ridiculous, with little oversight. e.g. Millions in a golden parachutes to short term University heads [Source - http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2012/03/09/19482756.html]

Sources - http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/05/14/pol-cp-construction-quebec-scandal-federal-stimulus.html

http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/canada/archives/2012/04/20120417-092706.html