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QUEBEC — Premier Pauline Marois says it’s too bad a major Quebec student union group will boycott the province’s much-touted summit on post-secondary education because it’s depriving itself of the right to be heard.

The more hardline ASSE group says it will skip the upcoming summit because the Parti Quebecois government has refused to consider the option of free university tuition.

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Instead, group spokesman Jeremie Bedard-Wien says he’s calling for a large popular and student demonstration during the summit on Feb. 26.

Marois says she regrets the group’s decision and points out the event will discuss a variety of subjects, not just tuition fees.

She won’t rule out a tuition increase tied to inflation.

Many student groups are pushing for a freeze on tuition rates.

Marois says the quality of instruction and research is also on the agenda.

“They are depriving themselves of a place to speak,” Marois said on the way into a caucus meeting. “It’s a shame but that is their choice and I respect it.”