QUEBEC—Emergency legislation tabled by the Quebec government to stamp out a turbulent student crisis contains provisions for heavy fines for students and their federations.

Fines range from $7,000 to $35,000 for a student leader and between $25,000 and $125,000 for unions or student federations if someone is prevented from entering an educational institution.

Bill 78 also lays out strict regulations governing student protests, including giving eight hours’ notice for protest itineraries.

The bill was tabled in the National Assembly Thursday evening and will be voted on Friday. Debate was expected to last through the night. If passed, the Charest government’s law would also pause the current academic session for striking students and have it resume in August.

Charest announced plans for the legislation a day earlier, in a move met by swift condemnation from student leaders, left-wing opinion-makers and even the provincial bar association.

Thousands of angry protesters instantly swarmed Montreal’s streets for a tumultuous, late-night demonstration. Windows were smashed, protesters and police officers were injured, and more than 120 people were arrested.

Polls suggest Charest’s unpopular government, facing a long-shot re-election bid, might actually have public support for its tuition hikes. The premier has responded angrily in recent weeks when accused of encouraging a climate of confrontation for his own political benefit.

Bracing for more of that criticism, the provincial government bought ads in Thursday’s newspapers explaining how it has already made several adjustments to its tuition plans to soften the impact on the poorest students.

The ads emphasized a point Charest is keen for people to understand: 70 per cent of Quebec students have already finished their semester and aren’t boycotting classes.

As for the rest, Charest’s legislation would:

• Temporarily halt the spring semester at faculties paralyzed by the walkouts;

• Push up the summer holidays, with students being reconvened earlier in August;

• Allow students to complete their previous semester, before starting the fall one in October.

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