Quebec's new student leader wants new tuition talks

liane Laberge says her first act asthe new president for Quebec's federation of college students (FECQ) will be to re-establish communications with the government, after talks aimed at ending a months-long dispute over tuition hikes broke down Thursday.

"We hope that the government will regain contact with us and that we will find a solution that is appropriate for everyone," said Laberge who is taking on the role of president of the FECQ on Friday.

Negotiationscollapsedafter leaders of the student associations rejected two offers fromthe government.

Both proposals would see tuition rise to nearly $4,100 per year by 2020, an increase of 70 per cent overall.

Outgoing president Lo Bureau-Blouin has been an active part of the fight against tuition hikes, joining forces withQuebec's university students federation and CLASSE, the more militant student group,to argue for affordable post-secondary education.

"Its not easy to leave the federation and students I represent in the midst of a crisis that is shaking the province," said Bureau-Blouin.

Bureau-Blouin has served as FECQ presidentfor two one-year terms. His lastterm ended Thursday at midnight.

'We hope that the government will regain contact with us and that we will find a solution for everyone.' liane Laberge, incoming FECQ president

On Saturday, Bureau-Blouin said he was willing to compromise with the government about the amount of a tuition hike.

Quebec Finance Minister Raymond Bachand said Thursday he was surprised by Bureau-Blouins stance on the increase.

"Its interesting, if he comes to the table with an open mind that students should do their fair share, thats an interesting development," said Bachand.

Laberge tolda news conference on Friday that she believed mediation may be required in the negotiations to effectively reach a compromise.

At a morningevent in Vaudreuil, Premier Jean Charest says his door remains open to working out a deal on tuition fee increases.

He also mentioned the government has already made several offers to end the impasse on negotiations, but reiterated that a provincialelection in the next 18 months may be the best way to solve the stalling talks.

Charest and Education Minister Michelle Courchesne both said the CLASSE had also specifically threatened to "disrupt" next weeks Montreal Grand Prix auto race, but spokesperson Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois said those statements were made in jest.

Montreal Mayor Grald Tremblay says he hopes talks between the students and the government will resume.

He says Montreal is a "festive" city and that the city's reputation is at stake as the summer festival season gets underway.

"I can't imagine that some people could put in jeopardy the security of citizens," said Tremblay.

He says security will be a priority ensure protesters are safe, that Montrealers can get around and take advantage of the festivals, and that business owners also don't lose out.