Quebec student leaders scheduled a Vancouver public forum on tuition fees Tuesday, saying they want to "form alliances" with B.C.'s students against rising post-secondary costs.

Martine Desjardins, president of the Federation etudiante universitaire du Quebec, acknowledged her province has some of the lowest tuition rates nationwide - while B.C. rates among the highest - but stressed that's why West Coast students should take action to reverse that trend.

Desjardins, one of her comrades and the B.C. Federation of Labour were expected to speak at the downtown Vancouver Public Library. They hope to build solidarity countrywide.

"(We're) making sure tuition shouldn't go up by 75% in the province of Quebec," the Francophone PhD student said.

"If you're seeing what's going on in the province of Quebec, and you think it's not going to get to you, be prepared."

But that doesn't necessarily mean immediate public strikes, she cautioned, adding that should only be a last resort.

"(Students) can start doing messages, making calls . making sure you do your homework. When you are sitting in front of the government, you have to be prepared," Desjardins said.

"So you can actually propose a solution to the government. When you get all that information, you've got credibility."

Student strikes in Quebec have dominated headlines since April and generated renewed vigor since the province passed an 'anti-protest' law in May.