Thousands of students protested in Montreal's downtown overnight, angered by the Quebec government's announcement that it would suspend the current semester for many college and university students until August.

Thousands of students are protesting in Montreal's downtown, angered by the Quebec government's announcement that it would suspend the current semester for many college and university students until August.

Quebec will table a special law to allow boycotting students to eventually finish their school semester, while taking a summer break to "restore calm" in the three-month old tuition crisis.

The opposition is demanding to know what steps have been taken to address security concerns over foreign companies operating in Canada's telecommunications industry, in the wake of a CBC News report about a Chinese firm's contracts in Canada.

Quebec's Liberal government responds forcefully to the student crisis, after groups appeal against any special law.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Public Safety Minister Vic Toews say security concerns raised about a Chinese firm operating in Canada were taken care of, but opposition MPs want proof and more transparency.