CFS speaks
Re: We do more than protest, Feb. 12
The Canadian Federation of Students unites more than 450 000 students across Canada, including graduate and full and part-time undergraduate students at U of T. We have won tuition fee freezes and reductions in Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, British Columbia, Quebec and now Ontario.
We successfully fought off regressive income-contingent loan repayment schemes.We speak out for adequate public funding and academic freedom, with many coalition partners. We are respected researchers and lobbyists at the provincial and national levels. We provide cost-saving services to students, including the International Student Identity Card.
If this CASA group wants to take credit for helping Paul Martin increase student debt, that is its prerogative.
Kendra Coulter President,
Graduate Students’ Union Ontario Treasurer,
Canadian Federation of Students
CFS: Protest not useless
Re: Day of inaction, Feb. 9
Having been a “cabinet aid” for the unceremoniously deposed Ernie Eves government, Noel Semple has blessed us with his wisdom on why he opposes freezing and reducing tuition fees. It is no surprise that he sings the same song as his previous leader.
However, I’m not sure if Mr. Semple has been informed that students in Ontario have successfully campaigned for a funded tuition fee freeze.
That victory was won by members of the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) and supporters who presented well-researched briefs to decision-makers locally and provincially, worked strategically with Members of Provincial Parliament, published well-documented editorials and letters in newspapers throughout the province, organized systematically during the provincial election campaign and all the while built broad public support that was demonstrated from time to time through petition campaigns and rallies.
These are the ingredients of a successful campaign, and exactly the methods employed by the CFS that have won tuition fee freezes and reductions in BC, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec and now Ontario.
This September (thanks to the CFS) the majority of students in Canada will not see tuition fee hikes on their fee statements. Pity that here in Ontario, Mr. Semple doesn’t support a student victory that will represent one of the largest single reinvestments in core operating funding that colleges and universities have seen in a decade.
Kelly Holloway
Vice President External
Graduate Students’ Union
Local 19, Canadian Federation of Students
