Free Education for All
This campaign was created to highlight the fact that a decline in public funding for education is a key factor in the exacerbation of financial pressures for students and the deterioration in the quality of academic programmes, student services, and campus infrastructure.
Free Education for All - One Voice United, Our Vote Ignited is our revamped Education for All campaign, propelled by the Federation’s 2024 Lobby Week, titled “Our Vote, One Voice."
This campaign was created to highlight the fact that a decline in public funding for education is a key factor in the exacerbation of financial pressures for students and the deterioration in the quality of academic programmes, student services, and campus infrastructure. This has resulted in students facing increased costs to access essential resources, thereby creating a cycle of inequality and hindering opportunities for upward social mobility through education. These cuts to education not only affect accessible education for students but also exacerbate colonial practices that continue to harm marginalized and racialized folks. Additionally, these exorbitant fees are not only a huge step backwards from our goals of FREE and ACCESSIBLE EDUCATION, but they perpetually keep students in mountains of debt – affecting their livelihood and mental health.
Over the years, politicians and government officials have made false promises to students, promising changes and investments in Post-Secondary Education, in order to collect their vote. As a federation, we have consistently held these politicians accountable to their words with persistent lobbying and campaigns that address pertinent issues to students. Irrespective of our continued efforts, we continue to see a drastic decline in the steps towards Free and Accessible education.
During the federal election campaign period, the Federation undertook a non-partisan voter information initiative to ensure student issues remained a key part of the national conversation. We contacted the leaders of all major political parties with a series of crucial questions on topics central to the Federation's priorities, including affordable housing, fairness for international students, and the path towards a system of free post-secondary education. Based on their responses and platform commitments, a comprehensive analysis and comparison of the party platforms was conducted. This analysis was then published and widely disseminated on our website and social media channels to provide students with the necessary information to make an informed decision at the ballot box. Our top 5 priorities in this past election were based on student consultation and are as follows:
- Free and Accessible Education
- Affordable and Sustainable Cost of Living
- Fairness for International Students
- Funding Francophone Education and
- Funding Indigenous Student Learning & Communities.
