Canadian Federation of Students: Dictating thought for 26 years

In an all-too-familiar scene, the Canadian Federation of Students comes out swinging for MMP.

September 13th, the Federation sent out a media release ("Students Say: It’s Time To Change The System ") announcing that it had created "Change the System" - a website designated as a lobby for the pro-MMP crew.

"
The Federation points to lagging youth voter turn-out and the growing cynicism associated with strategic voting as issues that would be remedied by an MMP electoral system. Concern about these issues is what led students from across the province, through the Canadian Federation of Students, to research the voting system and endorse the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform.

The overwhelming student support for changing the voting system to MMP is based on the positive results in other jurisdictions, including greater voter choice, fairer election results, and stronger elected representation for traditionally under-represented groups.
"

As usual, a students federation is dictating to students what they do(or should be) thinking. It is completely unacceptable for these types of organizations, who speak in the name of students, to be pursuing political agendas. In particular, it is inappropriate for such an organization to advocate a decision that has no direct impact on students, and may even be against the best interest of those students.

I take no issue with these organizations advocating reduced tuition levels(although I may not agree that tuition levels are too high), as lowering tuition fees can be beneficial to students(keeping in mind it could potentially carry negative consequences as well).

The Canadian Federation of Students is at the fore-front of the anti-rightwing elements facing students around the nation. They are the epicenter of "progressive" student unions; and like the individual unions, needs to be overhauled.

Possibly most insidious is that this organization pushes its political agenda by posing as a student-interests group.

Not surprisingly they also supported the recent CUPE 2424 strike, that reduced services to Carleton Students(I may finally have tutorials and workbooks this week).

It's time for a change.
It's time to take back our schools.

Stay tuned as I will be focusing a good deal more on Canadian Student Issues (with particular focus on the Carleton University Students Association).

Be sure to direct comments and questions about the media release to:

Contact: Jen Hassum,
Chairperson Tel: 416-925-3825
Alt. tel: 416-832-9073
email: chair@cfsontario.ca

Contact: Joel Duff, Organiser
Tel: 416-925-3825
Alt. tel: 416-707-0349
email: organiser@cfsontario.ca