A provincial initiative that left post-secondary student groups with less funding has been overturned, to the relief of Thunder Bay’s local student unions.
In May of this year, the Canadian Federation of Students and the York Federation of Students filed an administrative legal challenge to the province’s Student Choice Initiative. The Initiative allowed students to opt-out of student fees supporting various programs and student groups.
On Thursday, the Divisional Court released its decision declaring the Student Choice Initiative unlawful.
However, Lakehead University’s student union is waiting for more details on the decision. President Masoud Manzouri admits LUSU is excited about what they know so far.
“We’re looking forward to having everything back like what it was in the past, but it’s the initial ruling and there’s not [much] information about it.”
Manzouri expects there to be plenty of focus on the decision at this weekend’s Canadian Federation of Students National General Meeting.
Confederation College’s student union calls it a good first step. SUCCI President Vignesh Viswanathan says it acknowledges the important role that student groups play at post-secondary schools.
He does echo Manzouri’s comments, noting “This is too early [to predict the effects] because this was the first decision, and the government still has the opportunity to appeal.”
