New ON legislation could badly damage student life, democracy: CASA

“The Government of Ontario recently announced changes to post-secondary education in the province that have serious ramifications for students,” writes the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations. The statement comes in response to the Ontario government’s recent announcement that it plans to give students the ability to opt-out of paying a number of existing student fees at colleges and universities, which may include those that support student unions. The statement notes that the government’s emphasis on individual students’ freedom of choice neglects the fact that certain communal goods are only made possible with universal buy-in. It further notes that “It’s disappointing to see government positioning this move as being ‘for the students,’ when in fact these services exist on campus because students democratically voted to have them.” CASA (ON)