The Power of Your Vote: Why Young People Will Decide This Election

Jessie Niikoi
Jessie Niikoi
Sep 20, 2024 2 min read
Hey everyone, You might have heard that there’s a provincial election this Fall, and if you’re anything like me, you’re probably thinking about what’s at stake. The chatter around voting is growing louder, and it’s not just noise—it’s a call to action. This year, young people like us have the...
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Students Return to Campus with Optimism Amidst Financial Challenges

BC Federation of Students
BC Federation of Students
Sep 03, 2024 2 min read
NEW WESTMINSTER—As students across the province head to college and university campuses today, the energy is high, and hope is in the air. Along with the excitement of a new year, students are also facing incredible financial challenges as they balance paying tuition, buying new textbooks and course materials, all...
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BCFS Successful in Challenging Vancouver Island University’s Effort to Limit Students’ Rights

BC Federation of Students
BC Federation of Students
Aug 19, 2024 9 min read
An Update for Members on the BC Federation of Students Intervention in Vancouver Island University’s Injunction Request Against the VIU Palestine Solidarity Encampment On July 15, 2024, Vancouver Island University (VIU) commenced a civil action in the Supreme Court of British Columbia, seeking injunctive relief and damages from the VIU...
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Celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day: Honoring our Culture and Embracing Diversity

Leah Vaisanen
Leah Vaisanen
Jun 21, 2024 2 min read
National Indigenous Peoples Day is a day in which our people gather for a vibrant and vital occasion to recognize and celebrate our beautiful culture, history, and all the work Indigenous people are doing across the nation. This day on the calendar is more than just a date, it is everyday. It is a time to reflect, educate, and engage with the diverse traditions and histories of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
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Students React to Government of Canada’s Budget 2024

BC Federation of Students
BC Federation of Students
Apr 18, 2024 5 min read
The Federal government’s Budget 2024 contains a number of investments for young Canadians that take aim at affordability and generational fairness, specifically by targeting programs that serve younger Canadian’s aspirations. The budget includes measures that will help young people including investments in housing, loan forgiveness for students graduating from specific programs that choose to work in rural and remote communities, and investments in mental health and employment supports for young people. It also includes investments to support low-income and Indigenous learners; while these investments were smaller than students were hoping for, they are steps in the right direction during a cost-of-living crisis.
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BC Budget 2024: No Funding Cuts, yet no Critical Investments Either

BC Federation of Students
BC Federation of Students
Mar 05, 2024 5 min read
BC government’s Budget 2024 fails to address the critical needs of students and institutions. For years, students have been calling for the government to significantly invest in public post-secondary institutions to decrease the financial burden downloaded to students by tuition fees. Though Budget 2024 provided investments of a billion dollars in capital projects across the post-secondary sector and did not present funding cuts to the post-secondary sector, it still fails to make up for decades of decreased operational budgets of institutions. Further, it has no fiscal measures that address the impending budgetary complications brought on by the federal government’s 35% reduction and cap on international student permits.
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BCFS Reacts to Provincial Announcement on International Education

BC Federation of Students
BC Federation of Students
Feb 01, 2024 4 min read
The British Columbia Federation of Students (BCFS) commends the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills for unveiling a plan with several measures aimed at curbing exploitive practices seen in the recruitment of international students, including a new requirement to provide fee transparency. “We know that international students need more protection when they come to Canada and that international education requires further oversight to address the unregulated growth and lack of appropriate student supports across the country,” said Melissa Chirino, Chairperson of the BCFS. “This a good first step and an acknowledgment of what we have been saying over the years. But more needs to be done.”
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BC Federation of Students Reacts to Federal Government’s Cap on International Study Permits

BC Federation of Students
BC Federation of Students
Jan 24, 2024 3 min read
On January 22, the federal government announced its plan to cap international study permits being issued, for two years, beginning in September 2024. The British Columbia Federation of Students (BCFS) applauds the federal government for taking action to stop the exploitation faced by international students at post-secondary institutions. However, the BCFS is concerned about the lack of coordination between the federal and provincial governments.
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