New petition fights CFS referendum question
Petitions asking UVic’ers to consider their CFS future have many confused.
A petition has been circulating this semester asking UVic undergrads to consider a referendum questioning their membership in the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS). Now, a counter petition has been created which could overrule the referendum request if it receives more signatures, according to one petitioner.
Toni Gore, a student at Vancouver Island University (VIU) and the director of external relations on the VIU Students’ Union board, has been petitioning on UVic’s campus on behalf of the UVic Student Society (UVSS) and the CFS.
According to the CFS-BC website, Gore is the North Island Students’ Union rep on the CFS-BC executive.
Gore said she came to UVic specifically to collect signatures for both the counter petition and the CFS petition, “Education Shouldn’t Be a Debt Sentence,” which asks the B.C. government to roll back tuition, eliminate interest on B.C. student loans and create a provincial grant program.
“I believe in student solidarity, and I think [getting] students working across the province, and the country, is very important to get things achieved on the national level,” said Gore.
Gore said the counter petition is “about the UVSS continuing to be a member of the CFS.” She said that the UVSS produced it on behalf of the CFS, as a response to the earlier petition calling for a referendum.
At the Oct. 19 UVSS board meeting, Shawn Slavin, a UVic student who has worked as a deputy electoral officer in UVSS elections, said that he’d been approached by Gore, and that he’d also seen two of the four paid UVSS executive directors circulating the counter petition.
“How can you justify spending your paid working hours campaigning in favour of a petition that is not related to your job as chairperson of the UVSS?” Slavin asked Chairperson Veronica Harrison at the meeting.
Harrison said she didn’t start the counter petition, but that after students had been petitioning for a CFS referendum for a month, there were individuals who wanted to work on a petition that represented a different side.
Director-at-Large James Coccola said he was concerned that executives had spent hours petitioning on the day before the UVSS Annual General Meeting (AGM) rather than promoting the AGM.
“When I asked Veronica she said [the petition] was created by [UVSS] members,” said Coccola. “The reality is … it’s a national campaign that’s happened on almost every single campus that’s decided to do a defederation petition.”
Harrison said she had worked on the wording of the counter petition, along with other members, and added that “yes, this is something that’s happening on other campuses.”
“On other campuses, after there had been basically a silent defederation campaign, people went out on the [pro-CFS] side to give some information and clear up misinformation, and I saw that was working well,” Harrison said.
The counter-petition calls on the UVSS board to defend student unity and continue to work with the CFS. It also says “I do not want my name to be counted towards any petition to put to question membership in the Canadian Federation of Students.”
“If those people who sign the opposing petition care to sign this one, we will inform them that it will nullify their other signature, and that they’d be supporting this,” Gore said.
But the counter petition isn’t aimed specifically at students who signed the referendum petition; rather, the new petitioners are asking for general support from all society members.
According to Gore, the aim of the counter petition is to collect more signatures than the petition asking for a CFS referendum.
“If we get a thousand more signatures, then this campaign will be successful and there will not be a referendum,” claimed Gore. “This is written in the bylaws of the CFS.”
Gore isn’t giving copies of the petition to students who ask for them.
“There’re people on the opposing side who would love to get this,” said Gore. “I’ve been told not to give out any copies.”
Slavin said he has no issues with the counter petition itself — his problems are about how it’s being conducted. The UVSS Resource Centre is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and while execs can do UVSS work outside those hours, Slavin said “someone needs to be [available] in the office” for students.
Slavin claims misinformation is being used to promote the counter petition. He said Gore told him he should sign it if he liked the services the UVSS provides, and she also asserted a CFS referendum would be expensive.
“I’ve been involved in running elections for two years,” said Slavin. “I’ve seen four referenda pass, and never was cost raised as an issue. We can do this by doubling it up with the elections on campus — it doesn’t have to cost students a lot of money.”
Slavin also notes the quantities of CFS advertising and numbers of off-campus campaign workers which appeared during the CFS referenda at Simon Fraser University (SFU) and Kwantlen Polytechnic.
“They will probably spend more money trying to keep UVic in the CFS than a referendum would cost,” Slavin concluded.
38 Comments
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Kim Oct. 22, 2009, 10:24 p.m.
Holy Moses!
If the 'counter-petition' can actually nullify the petition based on constructed wording there are serious problems.
The exact wording of the 'defederation' petition is defined in the CFS bylaws. So then we would have a petition (required to defederate) that says whatever the CFS deems it should say AND a petition to nullify the defederation petition which says what the CFS decides is currently politically expedient.
Kim Oct. 22, 2009, 10:24 p.m.
Holy Moses!
If the 'counter-petition' can actually nullify the petition based on constructed wording there are serious problems.
The exact wording of the 'defederation' petition is defined in the CFS bylaws. So then we would have a petition (required to defederate) that says whatever the CFS deems it should say AND a petition to nullify the defederation petition which says what the CFS decides is currently politically expedient.
José Barrios Oct. 23, 2009, 4:38 p.m.
Does any one else see the democratic irony of a counter petition petition? These CFS guys are hilarious!
José Barrios Oct. 23, 2009, 4:38 p.m.
Does any one else see the democratic irony of a counter petition petition? These CFS guys are hilarious!
A Oct. 24, 2009, 1:06 a.m.
Where are tracy ho, christine comrie and rajpreet sall? All executives at the CFS-BC?
A Oct. 24, 2009, 1:06 a.m.
Where are tracy ho, christine comrie and rajpreet sall? All executives at the CFS-BC?
Z Oct. 24, 2009, 6:46 p.m.
no one has asked them anything... the anti-CFS'ers petitioning for a referendum never approached any of these people with their concerns, etc.,... transparency is missing on both sides; neither one is playing the game fairly or
democratically.whatever that means.Z Oct. 24, 2009, 6:46 p.m.
no one has asked them anything... the anti-CFS'ers petitioning for a referendum never approached any of these people with their concerns, etc.,... transparency is missing on both sides; neither one is playing the game fairly or
democratically.whatever that means.Jack Oct. 24, 2009, 11:25 p.m.
Let's say hypothetically the petitioners did approach our CFS representatives on the UVSS board saying something like
I disagree with the way we are doing campaign X. It's not very effective.orI don't agree with policy Y. It really isn't related to the student movement.Do you honestly think anything would come of it?
The reality is that over the years, students HAVE expressed discontent with the way the CFS operates. Instead of being receptive, board members will often instead defend the CFS. Even if a board member agrees, the odds of change coming of this at the CFS level is slim to none.
http://www.martlet.ca/article/20214-cfs-q-receives-legal-threats See what happens when the CFS does try to reform itself?
the CFS’ legal counsel declared that the Quebec branch was no longer a member of the CFS due to being “engaged in activities which have caused and continue to cause damages to the CFS.”Jack Oct. 24, 2009, 11:25 p.m.
Let's say hypothetically the petitioners did approach our CFS representatives on the UVSS board saying something like
I disagree with the way we are doing campaign X. It's not very effective.orI don't agree with policy Y. It really isn't related to the student movement.Do you honestly think anything would come of it?
The reality is that over the years, students HAVE expressed discontent with the way the CFS operates. Instead of being receptive, board members will often instead defend the CFS. Even if a board member agrees, the odds of change coming of this at the CFS level is slim to none.
http://www.martlet.ca/article/20214-cfs-q-receives-legal-threats See what happens when the CFS does try to reform itself?
the CFS’ legal counsel declared that the Quebec branch was no longer a member of the CFS due to being “engaged in activities which have caused and continue to cause damages to the CFS.”Richard Oct. 25, 2009, 3:43 p.m.
“If we get a thousand more signatures, then this campaign will be successful and there will not be a referendum,” claimed Gore. “This is written in the bylaws of the CFS.”
This statement is a complete and utter fabrication. There is absolutely nothing in the CFS Bylaws which state this.
Its also utterly ridiculous that a student from OUTSIDE of UVic is on campus circulating this petition. Let the people choose. These petitions are designed to give people a choice to stay or go. Let the CFS democracy, as the case may be, reign. Let the people have their say!
Richard Oct. 25, 2009, 3:43 p.m.
“If we get a thousand more signatures, then this campaign will be successful and there will not be a referendum,” claimed Gore. “This is written in the bylaws of the CFS.”
This statement is a complete and utter fabrication. There is absolutely nothing in the CFS Bylaws which state this.
Its also utterly ridiculous that a student from OUTSIDE of UVic is on campus circulating this petition. Let the people choose. These petitions are designed to give people a choice to stay or go. Let the CFS democracy, as the case may be, reign. Let the people have their say!
Natalie Bocking Oct. 25, 2009, 3:50 p.m.
A referendum campaign would be very expensive and wasteful. I was a board member of the Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS) at SFU when a CFS membership referendum was held there and despite it being run at the same time as the elections and other referenda, the costs were astronomical. The SFSS
noside campaign cost tens of thousands of dollars. The legal consultations were even more expensive. In addition to the monetary cost, the SFSS didn't have time to work on any campaigns except defederation for a full year. It was a huge waste of time and money and now, because the referendum was not held according to the CFS by-laws, the courts are unsure whether the results are legally valid and the whole thing might have to be redone.Students on campus are so disengaged from the SFSS due to the huge divisive, alienating campaign that dominated the SFSS for a year that no one wants to be involved in the SFSS anymore. This year less than 25 students came to the SFSS AGM. (quorum is 250) Having a referendum to
see how students feelis NOT worth it! By that logic a referendum should be held every year, or every semester.Natalie Bocking Oct. 25, 2009, 3:50 p.m.
A referendum campaign would be very expensive and wasteful. I was a board member of the Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS) at SFU when a CFS membership referendum was held there and despite it being run at the same time as the elections and other referenda, the costs were astronomical. The SFSS
noside campaign cost tens of thousands of dollars. The legal consultations were even more expensive. In addition to the monetary cost, the SFSS didn't have time to work on any campaigns except defederation for a full year. It was a huge waste of time and money and now, because the referendum was not held according to the CFS by-laws, the courts are unsure whether the results are legally valid and the whole thing might have to be redone.Students on campus are so disengaged from the SFSS due to the huge divisive, alienating campaign that dominated the SFSS for a year that no one wants to be involved in the SFSS anymore. This year less than 25 students came to the SFSS AGM. (quorum is 250) Having a referendum to
see how students feelis NOT worth it! By that logic a referendum should be held every year, or every semester.Natalie Bocking Oct. 25, 2009, 3:51 p.m.
A referendum campaign would be very expensive and wasteful. I was a board member of the Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS) at SFU when a CFS membership referendum was held there and despite it being run at the same time as the elections and other referenda, the costs were astronomical. The SFSS
noside campaign cost tens of thousands of dollars. The legal consultations were even more expensive. In addition to the monetary cost, the SFSS didn't have time to work on any campaigns except defederation for a full year. It was a huge waste of time and money and now, because the referendum was not held according to the CFS by-laws, the courts are unsure whether the results are legally valid and the whole thing might have to be redone.Students on campus are so disengaged from the SFSS due to the huge divisive, alienating campaign that dominated the SFSS for a year that no one wants to be involved in the SFSS anymore. This year less than 25 students came to the SFSS AGM. (quorum is 250) Having a referendum to
see how students feelis NOT worth it! By that logic a referendum should be held every year, or every semester.Natalie Bocking Oct. 25, 2009, 3:51 p.m.
A referendum campaign would be very expensive and wasteful. I was a board member of the Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS) at SFU when a CFS membership referendum was held there and despite it being run at the same time as the elections and other referenda, the costs were astronomical. The SFSS
noside campaign cost tens of thousands of dollars. The legal consultations were even more expensive. In addition to the monetary cost, the SFSS didn't have time to work on any campaigns except defederation for a full year. It was a huge waste of time and money and now, because the referendum was not held according to the CFS by-laws, the courts are unsure whether the results are legally valid and the whole thing might have to be redone.Students on campus are so disengaged from the SFSS due to the huge divisive, alienating campaign that dominated the SFSS for a year that no one wants to be involved in the SFSS anymore. This year less than 25 students came to the SFSS AGM. (quorum is 250) Having a referendum to
see how students feelis NOT worth it! By that logic a referendum should be held every year, or every semester.Natalie Bocking Oct. 25, 2009, 3:51 p.m.
A referendum campaign would be very expensive and wasteful. I was a board member of the Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS) at SFU when a CFS membership referendum was held there and despite it being run at the same time as the elections and other referenda, the costs were astronomical. The SFSS
noside campaign cost tens of thousands of dollars. The legal consultations were even more expensive. In addition to the monetary cost, the SFSS didn't have time to work on any campaigns except defederation for a full year. It was a huge waste of time and money and now, because the referendum was not held according to the CFS by-laws, the courts are unsure whether the results are legally valid and the whole thing might have to be redone.Students on campus are so disengaged from the SFSS due to the huge divisive, alienating campaign that dominated the SFSS for a year that no one wants to be involved in the SFSS anymore. This year less than 25 students came to the SFSS AGM. (quorum is 250) Having a referendum to
see how students feelis NOT worth it! By that logic a referendum should be held every year, or every semester.Natalie Bocking Oct. 25, 2009, 3:51 p.m.
A referendum campaign would be very expensive and wasteful. I was a board member of the Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS) at SFU when a CFS membership referendum was held there and despite it being run at the same time as the elections and other referenda, the costs were astronomical. The SFSS
noside campaign cost tens of thousands of dollars. The legal consultations were even more expensive. In addition to the monetary cost, the SFSS didn't have time to work on any campaigns except defederation for a full year. It was a huge waste of time and money and now, because the referendum was not held according to the CFS by-laws, the courts are unsure whether the results are legally valid and the whole thing might have to be redone.Students on campus are so disengaged from the SFSS due to the huge divisive, alienating campaign that dominated the SFSS for a year that no one wants to be involved in the SFSS anymore. This year less than 25 students came to the SFSS AGM. (quorum is 250) Having a referendum to
see how students feelis NOT worth it! By that logic a referendum should be held every year, or every semester.H Oct. 25, 2009, 7:51 p.m.
funny... but i think kelsey hannan and jose barrios... didn't think of the costs. Yes they are concerned with the actions of the CFS... but they are willing to spend astronomical amounts for a referendum... when the UVSS is allready in a deficit.
H Oct. 25, 2009, 7:51 p.m.
funny... but i think kelsey hannan and jose barrios... didn't think of the costs. Yes they are concerned with the actions of the CFS... but they are willing to spend astronomical amounts for a referendum... when the UVSS is allready in a deficit.
Malcolm L Oct. 25, 2009, 9:39 p.m.
I really think everyone needs to calm down about this. Will a referendum cost lots of money? Well, if it's held at the same time as elections, then the basic costs (tabling, ink for ballots, etc) would be negligible. As for spending tens of thousands of dollars on the campaign, that remains to be seen. I really don't see how our NO side could spend that much money... but I can be sure that the CFS will spend our money booking plan tickets, renting hotel rooms and buying food for their lackeys on our campus. Hey, maybe the extra non student presence of campus will boast food sales in the SUB?
As for the rest of Natalie's comments, a quick google search revealed some interesting information regarding possible conflicts of interest. I won't comment on them, but if you're interested you can check out this article in the Peak.
http://www.the-peak.ca/article/3495
Malcolm L Oct. 25, 2009, 9:39 p.m.
I really think everyone needs to calm down about this. Will a referendum cost lots of money? Well, if it's held at the same time as elections, then the basic costs (tabling, ink for ballots, etc) would be negligible. As for spending tens of thousands of dollars on the campaign, that remains to be seen. I really don't see how our NO side could spend that much money... but I can be sure that the CFS will spend our money booking plan tickets, renting hotel rooms and buying food for their lackeys on our campus. Hey, maybe the extra non student presence of campus will boast food sales in the SUB?
As for the rest of Natalie's comments, a quick google search revealed some interesting information regarding possible conflicts of interest. I won't comment on them, but if you're interested you can check out this article in the Peak.
http://www.the-peak.ca/article/3495
JKB Oct. 25, 2009, 10:18 p.m.
funny... but i think kelsey hannan and jose barrios... didn't think of the costs. Yes they are concerned with the actions of the CFS... but they are willing to spend astronomical amounts for a referendum... when the UVSS is [already] in a deficit.It is worth spending the money to get an accurate assessment of the feeling of the student population. Yes the UVSS is in deficit, but that doesn't mean that the democratic process should be ignored. Currently the way the UVSS is run, with Directors of the UVSS doubling as members of the Executive on the CFS-BC board, so it is understandable that many of these people do not want a referendum. Kelsey Hannan and Jose Barrios are simply seeking a chance for ther undergraduate student body to have a say.
JKB Oct. 25, 2009, 10:18 p.m.
funny... but i think kelsey hannan and jose barrios... didn't think of the costs. Yes they are concerned with the actions of the CFS... but they are willing to spend astronomical amounts for a referendum... when the UVSS is [already] in a deficit.It is worth spending the money to get an accurate assessment of the feeling of the student population. Yes the UVSS is in deficit, but that doesn't mean that the democratic process should be ignored. Currently the way the UVSS is run, with Directors of the UVSS doubling as members of the Executive on the CFS-BC board, so it is understandable that many of these people do not want a referendum. Kelsey Hannan and Jose Barrios are simply seeking a chance for ther undergraduate student body to have a say.
Michelle Oct. 26, 2009, 12:13 a.m.
The CFS has massive problems which have not been addressed. When people do try to make changes, they're criticized for breaking solidarity -- look at what happened to CFS-Quebec. They recently tried to bring in reforms to the CFS and were declared persona non-grata.
No matter how much the referendum costs, (and if it's run with student elections, it will cost very little) we'll still save over $200,000 a year in membership fees. We could do all sorts of great things with that money, here at UVic, instead of sending it off to Ottawa or Vancouver.
Michelle Oct. 26, 2009, 12:13 a.m.
The CFS has massive problems which have not been addressed. When people do try to make changes, they're criticized for breaking solidarity -- look at what happened to CFS-Quebec. They recently tried to bring in reforms to the CFS and were declared persona non-grata.
No matter how much the referendum costs, (and if it's run with student elections, it will cost very little) we'll still save over $200,000 a year in membership fees. We could do all sorts of great things with that money, here at UVic, instead of sending it off to Ottawa or Vancouver.
Elisabeth Oct. 26, 2009, 2:22 p.m.
Maybe CFS Quebec had the right idea (I haven't read up on it). We could make ourselves so undesirable that the CFS would kick us out. No costs ;)
Elisabeth Oct. 26, 2009, 2:22 p.m.
Maybe CFS Quebec had the right idea (I haven't read up on it). We could make ourselves so undesirable that the CFS would kick us out. No costs ;)
Mike B. Oct. 27, 2009, 4:19 p.m.
Okay, so I'm going to pretend for a second that Natalie Bocking is just some everyday, average student and not one of the few remaining devoutly pro-CFS people left on the SFU campus. I'll also pretend for a second that she actually knows something about UVic's campus and the manner in which our elections are conducted.
First off, to say that the election will be horribly expensive is a total and complete cop out; furthermore, to blame only one side of the referendum for the expenses is also ridiculous when the CFS sunk likely the same amount, if not more, into various advertising to prevent SFU from leaving.
Another consideration: even if the
Noside spent tens of thousands of dollars as Natalie claims, keep in mind the SFSS was also on their side, and they had various board resources at their disposal. This won't be the case with the UVSS. With paid executives already assisting the CFS with counter-petitions, and the board voting to remain neutral (or so one can hope), the anti-CFS side will NOT be getting the resources from the UVSS that SFU had from the SFSS. Apples and oranges.Also, in terms of blaming legal costs on a referendum is absolute crap. There is one culprit and one only in that regard and that is the CFS, who is seemingly unable to accept that two-thirds of students voted to defederate. You can make the claim of
the referendum not meeting bylawsall you want, but 67% is still 67%, just as 92% at Cape Breton is still 92%. Just because the CFS is using disputable technicalities to fight a result it doesn't like does not mean that the referendum itself is to blame for all those legal costs.You can also make the
students are so disengagedargument, but there's no evidence to prove that's the cause of leaving the CFS, or that it will happen at UVic. Most AGMs at UVic tend not to make quorum; and with the exception of about 3 or 4 in my five years here, most haven't even come close. I wouldn't expect an SFU student to get this, but put quite simply: UVic students are already disengaged. A good chunk of students are always going to be disengaged. That's reality, and I don't see how sinking $230,000 into an organization that many students either don't know much about or have claimed doesn't do anything for them will help that.Finally, it's just a red herring to say
why not have a referendum every year. That's not the point. The point is that, in the 22 years the UVSS has been in the CFS and there has never been a question put to students on membership. I don't think anyone would, for example, want to have a federal election on a yearly basis, but if they went 22 years with the same government, they might want to be able to vote for a new one. And on that note, federal and provincial elections are also quite costly; does that mean we shouldn't have them, then?Mike B. Oct. 27, 2009, 4:19 p.m.
Okay, so I'm going to pretend for a second that Natalie Bocking is just some everyday, average student and not one of the few remaining devoutly pro-CFS people left on the SFU campus. I'll also pretend for a second that she actually knows something about UVic's campus and the manner in which our elections are conducted.
First off, to say that the election will be horribly expensive is a total and complete cop out; furthermore, to blame only one side of the referendum for the expenses is also ridiculous when the CFS sunk likely the same amount, if not more, into various advertising to prevent SFU from leaving.
Another consideration: even if the
Noside spent tens of thousands of dollars as Natalie claims, keep in mind the SFSS was also on their side, and they had various board resources at their disposal. This won't be the case with the UVSS. With paid executives already assisting the CFS with counter-petitions, and the board voting to remain neutral (or so one can hope), the anti-CFS side will NOT be getting the resources from the UVSS that SFU had from the SFSS. Apples and oranges.Also, in terms of blaming legal costs on a referendum is absolute crap. There is one culprit and one only in that regard and that is the CFS, who is seemingly unable to accept that two-thirds of students voted to defederate. You can make the claim of
the referendum not meeting bylawsall you want, but 67% is still 67%, just as 92% at Cape Breton is still 92%. Just because the CFS is using disputable technicalities to fight a result it doesn't like does not mean that the referendum itself is to blame for all those legal costs.You can also make the
students are so disengagedargument, but there's no evidence to prove that's the cause of leaving the CFS, or that it will happen at UVic. Most AGMs at UVic tend not to make quorum; and with the exception of about 3 or 4 in my five years here, most haven't even come close. I wouldn't expect an SFU student to get this, but put quite simply: UVic students are already disengaged. A good chunk of students are always going to be disengaged. That's reality, and I don't see how sinking $230,000 into an organization that many students either don't know much about or have claimed doesn't do anything for them will help that.Finally, it's just a red herring to say
why not have a referendum every year. That's not the point. The point is that, in the 22 years the UVSS has been in the CFS and there has never been a question put to students on membership. I don't think anyone would, for example, want to have a federal election on a yearly basis, but if they went 22 years with the same government, they might want to be able to vote for a new one. And on that note, federal and provincial elections are also quite costly; does that mean we shouldn't have them, then?Richard Oct. 28, 2009, 4:23 p.m.
Elisabeth,
Although the CFS-Q has been declared persona non grata, they haven't been really kicked out. The CFS-Q is a provincial component of the CFs, this means that the student members in Quebec who pay fees have a portion go the the CFS-Q so that the CFS-Q can represent them provincially. It's much like the CFS-BC. Unfortunately when the CFS declared the CFS-Q person non grata it means that the CFS has basically cut them off, and have stopped the provincial portion fees going to CFS-Q. Effectively they've eliminated the provincial component for all students in Quebec. However the CFS are still collecting the same fee for all of these students, they just are redirecting it to the provincial component. The CFS has basically shut down the provincial representation in Quebec for their own members!
Richard Oct. 28, 2009, 4:23 p.m.
Elisabeth,
Although the CFS-Q has been declared persona non grata, they haven't been really kicked out. The CFS-Q is a provincial component of the CFs, this means that the student members in Quebec who pay fees have a portion go the the CFS-Q so that the CFS-Q can represent them provincially. It's much like the CFS-BC. Unfortunately when the CFS declared the CFS-Q person non grata it means that the CFS has basically cut them off, and have stopped the provincial portion fees going to CFS-Q. Effectively they've eliminated the provincial component for all students in Quebec. However the CFS are still collecting the same fee for all of these students, they just are redirecting it to the provincial component. The CFS has basically shut down the provincial representation in Quebec for their own members!
k-f3d Oct. 28, 2009, 5:32 p.m.
re: Elisabeth,
Kwantlen has been one of the most undesirable student associations in the CFS for years and still hasn't been kicked out...but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try! :)
Good luck!
k-f3d Oct. 28, 2009, 5:32 p.m.
re: Elisabeth,
Kwantlen has been one of the most undesirable student associations in the CFS for years and still hasn't been kicked out...but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try! :)
Good luck!
John Oct. 30, 2009, 5:02 p.m.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. It takes two to spend a giant pile of money on a referendum campaign. The fixed costs like ballots are minescule. It's the legal fees, shiny posters and cross-province bus tickets that waste the students' money. If either side were to, say not ship campaigners in from across the country, print out a million full-colour glossy posters and hire lawyers, then it wouldn't cost very much at all. And for that matter, if the CFS didn't do all of that, there wouldn't be so many people trying to leave.
John Oct. 30, 2009, 5:02 p.m.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. It takes two to spend a giant pile of money on a referendum campaign. The fixed costs like ballots are minescule. It's the legal fees, shiny posters and cross-province bus tickets that waste the students' money. If either side were to, say not ship campaigners in from across the country, print out a million full-colour glossy posters and hire lawyers, then it wouldn't cost very much at all. And for that matter, if the CFS didn't do all of that, there wouldn't be so many people trying to leave.
Karl Lönnroth Nov. 3, 2009, 10:08 p.m.
Let's all praise the heroism of the activists who leaked this awesome petition to wikileaks. While you're at it, donate $$$ to wikileaks and show your support of fairness and accountabilitiy
http://secure.wikileaks.org/wiki/University_of_Victoria_CFS_%22counter-petition%22%2C_Oct_2009
Karl Lönnroth Nov. 3, 2009, 10:08 p.m.
Let's all praise the heroism of the activists who leaked this awesome petition to wikileaks. While you're at it, donate $$$ to wikileaks and show your support of fairness and accountabilitiy
http://secure.wikileaks.org/wiki/University_of_Victoria_CFS_%22counter-petition%22%2C_Oct_2009