Reasons to vote
The KSA has launched a poster campaign that summarizes many of our concerns with the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS). Look for the posters when you are up on campus this week, and check out the media coverage section and this CFS referendum debate video (filmed at SFU) to find out more about this national student organization!
Reason #1
The CFS is ineffective at lobbying for students
- The CFS discourages local student organizations from presenting their own unique issues to their MLAs – it wants only its message delivered in our lobbying
- CFS-BC has spent $53,000 on its 'I am CFS' initiative from its campaigns budget, hoping to dissuade Kwantlen, SFU and UVic students from opting out of the CFS
Reason #2
Kwantlen students will still have access to CFS services
- Students can continue to use StudentPhones, Homes4students.ca, UFile, Travel CUTS and the Student Work Abroad Program without membership in the CFS
- The KSA buys your student agendas from CFS-BC – we can still buy them without membership
Reason #3
The CFS is a magnet for negative publicity
- In 2006, Global News reported that CFS-BC and CFS-Services [the national CFS body that provides their many services] provided $616,000 in loans to the Douglas Students' Union despite proof of significant financial impropriety at the DSU
- The CFS actively prevents student journalists from attending and reporting on CFS meetings
Reason #4
The CFS is not accountable to Kwantlen students
- Interested students are forbidden from attending or speaking at CFS meetings unless they are chosen to represent the KSA
- In the CFS, paid non-student employees often represent students
Reason #5
The CFS has mismanaged your membership fees
- CFS-BC has failed to produce timely audited financial statements since 2003
- CFS-Services repeatedly denied providing $416,000 in loans to the Douglas Students' Union in 2006, despite the evidence uncovered in a financial forensic audit
Reason #6
the KSA can successfully campaign for Kwantlen students
- KSA tuition fee campaigns have received extensive press coverage without the CFS
- Your KSA representatives have met 15 times with provincial MLAs in the past 12 months
Reason #7
The CFS is unwilling to accept constructive criticism
- The CFS has repeatedly refused to work with the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA), the only other national student lobby organization in Canada
- The CFS regularly responds to anti-CFS sentiments in student newspapers and on student union blogs with legal threats and intimidation
Reason #8
Aaron Takhar liaised with Joey Hansen, a major CFS supporter
- Joey Hansen was the staff member at the heart of the financial scandal at the Douglas Students' Union
- The CFS did not help the KSA fight against Aaron Takhar
Reason #9
The KSA can continue to work with other student groups in Canada
- The KSA works with CFS student associations at SFU, UVic and Capilano College as well as non-CFS student unions at UBC and Langara
- Not being tied to national groups like the CFS will enable us to focus our lobbying and resources on issues that matter most to Kwantlen students
Reason #10
Kwantlen students deserve better representation
- The CFS has proven to be an untrustworthy and ineffective organization
- For a fraction of the $150,000 you pay the CFS, the KSA can provide the same – or better – services
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