February 29, 2012

To the students of Québec,

I am writing on behalf of the members of the Canadian Federation of Students-British Columbia from 16 universities and colleges to express our solidarity with the ongoing strike action of the students of Québec.

The students of Québec have the full support of our members in your fight against the Charest government’s cuts to public post-secondary education. The students of British Columbia recognize that your struggle to defend the most accessible public post-secondary education in the country will have repercussions across Canada. By calling the Charest government to account for its attempt to trample your right to an education you set an example for students in British Columbia to follow.

In many ways, students in Québec and British Columbia face a similar fight with government. Tuition fees are going up, as is student debt because our provincial governments prioritize tax cuts over public services. The federal government plays its part by spending on military enterprise rather than the needs of the people. These governments are united in their effort to erode public services, and we must be united in our fight back.

We stand with you in this fight. Students in British Columbia recently participated in the pan-Canadian day of action, as part of the Canadian Federation of Students’ Education is a Right campaign. We are calling on the federal government to create a post-secondary education act, establish dedicated transfers for post-secondary education, and increasing funding to the Canada Student Grants Program.

Together, we can achieve victory.

In solidarity,

Zachary Crispin
Chairperson

January 19, 2012

To members of the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation,

I am writing on behalf of students at 16 post-secondary institutions in British Columbia to express our support for your fight to improve education in our province.

Historically, we have supported your Federation in its work to improve education and defend teachers’ rights. In 2005, our members supported your strike against the regressive agenda of the Campbell Government that threatened our public services. Your union was wrongfully legislated back-to-work, but our support for your struggle continued unchanged.

Today, the same strategy from our provincial government threatens the basic functions of many public services. Services such as healthcare, senior care, childcare, and all levels of education. Again, teachers are rising in defense of vital programs and standing united against this backwards agenda, and again, teachers are supported by post-secondary students from across the province. At our 30th annual general meeting, on January 15, delegates passed the following motion to support your union:

Whereas the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) has been forced to engage in job action cause the provincial government refuses to limit class sizes in their collective bargaining contract; and

Whereas the BCTF has striven to defend and improve quality accessible public education since its inception; and

Whereas the provincial government continues to block the BCTF in its efforts to bargain for improved public education and working conditions, actions which may lead to a strike of public elementary and secondary school teachers; therefore

Be it resolved that job action taken by the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation be supported; and

Be it further resolved that member locals be encouraged to write letters to local Members of the Legislative Assembly supporting the position of the BCTF.

You can rest assured that post-secondary students will be behind you as you continue your struggle to defend public education.

In solidarity,

Zachary Crispin
Chairperson