The Canadian Federation of Students

Formed in 1981, the Canadian Federation of Students is a bilingual national union, composed of over 530,000 students from more than 60 university and college students’ unions across Canada. 

Our Federation provides students from across the country with an effective and united voice, provincially and nationally. We create space and foster opportunities for students to join together in creating lasting change and winning victories, both on and off campus.
‍
Because universities and colleges are funded primarily by the federal government and administered by provincial governments, the policies and priorities of both levels of government determine the accessibility of post-secondary education in Canada. Tuition fee levels, student financial assistance programs, Indigenous student funding, and funding for research are all set directly or indirectly by both levels of government. 

No individual students’ union — no matter how big or active — has the resources or the political leverage on their own to effectively influence the post-secondary education policies of the provincial and federal governments. It’s also more cost-effective for a large number of students’ unions to pool their resources and to work in partnership than for each to undertake this work alone.
‍
Through our Federation, students’ unions collectively pool their resources to provide student-owned and operated services such as the International Student Identity Card (ISIC) and the Ethical Purchasing Network, both designed to save students money.
‍
Students’ union members have a say in setting the policies, direction and priorities of our Federation, including how funds are spent. All major decisions are made at provincial and national general meetings held annually. All students’ unions are able to send one (1) delegate for free to ensure participation is accessible for every students’ union, regardless of size or location.