CFRU has an urgent message for our listeners
The Ontario government is introducing an unprecedented new rule it calls the Student Choice Initiative, and it jeopardizes the future of our radio station.
In fact, it threatens to defund campus radio stations and newspapers, student governments, campus resource centers, and so many more valuable student organizations across the province.
Supporters of the new rule say this is a good thing – that it gives each student freedom to choose the services they support, treats them like adults, and maybe saves them a bit of cash along the way. And those things do sound great – freedom, choices, money…all great!
But it robs students of their democracy. Through the process of democratic referendums, students already voted to support each of these services – making sure the resources stayed available to everyone on campus, and making sure that students have the choice to access them.
Soon, their collective voice will be silenced, while the campus organizations that advocate for their rights will be simultaneously destabilized.
Instead of choices, students will be forced to gamble with their money – not knowing which organizations will last the school year.
Campus life, student resources, volunteer opportunities, independent media, thousands of jobs – all are on the line now.
So if you’re reading this, we’re asking you to contact your local Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) as soon as possible. Tell them what’s at stake. And ask them to stop the Student Choice Initiative before it’s too late.
To find out who your local MPP is, go to voterinformationservice.elections.on.ca and type in your postal code. Or just contact us and we’ll get you pointed in the right direction. Email outreach@cfru.ca.
CLICK HERE TO HEAR A PANEL DISCUSSION BETWEEN SOME OF THE GROUPS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH WHO WILL BE AFFECTED