IGNITE Student Union joins College Student Alliance

By Bridget Yard on
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The College Student Alliance logo reads "csa" in white in front of a blue background speech bubble

This month, the IGNITE Student Union joined the College Student Alliance (CSA). 

The CSA is a membership-driven group that partners with student leaders to advocate on behalf of all Ontario college students for better learning environments, financial support, mental health funding and equal learning opportunities. 

“Joining an external advocacy organization is a major win for all students. IGNITE joins other student unions in leading student advocacy efforts on the provincial stage, and we’re happy to be back. The work begins immediately. Advocacy is crucial” said Eli Ridder, chairman of IGNITE, Humber's student union. 

“It’s a transformative time for post-secondary students, especially here in Ontario, and it’s clear that our students will benefit from IGNITE’s active participation in advocacy discussions at the provincial level for better policies, funding and services.” 
IGNITE members see CSA as an opportunity to advance the group’s advocacy efforts at the provincial level. 
IGNITE’s membership will start in April. 

Strong voice for students 
CSA coordinates advocacy campaigns that address international student needs, student health and safety, sexual assault survivor services, Internet accessibility and student financial support.  

CSA mental health supports include the In It Together mental health campaign in partnership with the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA), Colleges Ontario, and the Council of Ontario Universities. The group brought their recommendations for increased funding for post-secondary student mental health in their Pre-Budget submission and in consultations with the province. 

Between October 2020 and February 2021, the Government of Ontario invested an additional $1.25. million in mental health funding for the post-secondary education sector. 

CSA’s influence extends beyond health initiatives into issues like access to the Internet in remote communities, the recently announced six-month grace period from National Student Loans and OSAP and financial supports, like the Student Support Fund. The Ontario government created a fund to grant $500 to students facing hardships after the 2017 college strike. 

For more information on IGNITE, visit ignitestudentlife.com