Students Launch Coalition Against Bill 33 To Protect Access To Student Services
- olamiogunnote
- Sep 22
- 2 min read
NEWS RELEASE
September 22, 2025
Students Launch Coalition Against Bill 33 To Protect Access To Student Services
TORONTO - Student organizations from across the province and nation have united to speak out about their concerns on the provincial government’s Bill 33. Representing over three-quarters of a million students, the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations, College Student Alliance, Ontario Student Voices, and Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance have come together to form the “Coalition to Protect Student Services”, raising awareness about the impacts the Bill could have on students and their post-secondary experience.
Bill 33, also known as the Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025, was tabled earlier this year in May. Provisions under the Bill would provide the province with more authority over setting optional fees for students, as well as admissions criteria for post-secondary institutions. Students are worried about the implications this could have on essential campus services. Resources like food banks, peer support, campus media, and more, are at risk of being underfunded. This Bill jeopardizes their sustainability, leaving students without vital supports that make up their educational experience.
To launch the campaign, the coalition has penned an open letter to the Premier and relevant Ministers. The letter asks for a meeting with Minister Nolan Quinn, a referral of the Bill to the Standing Committee on Social Policy, and a review of Section 21.1 which describes the proposed amendments under the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence, and Security.
“These supports are critical: student demand for food banks is increasing in the triple digits, one-third of students are not having their mental health needs met, and campus clubs provide invaluable leadership and employment opportunities,” the coalition said in their letter. “If the government hopes to have skilled graduates tackling today’s provincial challenges, their post-secondary experience must provide them with the means to succeed through adequate resources for their wellbeing.”
As students continue their first month back on campus, using the very services this Bill would defund, the coalition is emphasizing proactive consultation with students in order to ensure changes to the post-secondary system remain transparent and accountable. The campaign will consist of various elements and run throughout the next few weeks, leading up to the Legislature returning on October 20th.
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About Ontario Student Voices
Ontario Student Voices is a provincial advocacy organization representing over 160,000 college and polytechnic students across Ontario. We are committed to ensuring that student voices shape the policies and decisions that affect their lives and education.
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Lynn Courville
Executive Director
Ontario Student Voices
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