Saying 'no" to mandatory student unions

A new report challenges the deprivation of human rights in Canada whereby student are forced to join unions against their will:

Article 20 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights states, “everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association,” and “no one may be compelled to belong to an association.” 

Similarly, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms recognizes that every Canadian has the freedom to associate, which also implies the freedom not to associate.    

While there are millions of people in the world who are denied this freedom, it may come as a surprise to many that among them remain post-secondary students in Canada. That is right: By law, post-secondary students must join a student union. In all 10 provinces, membership in a student union is mandatory and paying fees is compulsory.

When it is understood from the perspective of violating a fundamental human right, the case for voluntary student unionism (VSU) amounts to pointing out that provincial governments have a responsibility to restore what is guaranteed to all, namely, the right to associate.

An interview with Jonathan Wensveen, the author of the report, is at The Prince Arthur Herald