What is CASA?

Established in 1995, CASA is a non-partisan, not-for-profit student organization composed of student associations from across Canada.

CASA represents undergraduate, graduate and polytechnic associations.

At its core, it advocates on behalf of post-secondary students to the federal government. When Canada’s leaders make decisions affecting our post-secondary education system, they turn to CASA for solutions.

Interested in learning more about CASA? Click the button below to visit their website.

Learn More

From February 14-18, Student Associations from across Canada came together virtually, including CSI, with CASA to advocate for 5 specific improvements to the postsecondary student experience.
These asks are:

  1. Maintain current funding levels to Canada Student Grants past the 2022-23 school year, permanently doubling grant maximums for eligible students from $3,000 to $6,000 per academic year.
  2. Initiate a pan-Canadian strategy on mental illness detection, prevention, and intervention for post-secondary students.
  3. Increase funding for student scholarship programs by $120 million on a recurring basis, thus re-establishing the importance of student scholarships within the overall envelope of the Canada Research Granting Agencies.
  4. Establish multi-year funding for community-based youth organizations to deliver programs on reconciliation, and establish a national network to share information and best practices per Truth and Reconciliation Commission Call to Action 66.
  5. Allow international students to participate in co-op programs without requiring them to apply for an additional permit.

To learn more about these asks, check out the full advocacy document submitted to MPs during Advocacy Week

Advocacy Document

Conference Reports

CSI’s delegates complete a summary report about their experience at CASA conferences and share them here to inform membership about the purpose and value of attending CASA conferences. Any questions about the contents of a report should be sent to:

csibod@conestogac.on.ca

 

Please find our Conference Summary Reports below:

CASA Conference June 2022

CASA Wins

Over the years, CASA’s on-going dedication to post-secondary students has resulted in a number of wins, including:

  • Doubling of the Canada Student Grant
  • Broadening eligibility requirements for Canada Student Loans Program
  • $80 million for the Student Work Placement Program
  • $75.2 million in additional support for First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Nation students.

Click the button below to learn more about CASA wins and how it has advocated for the student voice.

CASA Wins