Saskatchewan Student Leaders Announce Student Coalition

The University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union (USSU), University of Regina Students’ Union (URSU) and the SIAST Students’ Association (Kelsey and Woodlands Campuses) announced today an agreement to create the Saskatchewan Students Coalition. The coalition will be a partnership between the three organizations that would strive to be a united voice of member undergraduate student unions (or organizations) in Saskatchewan to work on issues that affect post-secondary students in the province.

The agreement to form a coalition was made official following a signing ceremony between the USSU, URSA and SIAST Students’ Association held today on the U of S campus. The Honorable Rob Norris, Minister of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour was in attendance this morning to offer his support for this initiative.

"The Saskatchewan Student Coalition presents a new opportunity to bring
student interests forward in Saskatchewan,” said Chris Stoicheff, USSU Vice President External Affairs. "Students in Saskatchewan will directly benefit from a unified voice that is diplomatic, professional and constructive in its approach with the Government of Saskatchewan."

Kyle Addision, President of the Regina Students’ Union said that coalition will be essential for helping to bring student issues forward to government.

“The University of Regina Students’ Union is excited to become a member of the Saskatchewan Students Coalition because it will provide opportunities to work with the government on issues directly pertaining to students in our province.”

“We are also eager to be allied with other post secondary educational institutions because working together collectively will prove to be more productive than working individually.” 

Jon Elder, representing SIAST, said the coalition’s unified voice would be one of its main strengths.

"The SIAST Students' Association Kelsey and Woodland Campuses will see a
large benefit in having concerns collectively brought forward on behalf of post-secondary undergrad students to the Provincial Government."

"In the past, SIAST and other post-secondary student organizations have not had many opportunities to work on issues as partners. It is my hope that the Saskatchewan Students Coalition is a platform that we can stand on together."

Stoicheff indicated that today’s agreement was just a starting point for the coalition.

“This coalition will be open to having more organizations joining up. The only condition is that they be a recognized post-secondary union or association in the province of Saskatchewan.”

“It is my hope that today’s agreement will be a stepping-stone towards a larger coalition that will work hard on addressing issues that affect students across the province.”

For more information about the SSC or this media release, please contact:

Chris Stoicheff
USSU Vice President – External Affairs
Telephone: 966.6985

Warren Kirkland
USSU President
Telephone: 966-6965