The Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) has initiated a call for post-secondary students in Nova Scotia to participate in a provincewide strike lasting one week, aimed at protesting significant budget cuts proposed by the provincial government. The CFS represents several student unions across the province, and they argue that the recently tabled budget will lead to critical losses in programs and jobs within higher education institutions. These proposed cuts have raised alarm among students, who feel their educational opportunities could be severely impacted.

In addition to protesting budget cuts, the CFS has expressed concern over recent legislative changes by the province that they believe would undermine the autonomy of universities. This move, they argue, threatens the ability of these institutions to govern themselves without undue political interference, potentially influencing academic freedoms and the quality of education provided. The strike, which is being planned for the week of March 15, is contingent upon strike votes being conducted in the following weeks, motivating widespread student engagement.

The federation is also calling on educational institutions to reconsider their investments in unethical and unsustainable businesses, specifically pointing out sectors such as weapon manufacturing and fossil fuel production. Furthermore, the CFS is urging the federal government to reconsider its cap on the number of international students, which they believe would support the financial stability of educational institutions while promoting diversity and inclusion within the student body. This push reflects broader concerns within Canadian society regarding the accessibility and ethics of educational funding, making it a significant local issue that resonates across the province and the country as a whole.