On Friday, June 12, 2020, CASA presented to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities on the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. CASA believes the government's comprehensive student aid package will provide significant and generous relief for students, but more needs to be done. Specifically, CASA highlighted the lack of support for international students as well as the difficulties students will be facing moving forward. CASA called on the federal government to: extend the six-month interest-free moratorium on federal student loan payments past September 30, 2020; move forward with immediate steps to ensure that all post-secondary students have adequate access to reliable and high-speed internet; and, to commit additional funding to provide appropriate digital technology to any low-income student who needs it.

On Tuesday, June 9, 2020, CASA presented to the Senate National Finance Committee on the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic consequences. CASA believes the government's comprehensive student aid package will provide significant and generous relief for students, but more needs to be done. Specifically, CASA highlighted the lack of support for international students as well as the difficulties students will be facing moving forward. CASA called on the federal government to: extend the six-month interest-free moratorium on federal student loan payments past September 30, 2020; move forward with immediate steps to ensure that all post-secondary students have adequate access to reliable and high-speed internet; and, to commit additional funding to provide appropriate digital technology to any low-income student who needs it.

Executive Summary This paper is a summary of public opinion research that surveyed post secondary students across Canada in May 2020. The results of the research provide a snapshot of the experience and effect of COVID-19 on the student population, identifies key concerns and priorities, and provides insights into how students are feeling amid the COVID-19 pandemic.This public opinion research was commissioned by the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations and conducted by Abacus Data.

On Friday, April 24, 2020, CASA presented to the House of Common's Finance Committee on the government's recently announced COVID-19 student support package. CASA believes the aid package will provide significant and generous relief for students, while acknowledging it does not help international students like the Canada Emergency Response Benefit. Moving forward, CASA is looking to ensure that international students are provided with income support and access to work opportunities, and are allowed to re-enter Canada in September.

OTTAWA, April 22, 2020 -- The Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) and Quebec Student Union (QSU) are pleased with the comprehensive student aid package announced today by the Government of Canada. The package will bring significant relief to all students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and will provide valuable support to at-risk students and recent graduates who need it most. 

The Canadian Alliance of Student Associations is a national voice for Canadian post-secondary students composed of student associations representing undergraduate, graduate, college, and polytechnic students. CASA works to provide students with a post- secondary system that is accessible, affordable, innovative, and of the highest quality. The COVID-19 pandemic poses significant challenges to Canada as an entire country and it’s students are being uniquely impacted by it as well. Across Canada students are worried about their education, finances, and employment prospects. CASA has worked to identify areas where students need further support to assist them through the COVID-19 pandemic.