Canadian Alliance of Student Associations

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The Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) is a federally focused student advocacy organization. CASA currently has 24 members, who represent over 275,000 students from across Canada. With a formal partnership with the Quebec Student Union, CASA represents 365,000 students.^[2] CASA works towards an accessible, affordable, innovative and high-quality post-secondary education system.^[3]

CASA's origins can be traced to the first Winds of Change conference hosted by the University of Alberta in 1990. In what would become an annual meeting, student leaders from across the country were invited to come together to discuss challenges facing post-secondary education students in Canada.^{[citation needed]}

In 1993 the federal government announced that all of Canada's social programs^{[clarification needed]} would be reviewed.^{[citation needed]} Sweeping and significant changes were likely to come,^{[citation needed]} which prompted several student unions not affiliated with the Canadian Federation of Students to try to organize efforts to lobby the federal government on education issues.^{[citation needed]}

In 1994, as the result of a conference held at Carleton University, a number of student leaders decided to form a new Canadian post-secondary student organization. The foundations for the new organization were laid down, and the framework for a constitution was built upon it.^{[4][citation needed]}

In 1998, Patrick Fitzpatrick, then acting Director of CASA, pled guilty to fraud charges after it was discovered that he embezzled money from the organization.^[5]

In 2003, Liam Arbuckle, then National Director, resigned after it was alleged that he provided confidential information to a candidate hoping to succeed him.^[6]

CASA was incorporated June 27, 1995.^{[citation needed]} CASA currently has members in seven provinces and represents undergraduate, graduate, college and polytechnic students.^{[citation needed]}

CASA has a board of directors that helps guide the home office staff.^{[citation needed][clarification needed]}

This board is made up of a chair, secretary, treasurer, and four directors-at-large. The director-at-large positions include a Director of Policy, Director of Advocacy, Director of Membership, and Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

• Official website