Canada in brief: March 17, 2010

Government refuses to fund First Nations University
After the federal government announced its refusal to provide funding for the First Nations University of Canada, stakeholders asked minister of Indian and northern affairs Chuck Strahl to reverse the decision.

The university, situated in Saskatchewan, has been denied $12 million in provincial and federal funding overall.

Despite the government’s refusal to reinstate the funding, president of the university’s student association Diane Adams stated that she would continue lobbying to keep the institution open.

CASA director leaves
Information was made public on March 15 that the national director of the Canadian Alliance of Students Associations (CASA) Arati Sharma handed in a letter of resignation.

Her last day at the position with the Canadian student lobbying group will be on March 31, after which she will be working in Toronto.

The decision was announced four days after CASA wrapped up their annual lobby conference on March 11 in Ottawa. The group will be taking further steps to seek her replacement.
–All compiled by Rebecca Vasluianu