October 5-8, 2026
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vote yes
bcfs
Referendum at a glance
UNBC undergraduates are voting on joining the BC Federation of Students, a province-wide organisation representing students across British Columbia
Who: UNBC undergraduate students
When: October 5-8, 2026
Where: TBD
Decision: To join the British Columbia Federation of Students
Cost: $11.48 per semester, adjusted annually by the rate of increase in the National Consumer Price Index
3 reasons to vote yes
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Joining the BCFS would give access to instant cost-savings to UNBC undergraduates:
The Deals App, a provincial student discount program with over 300 discounts on food, travel, and more. The Deals App costs $14.99 annually for non members, but is free as a benefit of BCFS membership.
Bulk purchasing, the BCFS coordinates this service to ensure students’ societies have access to affordable and ethically produced products such as dayplanners, water bottles, notebooks, pens, and more. By working together, we create an economy of scale to make students’ money go further.
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By joining the BCFS, UNBC undergraduates will advance the effort to lower tuition fees, increase non-repayable grants, increasing public funding to post-secondary, and creating stronger limits on tuition fee increases.
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Joining the BCFS would bring UNBC undergraduate priorities directly into coordinated provincial advocacy.
“I first knew the BCFS through its work advancing equity. Inclusive initiatives like pronoun pins and the Unlearn campaign helped affirm that I had chosen the right institution. These details matter to marginalized students across BC.”
What would actually change?
Joining the BC Federation of Students would add province-wide representation, research, campaign resources and shared services. Northern Undergraduate Student Society would remain independent and continue making its own campus-level decisions.
A stronger student voice
What membership adds
Northern Undergraduate Student Society would become an equal member of a province-wide federation of post-secondary students.
How it works
- Every member students’ union has an equal vote, regardless of its campus size or student population.
- Representatives selected by Northern Undergraduate Student Society would bring UNBC priorities to BCFS meetings and participate in shared decisions.
- Each UNBC undergraduate student would also be an individual member of the BCFS.
What students gain
UNBC undergraduates would have a meaningful and equal voice in province-wide student advocacy.
More government influence
What membership adds
Northern Undergraduate Student Society would join an established organisation that has brought student priorities to government decision-makers for over 50 years.
How it works
- The BCFS meets with elected officials and presents research-based public-policy recommendations on issues affecting post-secondary students.
- Northern Undergraduate Student Society representatives would contribute UNBC priorities and Northern and rural perspectives to this advocacy.
What students gain
UNBC undergraduates’ experiences would become part of a larger, coordinated voice advocating to government.
Research-backed campaigns
What membership adds
Northern Undergraduate Student Society would gain access to province-wide research, campaign materials and communication resources.
How it works
- The BCFS develops policy proposals and campaign materials using research, data, policy analysis and students’ experiences.
- Northern Undergraduate Student Society could adapt shared organising tools and communications materials to reflect UNBC’s circumstances and priorities.
What students gain
UNBC undergraduates would benefit from stronger campaigns informed by evidence and tailored to Northern realities.
More support for your students’ society
What membership adds
Northern Undergraduate Student Society would gain access to shared services and purchasing programs designed for students and their students’ societies.
How it works
- UNBC undergraduates could access available student discounts through the BCFS Deals app.
- Northern Undergraduate Student Society could participate in ethical bulk purchasing and other shared programs while retaining control of its budget, services and campus-level decisions.
What students gain
UNBC undergraduates could receive additional services and support while decisions about their campus continue to be made locally.
Proof that collective action works
When students organise across campuses, they can help turn shared priorities into public policy.
These are four examples of changes achieved through sustained student advocacy.
Student debt
Interest eliminated on student loans
Interest was eliminated on provincial and federal student loans, reducing the amount borrowers are required to repay over time.
tuition affordability
Domestic tuition increases capped at 2%
Annual tuition increases for domestic students at BC public post-secondary institutions were limited to 2%.
international students
Off-campus work rights expanded
International students gained greater opportunities to work off campus while completing their studies, increasing from 20 to 24 hours per week.
Student financial aid
The BC Access Grant introduced
Eligible students gained access to additional non-repayable financial assistance to help with the cost of post-secondary education.
frequently asked questions
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The BC Federation of Students is a provincial federation of student societies. Its members work together on research, government advocacy, province-wide campaigns, and shared student services.
Membership would connect UNBC undergraduates with students across British Columbia while giving Northern Undergraduate Student Society an equal voice in Federation decisions.
Individual students as well as their respective students’ society are members of the BCFS.
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Membership would cost $11.48 per semester for each eligible UNBC undergraduate.
The fee would be collected with other student fees and remitted by UNBC to the BCFS. Fees are adjusted annually by the rate of increase in the National Consumer Price Index.
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Yes. Northern Undergraduate Student Society would remain an independent students’ society responsible for its own governance and campus-level decisions. It would continue determining its local priorities, budget, services, campaigns and operations.
BCFS membership would add opportunities for shared advocacy and services; it would not transfer control of Northern Undergraduate Student Society to the Federation.
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The Northern Undergraduate Student Society would select representatives through its own processes.
Those representatives would bring UNBC priorities, concerns and experiences to BCFS meetings and report information back to Northern Undergraduate Student Society.
Every member students’ union has an equal vote, regardless of its campus size or student population.
Individual students as well as their respective students’ society are members of the BCFS.
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UNBC undergraduates would receive access to the BCFS Deals App, with hundreds of discounts on food, travel, clothing and other everyday purchases. Access to the app would be included as a benefit of membership.
Membership would also give the Northern Undergraduate Student Society access to research, training, campaign materials, communications support, ethical bulk purchasing and shared organising tools. These resources could be adapted to UNBC’s needs, helping the Northern Undergraduate Student Society provide stronger services, run more effective campaigns and advocate for the issues affecting students.
Essentially, students would gain new opportunities to save money and a better-supported students’ society with more capacity to act on their priorities.
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Many decisions affecting tuition, student financial assistance, housing and post-secondary education are made beyond an individual campus.
A provincial organisation allows students’ unions to coordinate research, campaigns and government advocacy. It would also ensure that Northern and rural student experiences form part of a larger voice speaking to decision-makers.
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All undergraduate students currently enrolled at UNBC are eligible to vote in the referendum.
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Voting will take place online from October 5-8, 2026. Eligible students will receive an email at their UNBC student email address containing a link to their ballot. Follow the link in the email to cast your vote.
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If a majority of participating students vote “Yes”, the Northern Undergraduate Student Society will become a member of the British Columbia Federation of Students, and UNBC undergraduate students will become members of the Federation.
Students will gain access to the Federation’s campaigns, advocacy, services, and student discount program. The Northern Undergraduate Student Society will also have an equal vote in the Federation’s decision-making processes, alongside every other member students’ union.
The Northern Undergraduate Student Society will remain an independent, student-led organisation. It will continue to make its own decisions, set its own priorities, and represent UNBC undergraduate students locally.