Some local student voices are hoping to have their thoughts heard when it comes to student services potentially being impacted by Ontario's Bill 33.

That push, coming from the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA), says that the bill would take too much power away from those students and institutions, placing too broad of control and power into the hands of the provincial government.

The bill, titled The Supporting Children and Students Act, introduces reforms to the current Child, Youth, and Family Services Act.

The Ontario government said it would strengthen government oversight and accountability, further addressing "financial mismanagement by school boards."

WUSA has stated, though, that it believes it will threaten existing student services, restrict outside involvement in fee structuring for educational institutions, and cut down barriers that would prevent the government from instituting wider changes.

"We vote for these fee structures because they reflect what we collectively value: emergency food support, mental health programming, and equity-based resources," said Remington Zhi, Vice President of WUSA. "Bill 33 risks pulling the rug out from under those services and from students, without consulting us at all."

As of now, WUSA represents over 30,000 student voices in the region.

WUSA said it has been looking to raise attention to those student concerns by:

The other major concern is in regards to the future of student-run publications, which currently rely on funding to maintain editorial independence and operations.

WUSA said optional fees that could be instituted under the new bill would force drastic cutbacks or possible closures to the University of Waterloo's independent on-campus newspaper, Imprint.

"Student media is essential. It provides students with a voice to hold universities and student associations accountable," said Alicia Wang, Senior Editor of Imprint and a University of Waterloo undergraduate student. "Bill 33 rides roughshod over decisions students have already made on what they value and need on campus. It is vital student media is recognized as the essential service it is on campuses across Ontario."

The student association is also urging students and concerned members of the local community to raise their issues to the attention of their local politicians.

"We urge the broader Waterloo Region to stand with students in defending student democracy."