A Ride to BCFS AGM 2025 - CNC Student Union Takes Over Burnaby!

It went from exhilarating to a life-changing experience - the 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the British Columbia Federation of Students (BCFS). It was full of energy and action, with the College of New Caledonia’s Student Union team at its core. Student representatives from across the province streamed into Burnaby, carrying a diverse set of perspectives and many shared concerns, with one common passion for the cause: student advocacy. It felt fantastic to be a part of such a dynamic, four-day atmosphere with so much discussion, debate, and high energy; people are highly committed to the changing direction of post-secondary education in the province of British Columbia. It was far from all work and no play—laughter filled the air, bonds were formed, and unforgettable moments were shared. Here’s what made this year’s conference truly special. 

The Journey Begins

On January 23, our team members flew from Prince George to Vancouver. Excitement buzzed in the air when we landed, knowing that we were going to experience something that would engulf us in learning and networking. A shuttle ride from the airport brought us straight to the venue, just in time for the event's grand opening at 3:30 PM. 

BCFS welcomed us very warmly with a lot of enthusiasm and gave us an overview of how things are structured here at the AGM. There were binders with detailed agendas prepared for what would be pretty full days ahead. This first plenary set the stage with a taste of what was in store for our discussions; followed by dinner and the opening of nominations for elections for various positions including the Directors-at-Large, we became excited with aspiring candidates throwing their hats into the ring in an effort to serve students at the provincial level. 

Later that evening, we headed to the Great Bear Pub, where the atmosphere was filled with laughter, excitement, and lively conversations. It was a fantastic opportunity to unwind after a busy day and get to know fellow student leaders from different regions. As we shared stories, exchanged ideas, and enjoyed the relaxed setting, friendships began to form, making it a perfect icebreaker for the days ahead. The evening set the tone for a conference that was not just about learning and discussions but also about building strong connections and unforgettable memories. 

Advocacy in Action

The second day kicked off with an early breakfast and went right into a set of interesting and enlightening sessions. The first session was about re-imagining student advocacy: how to address the challenges of today. It was a deep dive into the evolving landscape of student representation, equipping us with valuable strategies to amplify student voices. 

Next, we had post-secondary education to talk about: the present situation and how to make it more accessible and affordable. The afternoon presentation on the campaign forum allowed for a presentation of ongoing student-led initiatives, followed by a thought-provoking panel on how to tackle upstream solutions to fight systemic issues. Later in the evening, we also attended a very important session: the preparation of the 2025 federal election in BC. The discussion centred on motivating young voters to take part in formulating policies affecting their education and future. 

After such a power-packed and enlightening day, it was time to relax at Bingo Night! And boy, our CNCSU team really rocked, bringing home three prizes out of six from over 200 participants! It was a well-deserved respite with just the right tinge of thrill and harmless competition. By the end of the day, people were exhausted but a sense of satisfaction had already set in. 

Policies, Reforms, and Reflection

The third day was jam-packed with back-to-back interesting sessions, which started off first with the "Recent Policy Updates by IRCC and Implication for Students in BC." Both international and domestic students feel hurt and facing uncertainty by the drastic changes being observed. In this session, there was an open space for voices to be heard, allowing participants to share their thoughts and suggest possible improvements. 

One of the highlights of the afternoon was a special address from the Honourable Anne Kang, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. Her speech brought to light the government's efforts in improving experiences at the post-secondary level and acknowledged the challenges being faced by students today. This was such an impactful moment that showed just how important student advocacy is. 

As the day went on, we took part in the Indigenous Caucus and sessions that focused on the Truth and Reconciliation calls to action. It was a powerful experience that helped us understand the real struggles Indigenous students face and what schools are doing to support equity and inclusion. The Indigenous Caucus session gave us a deeper look into the unique challenges Indigenous students deal with. Throughout the day, we attended various sessions that provided insight into student leadership, activism, and campaigning. 

After a long but fulfilling day, we relaxed at Karaoke Night—one of the best moments of the trip! It was so much fun watching student leaders singing their favorite songs; some were amazing, while others were hilariously off-key. It was the perfect way to end the night! 

The Last Day

On the last day, we had a lot of photos with other locals and discussed future actions and policies that would shape the direction of the student movement in BC. The Closing Plenary was a reflective point that allowed us to look back at everything we learned and achieved over the past few days. 

One of the biggest highlights of the day had to be the election results for the Directors-at-Large. We were very excited to see Holliness Ozumba from our local CNC team win a seat! Her passion for student advocacy and commitment for making a difference will definitely have a positive impact on the federation. It was a proud moment for our team, knowing that our voice at the provincial level just got even stronger. 

Until then, as we checked out from our hotel in order to catch our various paths, we were geared up for some sense of responsibility. The BCFS’ AGM was quite the ride: intense learning, strong networking, and moments of pure unadulterated joy; and this once more proved the student advocacy in coming together for the future. 

This trip was truly inspiring and exciting! From important policy talks to amazing social events, it was the perfect mix of work and fun. We will always remember these moments. Now, we are ready to bring everything we learned back to CNC and keep working hard to support our fellow students! 

Till next time, BCFS!