11 Massachusetts activists went on a PHENOM-sponsored trip to Montreal for several days in May. The purpose was to learn from student activists who had participated in last year’s student strike that began over tuition increases and led to the fall of the provincial government. Meeting representatives of two of the leading federations of student unions, we were impressed by the power and sophistication of the movement, the warm welcome we received, and the interest they had in our own, much more modest, movement.
We look forward to continued solidarity with our neighbors to the north. Two members of our delegation are writing a report which we will share. In the meantime, please read this account of the strike, its background and aftermath, written by one of the leaders of ASSE (Association pour une solidarité syndicale étudiante) whom we met with.