The Canadian Federation of Students was formed in 1981 to provide students with an effective and united voice, provincially and nationally. At the time, it was recognized that for students to be truly effective in representing their collective interests to the government, it was vital to unite under one banner.Now with over 600,000 members, represented by more than 80 students' unions, the Canadian Federation of Students is the voice of post-secondary students in Canada. There are 5 member locals in Manitoba uniting over 42,000 full- and part-time students.Universities and colleges are funded primarily by the federal government and administered exclusively by the provincial government. As such, government policies and priorities determine the quality and accessibility of post-secondary education in Canada.Tuition fee levels, students financial assistance programs and funding for research are all set directly or indirectly by both levels of government. It is vital that students collectively organise at the provincial and national levels to ensure students' rights and concerns are fully represented.STRENGTH IN NUMBERSNo individual students' union, no matter how big or active, has the resources or political clout on their own to effectively influence post-secondary education policies more... See more text