This is it! Student unions that are taking part in CLASSE (Coalition large de l'ASSÉ—an ad hoc coalition built around the ASSÉ group of student unions but extending beyond the actual members of ASSÉ) have now reached the floor that had been determined for the unlimited general strike to take effect. As of the writing of this post, 18 student unions on 5 campuses representing around 20 210 students have obtained unlimited general strike mandates.
Strike mandates votes will continue to be held in other student unions in the coming days and weeks.
FECQ- and FEUQ-affiliated student unions are also contemplating the general strike option.
In fact, the mechanics of the strike are very similar to what happened in 2005, when a massive strike took place to protest cuts of $103 million in the Grants and Loans program: a group coalesced around the ASSÉ (then named the CASSÉÉ) took the initiative and FECQ- and FEUQ-affiliated unions gradually joined the movement. Even the timeframe is similar: the strike started on February 24 in 2005.
Some student unions might be beginning the strike as soon as next Monday.