Diana Idibe, Carleton University Students’ Association’s (CUSA) vice-president (student services) is the only executive to oppose the association’s referendum to defederate from the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS).

Idibe ran as part of the Confidence slate in last year’s byelection, and said she doesn’t support the defederation because it wasn’t a part of her campaign platform. She was the only candidate from Confidence to be elected as an executive.

“I think the distinction in this situation is that when I ran for CUSA and sought to represent our student body, I didn’t campaign on the issue of leaving [the CFS],” she said. “Especially because at that point I wanted to go in with an open mind and see what the organization was doing—to see if the work was something I felt was students would buy into and be successful in.”

David Oladejo, CUSA’s president, said Idibe’s support for the CFS wasn’t a surprise, as her slate’s platform ran on continuing work with the CFS.

“I think it’s pretty cool that the association is able to have executives that don’t always agree on everything,” he said. “Even internally, on other issues we don’t always agree, and it’s nice that everyone is free-thinking and is able to think by themselves, so I have nothing against that. I respect Diana as a coworker, and as an executive, she’s doing an amazing job.”

Idibe said she supports CFS because the work they do “complements” the work done by CUSA.

“There’s been the argument made that they offer services that we already offer, and as the vice-president that interacts with services in their portfolio the most frequently, I can honestly say that the work of the organization and what we’re trying to accomplish for students is only complemented by engaging with the CFS,” she said.

Idibe said she considers the CFS’ advocacy work extremely important and added that she plans on supporting CFS’ future campaigns regardless of the referendum’s outcome.

While she differs in her stance on the CFS, Idibe said her relationship with other executives has not been affected.

“The office work and the things that need to be done are getting done,” she said. “I think that we’ve been respectful in our disagreement.”

Voting for the referendum happens via paper ballot from Oct. 17-19. Students can vote with their student cards at these locations:

University Centre/Tory Atrium

Loeb Building Tunnel

Richcraft/Steacie Tunnel

Residence Commons Tunnel

Minto Building Tunnel

File photo