#FundMUN Coalition to Host Provincial Election Forum on University Funding Tonight

The Memorial University Newfoundland (MUN) Coalition of Unions is hosting a public townhall event this evening ahead of the provincial election next month, to bring questions about support for the province’s only public university to all three political parties.

The event will feature a panel with speakers from each party, including the current Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development and candidates from the New Democratic Party and Progressive Conservative Party.

The Coalition of Unions includes over 20 labour unions, associations and student union groups from across all MUN campuses. The Coalition launched the #FundMUN campaign last fall and has been calling for a restoration of public funding and government support of Memorial University Newfoundland.

Bill Kavanagh, President CUPE Local 1615, is one of the Chairs of the Coalition. CUPE 1615 is the only Coalition group so far to have suffered layoffs of permanent employees amid the university’s decision to reduce the 2025-26 budget this past July, which also resulted in the closure of the Office of Public Engagement, elimination of the Harris Centre’s operating budget, and collapsing of the St. John’s campus writing centre into the Centre for Innovation in Teaching and Learning.

This event is open to the public, and attendees are invited to submit questions for the panel in advance. Links to RSVP, submit questions, and register for virtual participation can be found here: 1615.cupe.ca

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