Judge dismisses URSU injunction Against U of R

REGINA — The University of Regina Students’ Union (URSU) injunction against the University of Regina (U of R) has been dismissed by a judge.

Back in April, URSU took legal action against the U of R, claiming the school was withholding fees for the 2025 winter semester. This came weeks after the U of R announced it would be terminating URSU collective agreement effective Aug. 31.

In a statement released to their social media, U of R president Dr. Jeff Keshen explained the reasoning behind withholding the fees.

“For more than a year and a half, the University has raised concerns regarding URSU’s unsustainable financial position and has tried to engage constructively with URSU leadership, offering financial and governance assistance.”

Keshen said the school gave its students’ union a chance to address these matters, but recommended steps weren't taken by the URSU.

”As a result of loss in confidence in URSU’s leadership, the University withheld the transfer of Winter 2025 student fees.”

Instead of providing URSU with the fees, Keshen explained the university introduced an interim payment protocol to provide the U of R with oversight of URSU’s spending.

However, “URSU leadership chose not to engage the payment protocol at that time and in April 2025, the University provided formal notice of termination of the agreement,” said Keshen.

As for the reasoning behind the court’s decision, Keshen said the U of R “established a real risk” regarding URSU not properly allocating student funds if the university did transfer the withheld student fees.

The court saw the payment protocol from the university as “a measure and practical method to ensure that URSU applies fees collected from students to legitimate expenses.” 

In terms of collecting fees, the court believed continuing to allow URSU this responsibility would be “irresponsible and unfair to students.”

SaskToday reached out to URSU for a response, but did not receive one by the time of publication.

Keshen said the payment protocol remains in place, and URSU has recently provided several payment requests. These are currently being reviewed and processed in accordance with that protocol.

As for core students, Keshen ensured health and dental benefits, UPass, and support for students will continue in the Fall without disruption.

Updated information will be provided in the coming weeks, along with FAQs.

“The University also remains committed to working in good faith with student leadership that demonstrates a commitment to good governance and sound financial management in the best interest of students,” he said.