In Quebec there exists the Act Respecting the Accreditation and
Financing of Students? Associations, which is a law that states
certain benefits a university/college must guarantee a student
association or student union that has been accredited to be the sole
representatives of a group of students.

Namely, a student association that undertakes the steps to become
"accredited" under the law is guaranteed office space, facilitation of
the collection of a fee levy, and the right to appoint its delegates
to the university bodies.

On the whole, the law provides that the accredited student association
is not responsible to the school, and the school cannot interfere in
its affairs. This allows the student association to work without fear
of reprisals from the school adminstration, and be only responsible to
the government of Quebec which rarely uses its power to intervene.

QUESTION: What similar laws exists elswhere in Canada, the USA, and
the world, governing the relationship between the student
associations/unions and the school or government?

Are there laws elsewhere providing for the freedom and independence of
student associations?

If not, how is the relationship governed? Is it purely based on
goodwill? Does there exist jurisprudence to govern the relationship
and protect student associations' independence in other jurisdictions?

Here in Ontario the composition of the Board of Governors for each
university is set in by the legislative act covering each institution.
When each university was formed, perhaps not right when they were
formed in the case of older universities  like Mac and York, a
position for student representation was reserved on the BoG. That is
the only legally enshrined place of student representation in Ontario
universities. Unfortunately there is only one rep per Board even in
schools with multiple student unions. Here at Laurentian the seat is
rotated from the normal student unon to the french one to the part
timer one and then to the graduate students' association changing each
year. That isn't the only area students may seek to influence
administration as, by tradition, the senate and numerous other
decision making bodies also hold open chairs designated soley for
students.

The universities are required by law to collect student fees for
student unions but there is no formal process for deciding the size of
such fees. York does not, or did not a few years ago I'm unsure if
things have changed, allow the student union to increase its student
fees. There is also nothing limiting the implimention or size of
"administration fees" charged by the universties for collecting
student associations' fees on the associations' behalf.

Space for student unions is a bit of a tricky issue. I don't believe
there is any legal requirement to provide space to student
associations. However most Ontario student unions own the buildings
they are in anyway. It gets confusing as the buildings are situated on
land owned by the universities so each student union must must come to
its own agreement with the administration regarding the facilities
they are housed in.

I hope that helps.