Youth participation within the Canadian political sphere is currently experiencing a drought. In the 2011 federal election, the voter turnout for the ages 18-24 was a measly 38.8 per cent, while the 25-34 demographic was at 45.1 per cent, respectively the lowest and second lowest among all age demographics. While[Read More…]
Articles by Sam Pinto
An evolving brand: Frank and Oak launch a tech-savvy marketing platform
today’s online world of instant access to everything, it’s tough to find a company that’s able to stand out and distinguish itself amongst the vast array of retail brands increasingly focused on web-based sales. However, Montreal-based Frank and Oak has succeeded in this regard, grasping the attention of a tech-savvy,[Read More…]
Chill Thrills: Keeping it cool at Carnaval de Quebec
Before midterms start to constrict your weekends, take a short trip off to Quebec City—the old, charming, and snowy provincial capital just a three-hour drive away. Every year, the city hosts Carnaval de Québec, one of the world’s largest winter festivals, going on from now until Feb. 15. Almost a[Read More…]
Faded Red
The 1960s and 1970s are widely known as decades of extreme change, but few places in North America saw such a dramatic pivot in their social, economic, and political construct as Quebec. A time of radicalism, this period was characterized by new ideas flowing into the province from all directions.[Read More…]
Daycare space for McGill limited, waiting list over 700 children long
The Post-Graduate Students’ Society (PGSS) is seeking to reapply to open a daycare centre after having been denied twice by the provincial government. Currently, members of the McGill community face a shortage of daycare spaces, with university waiting lists for daycare spaces running over 700 children. According to PGSS Member[Read More…]
New year, new options
There was an aura of uncertainty surrounding the Gerts Students Bar as summer approached. Following the failure of the Building Referendum Fee last March, it appeared inevitable that price increases would hit Gerts. While there may have been some growing bar prices, Gerts has increased food and drink options, with[Read More…]
SSMU executive interviews
Courtney Ayukawa, President What have you done this summer? I’ve been getting used to my role and the responsibilities and getting to know SSMU really well. I’ve also worked with our human resources advisor to draft and implement a Mental Health Policy for our permanent staff, which is really exciting.[Read More…]
Timeline: the year in review
A look back at 2013-14.
Out-of-province students face difficulities in voter registration
An unclear definition of requirements to vote in the upcoming Quebec election has led some students to be refused the right to vote on April 7. According to the Quebec Election Act, a person has the right to vote if they are at least 18 years of age, are a[Read More…]
SSMU finances jeopardized by University Centre Fee referendum failure
The failure of the University Centre Building Fee question in the Winter referendum could lead to drastic cuts to the services provided by the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU). The proposed fee would have cost $6.08 for full-time students and $3.04 for part-time students per semester and was intended[Read More…]
Canada’s Final Frontier: Understanding Arctic Sovereignty
The Arctic is a place of unfound possibilities and potential opportunities, to the point that five countries have laid claim to much of the region. In fact, these disputes are serious enough that politicians have advocated for increased military presence to enforce their sovereignty in the Arctic. Whether or not[Read More…]
GA to vote on student academic rights, early access to course info
On Feb. 5, the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) will be hosting its Winter semester General Assembly (GA). Five motions are scheduled for voting by all SSMU members. The GA needs 100 people present to reach quorum and pass binding resolutions. Motion Regarding the Guarantee of Freedom of Dress[Read More…]
Wait times decrease at Mental Health and Counselling Services due to surge in funding
Wait times for students accessing McGill’s Mental Health Clinic and Counselling Clinic have been reduced dramatically due to an increased $400,000 of funding in the Fall of 2013. In comparison to this time last year, the waitlist for Mental Health Services has decreased from 270 to 56 persons, while wait[Read More…]
Sinfully Asian lease expiration could mean changes for Bronfman
With Sinfully Asian’s contract scheduled to expire in May, McGill Food and Dining Services (MFDS) will determine in the coming months what will happen to its location on the main floor of the Bronfman Building. Upcoming decisions include whether MFDS, which works under under McGill Housing and Hospitality Services, will[Read More…]
Senate takes official stance against Charter
Opposition to the proposed Quebec Charter of Values, as well as the effects of a new class scheduling system were the subjects of debate at McGill Senate’s Nov. 20 meeting. Resolution on the Charter Senate unanimously approved a resolution presented by Principal Suzanne Fortier to condemn Bill 60, the[Read More…]
Revised SSMU budget defers projected 2014 deficit
The Students’ Society of McGill University’s (SSMU) Council has approved a revised 2013-2014 budget that broke even after initial projections forecasted a $90,000 deficit from last fiscal year. According to the budget presented at Council last Thursday, SSMU currently projects a surplus of $50,000 for fiscal year 2014. The $50,000[Read More…]
SSMU Council endorses funding for anti-oppression training
Last Thursday’s Council also endorsed funding an anti-oppression training program that would teach students and floor fellows in McGill residences how to deal with issues of discrimination, oppression, and harassment. The project was presented to Council by Emily Clare, an alumnus and former vice president of University Affairs. “The 2011[Read More…]
Students to vote on Midnight Kitchen, SSMU Daycare fee
Students will head to the polls Nov. 6 up to 15 to vote in the upcoming Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU)’s Fall referendum period. Four questions have been approved to appear on the ballot—two regarding the existence and a funding increase for the Midnight Kitchen, one regarding a fee[Read More…]
Post-doctoral fellows to vote on mandatory services fee
Post-doctoral fellows will vote on the creation of a $136.44 per semester student services fee during the upcoming referendum period for the Post-Graduate Students’ Society (PGSS), which runs from Nov. 8 to Nov. 14. If passed, the question mandates a non-optoutable fee for all post-doctoral fellows, which would allow them[Read More…]
Is TaCEQ right for SSMU?
This year, the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) will be spending $17,000 on its membership to the Table de Concertation Étudiante du Québec (TaCEQ). Better known as the Quebec Student Roundtable, the organization is a student federation that seeks to represent its members on issues regarding student affairs by[Read More…]
New $2,500 Dentistry student fee to help fund faculty relocation
Incoming Dentistry students for Fall 2014 will pay a new mandatory $2,500 fee per semester to contribute to the Faculty of Dentistry’s $18 million relocation project. The fee is the result of a student-initiated referendum question run through the Dental Students’ Society (DSS), and will not affect current students. Announced[Read More…]
McGill seeks to appeal ATI commission decision
McGill has filed an appeal to an Oct. 7 ruling made by the Commission d’accès à l’information, a decision that denied the university’s request for the ability to deny future Access to Information (ATI) requests at its discretion. The Quebec Court of Appeal will announce whether they accept the motion[Read More…]
What happened last week in Canada?
The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that the use of drug-sniffing police dogs on suspects is legal, as long as officers have “reasonable suspicion based on objective, ascertainable facts” that their suspects are engaged in illegal activity.
McGill rescinds fee for Mental Health Services
On Thursday, Ollivier Dyens, Deputy Provost (Student Life and Learning), announced that McGill has removed its one-time $20 registration fee for students using McGill’s Mental Health Services. Students who have already paid the fee at the beginning of September will be reimbursed.
News in brief
The Quebec Superior Court has granted approval for a class action lawsuit to proceed to trial, in a case against the city of Montreal for the alleged abuse and mass arrest of more than 500 student protesters during a university tuition demonstartion on May 23, 2012.
Quebec Charter faces opposition in McGill community
The Parti Québécois’ (PQ) proposal to ban public sector workers from wearing religious symbols in government workplaces has faced criticism this past week, including an opposition campaign run by several McGill professors, protests in Montreal, and criticism from political leaders across Canada.
What happened last week in Canada?
Residents of Pictou, Nova Scotia, are demanding that the Northern Pulp Nova Scotia Corporation mill be held accountable for damages to health and to the environment caused by its pollution since its opening in 1967.
Fortier begins term as principal
On Sept. 5, Dr. Suzanne Fortier began her five-year term as McGill’s principal and vice chancellor, succeeding Principal Heather Munroe-Blum, whose term ended on June 30. Fortier is the 17th person—and the second woman— to fill the position.
International students face visa delays
As thousands of international students begin their Fall semester at McGill this week, visa delays caused by a strike at Canada’s foreign embassies may prevent some students from starting classes on time.
Meet your SSMU executives
Katie Larson: President What have you accomplished this summer? This summer really felt like it got going around the end of July. Transitioning into the role of a SSMU executive is not easy, and I think we all finally have the basics under our belts. In my portfolio, the main[Read More…]
Indigenous studies minor officially announced
On Apr. 12, KANATA announced that an indigenous studies minor will be officially created within the Faculty of Arts. KANATA is an undergraduate journal that publishes work by indigenous students at McGill. The idea to develop an indigenous studies program was presented two years ago at a KANATA peer-to-peer conference.[Read More…]