The Tribune’s Editorial Board presents its endorsements for the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) Winter 2026 Referendum questions. The endorsements reflect a majority vote of the editorial board, with the option for editors with conflicts of interest to abstain from pertinent questions.

Increase of the SSMU ECOLE Project Fee: Yes

The Tribune endorses a ‘Yes’ vote to increase the opt-outable SSMU ECOLE Project fee from $2 CAD to $4 CAD per semester beginning in Fall 2026 until Winter 2028 (inclusive). The ECOLE Project provides subsidized housing for 11 McGill students who are responsible for alternative research and sustainability projects. Their home also functions as a community hub, where free space booking services, educational events, and annual symposiums take place. Since operating costs continue to rise, and the fee has not increased since its creation in 2015, a majority vote ‘No’ would result in significant service reductions by Fall 2027.

Renewal of the Anti-Violence Fee: Yes

The Tribune endorses a ‘Yes’ vote on the renewal of the opt-outable $0.45 CAD SSMU Anti-Violence Fee, starting in Fall 2026 until Winter 2031 (inclusive). The fee allows SSMU to address violence and harassment through staffing, training programs, advocacy initiatives, and investigation support for survivors. A majority ‘No’ vote would end funding for the enforcement of the SSMU Gendered and Sexual Violence Policy, as well as other anti-violence mandates. The awareness and accountability assisted by this fee make continued anti-violence funding essential to building a safer campus. Therefore, The Tribune endorses a Yes’ vote on this fee. 

Renewal of the WUSC Student Refugee Program Fee: Yes

The Tribune endorses a ‘Yes’ vote to renew the World Service University Canada (WUSC) Student Refugee Program Fee. The non-opt-outable student levy of $4.00 CAD per student per semester enables the sustainable sponsorship of approximately six refugee students annually. The current fee is set to expire at the end of the Winter 2026 semester, and a renewal would allow it to continue starting Fall 2026 until Winter 2031 (inclusive). A majority vote of no will prevent WUSC McGill from sponsoring refugee students in the future, ultimately suspending the student refugee program. In the face of ongoing displacement and humanitarian crises, the global demand for refugee education and resettlement support is crucial. The Student Refugee Program relies on this funding; therefore, The Tribune encourages students to vote Yes’ to renew the fee. 

Increase of the McGill Student Services Ancillary Fee: Yes

The Tribune endorses a ‘Yes’ vote to increase the McGill Student Services Ancillary Fee. This non-opt-outable fee increase of four per cent over the next three academic years will support McGill’s Student Services in its ability to offer effective services and programming. Student Services units include the Student Wellness Hub, Student Accessibility and Achievement, Scholarship and Student Aid, the Career Planning Service, the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, International Student Services, and Campus Life and Engagement. Specifically, the fee increase would make possible online appointment booking for the Student Wellness Hub, support mental health care, and finance the hiring of a permanent counsellor with an Indigenous specialty.  At present, the Student Services Ancillary Fee increases at a rate determined by the Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur indexation factor, but the fee has not been increased beyond these adjustments in the past four years. Given the chronically underfunded, understaffed, and insufficient nature of the Wellness Hub and the notable shortcomings of McGill’s programming with respect to accessibility and mobility, it is imperative that students vote ‘Yes’ for this fee increase.

Increasing and renaming of the SSMU Grocery Program Fee: Yes 

The Tribune endorses a ‘Yes’ vote to increase and rename the SSMU Grocery Program Fee. The opt-outable fee from $1 CAD to $2 CAD per semester beginning in Fall 2026 and ending in Winter 2028 (inclusive) will allow the program to continue providing free groceries and food-related resources to students in need. With rising food prices, higher living costs in Montreal, and inflation, the program plays a critical role in addressing food insecurity on campus. The SSMU Grocery Program Fee would also be renamed “SSMU Food Bank.”

Renewal of the SSMU Daycare Fee: Yes 

The Tribune endorses a ‘Yes’ vote to renew the SSMU Daycare Fee. The non-opt-outable fee will remain at a rate of $3 CAD per semester, starting in Fall 2026 until Winter 2031 (inclusive). Established in 1999, the SSMU Daycare supports student parents and members of the McGill community, providing high-quality education, care, and resources for children and parents. The renewal of the fee will ensure the daycare maintains its programs and services, promoting the well-being of families in the McGill community.  

Renewal of the McGill Writing Centre Ancillary Fee: Yes

The Tribune endorses a ‘Yes’ vote to renew the McGill Writing Centre Ancillary Fee. The non-opt-outable fee of $1.50 CAD per semester is payable by all SSMU members, starting Fall 2026 and ending Winter 2031, inclusively. The Writing Centre currently provides undergraduate students with seven hours of services per semester, offering tutoring services and collaborative guidance to strengthen students’ writing skills. Additionally, the Centre hosts Creative Writing Hubs, Wednesday All Writes, Friday Wrap Ups, and presentation tutoring that aims to improve public speaking skills. According to a survey, 100 per cent of students would recommend the Centre to a friend. A majority ‘No’ vote will result in undergraduates’ discontinued access to services provided by the Centre. Although non-opt-outable, the fee that students are paying is competitive for the services they will receive. The Writing Centre is an important tool for students with limited writing proficiency, and voting ‘Yes’ aligns with McGill’s broader goal of expanding student accessibility.

Renewal of the University Centre Fee: Yes

The Tribune endorses a ‘Yes’ vote to renew the University Centre Fee. This non-opt-outable fee accommodates increased costs under the lease agreement between McGill and SSMU. SSMU maintains that the renewal of this fee, which includes a 5.6 per cent increase from the current $10.53 fee per full-time student per term, to $11.12 per full-time student per term, is necessary to accommodate SSMU infrastructure and space-related costs for its own and student association-related activities. A majority ‘No’ vote will terminate the fee, forcing SSMU to cover building, infrastructure, and capital costs from its operating budget. This will significantly reduce SSMU’s capacity to financially support student spaces. A majority ‘Yes’ vote will renew the fee from Fall 2026 to Winter 2031 at a 5.6 per cent yearly increase. 

Ratification of the Board of Directors Members-At Large: Abstain

A majority ‘Yes’ vote will confirm the SSMU’s Board of Directors’ four Members-At-Large, Hannah Lilles, Simon Ngassam, Adam Corbier, and Rajan Duncan, as members of the Board. The Members-at-Large are unelected, appointed by the Board’s Nomination Committee. The SSMU Board of Directors is responsible for the Society’s Human Resources, legal, financial, and operational affairs. As The Tribune could not reach the Members-at-Large in time for publication,  The Tribune  Editorial Board abstains from endorsement.