The Tribune’s Editorial Board presents its endorsements of the candidates for the 2025-2026 Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) Executive Committee. Editors researched and communicated with each candidate before leading an Editorial Board discussion on the candidates’ qualifications and vision for their prospective roles. Editors with conflicts of interest abstained from discussing, writing, and editing relevant reviews. Candidates who did not respond to The Tribune’s request for comment or were unable to attend an interview were not considered for endorsement.
President
Laurence Desjardins*
Endorsement: No
Desjardins’ platform reflects student voices and concerns through its emphasis on the Boycott, Divest, Sanction movement, the CU200 Divestment movement, and improving the quality of services provided by Student Accessibility and Achievement (SAA). As the presidential candidate of the S.T.A.N.D coalition, Desjardins aims for a more collaborative and results-oriented operation within SSMU’s governance structure through transparent discussions with other executives. S.T.A.N.D also claims to have direct contacts with McGill clubs and services, which may allow more direct communication between SSMU and the broader McGill community. Desjardins has gained bureaucratic experience working with multiple community groups on and off campus, including the Gender, Sexuality, Feminism, and Social Justice Students’ Association, La table de quartier Peter-McGill, and the Quebec Public Interest Research Group (QPIRG) McGill. However, Desjardins fails to clearly outline the specific strategies and tactics needed to realize their outlined goals. Moreover, Desjardins’ lack of internal SSMU experience may pose a challenge in navigating the duties of the role. Given these concerns, The Tribune cannot endorse their candidacy. If elected, Desjardins must present concrete, attainable strategies and familiarize themselves promptly with SSMU’s structures to ensure a smooth transition into the role.
Hamza Abu Alkhair
Endorsement: Abstain
Abu Alkhair was unable to participate in an interview with The Tribune due to extenuating circumstances.
VP Clubs and Services
Mars Gagawchuk*
Endorsement: Yes, with reservations
Gagawchuk’s campaign centres on improving transparency and communication between SSMU and the clubs and services it supports. Her platform prioritizes reinstating the Services Committee, reforming reimbursement processes that require students to pay expenses out-of-pocket, and expanding mental health support. She also emphasizes addressing food insecurity through reinstating Midnight Kitchen and improving accessibility to student spaces. Drawing on experience in student organizing and as a communications coordinator for the Gender, Sexuality, feminist, and Social Justice Studies Students’ Association, Gagawchuk frames her campaign around a ‘student-first’ approach to SSMU governance. Her emphasis on transparency and improving internal processes reflects a commitment to rebuilding trust between SSMU and student groups. However, Gagawchuk’s experience lies primarily in student organizing and community advocacy, and in her interview with The Tribune she spoke vaguely about the administrative processes that make up a significant portion of the VP Clubs and Services portfolio. The Tribune endorses Gagawchuk, with reservations, believing her to be a strong candidate and encourages her to develop clear operational strategies to implement her proposals and navigate the day-to-day administrative responsibilities of the role.
Acadia Knickerbocker
Endorsement: Yes, with reservations
Knickerbocker’s platform for VP Clubs and Services is distinguished by its strong emphasis on administrative reform and its clear understanding of the structural barriers clubs and services currently face. Her proposals to complete key logistical and financial reforms over the summer—including restructuring access to club finances, ensuring services have their own bank accounts, and streamlining forms and procedures—reflect a practical and proactive approach to the portfolio. Her prior experience in SSMU governance and with the McGill Students’ Running Club as VP race director further demonstrates that she is well-prepared for the role. While Knickerbocker’s platform is strong, The Tribune encourages her to develop clearer positions on broader issues that student groups are facing, particularly where advocacy and political stance-taking are necessary. Even so, Knickerbocker presents a concrete, actionable vision for improving the day-to-day functioning of clubs and services. As such, The Tribune endorses her with reservations.
Kareem El Hosini
Endorsement: Abstain
El Hosini could not be reached in time for comment.
VP External Affairs
Justice Bongiovanni
Endorsement: Abstain
Bongiovanni could not be reached in time for comment.
Safia Haiboub*
Endorsement: Yes, with reservations
Safia Haiboub’s campaign for VP External Affairs highlighted community advocacy, specifically in campaigns against Bill C-12 and Bill 21, in addition to increasing representation for Arab and Muslim students. Haiboub also aims to hold more job fairs throughout the year while ensuring she receives feedback from the student body. The last two pillars of her campaign are to maintain solidarity with the Mohawk Mothers by spreading awareness of their cause and divesting from RBC, which is a top financier of fossil fuels. In her first semester of administration, she also aims to bring back Midnight Kitchen and increase grocery programs on campus. While most of her initiatives seem well-intentioned, Haiboub provides little tangible support or strategies for implementing them. For this reason, The Tribune endorses Haiboub with reservations.
Harry Wang
Endorsement: Yes
Harry Wang’s platform for VP External focused on achievable priorities, including addressing housing affordability through a dedicated committee, avoiding tuition hikes during Quebec’s upcoming provincial election, and advocating for greater financial support for low-income students through collaboration with McGill administration and government partners. Wang also proposes concrete affordability initiatives, including creating an SSMU housing committee and a centralized housing platform to help students find reliable rental listings and understand their tenant rights, as well as negotiating expanded transportation discounts with VIA Rail and airlines. Drawing on his experience as a student trustee representing over 50,000 students in Ontario and his current role as SSMU Parliamentarian, Wang stresses the importance of rebuilding trust in the SSMU by increasing transparency and institutional memory, increasing consultation with student groups and improving communication through clearer documentation and accessible social media updates. His focus on practical outcomes and consultation with diverse student groups positions him as an attentive advocate of both policy impact and democratic accountability. As such, The Tribune endorses Harry Wang for VP External.
VP Internal Affairs
Sophie Smithson
Endorsement: Yes
Smithon’s vision for the role of VP Internal Affairs focuses on strengthening community-building through accessible programming and improved event organization. Her platform proposes expanding free and low-barrier events, reviving Winter Carnival, and introducing regularized “Chill Nights” featuring smaller activities such as workshops, craft nights, and student markets. Drawing on extensive experience organizing large-scale events through the Engineering Undergraduate Society—including Frosh and Engineering Week—Smithson emphasizes practical improvements to event logistics, accessibility, and communication with students. She demonstrates strong preparation for the VP Internal role through her experience managing large-scale student programming and event logistics. Her focus on reducing financial and social barriers to participation, improving communication with students, and strengthening collaboration between campus groups reflects a thoughtful and practical approach to student engagement. The Tribune endorses Smithon, believing her operational experience prepares her well to strengthen campus programming and community life for McGillians.
Mia Duddy-Hayashibara*
Endorsement: Yes, with reservations
Duddy-Hayashibara’s campaign for the role of VP Internal demonstrates a strong drive to create change on campus, with plans to reinstate some of the 24 sports teams cut by McGill Athletics in Fall 2025, though her strategy for doing so remains unclear. She also intends to work alongside the VP External to restructure SSMU’s current free lunch service back into Midnight Kitchen, for which Duddy-Hayashibara was previously a volunteer. She explains actionable ways SSMU could better represent students’ decisions on the Policy Against Genocide in Palestine by cutting ties with companies complicit in Israel’s ongoing genocide, such as excluding companies like the Royal Bank of Canada from career and tech fairs. She also intends to host workshops to educate new students on the policy. While Duddy-Hayashibara has prior experience as an SSMUnion member, she has not served in an SSMU governance role, raising concerns about her ability to carry out her plans if elected. As such, The Tribune endorses Duddy-Hayashibara with reservation.
Anna El Murr
Endorsement: No
El Murr’s platform for VP Internal is centred on strengthening student engagement and improving the connection between the executive team and the broader student body. Her proposals to make events more accessible and inclusive—such as sober-friendly, free or low-cost activities, as well as wellness events, animal therapy, and cooking classes tied to food security—show a clear commitment to fostering community on campus. El Murr also emphasizes improving communication with students through more targeted listservs, bilingual outreach, social media visibility, and regular feedback mechanisms such as surveys. Her experience in the ChESS First Year Council, MERTW, and as an Engineering representative at SSMU suggests a genuine commitment to student involvement across campus. However, her platform lacks concrete details on how these ideas would be carried out over the course of her mandate. While her enthusiasm and focus on inclusivity are commendable, her limited experience in executive positions raises questions about her readiness for the role. For these reasons, The Tribune does not endorse her candidacy for VP Internal.
Maggie Tang
Endorsement: No
Tang’s campaign focuses on safety, inclusivity, and “good vibes.” Her platform foregrounds goals of making the SSMU more accessible and engaging by promoting a community-based culture and aesthetic content. If elected, she will focus on creating more SSMU events—such as reimplementing a Winter Carnival and SSMU’s Got Talent—and on offering more free events and lowering ticket prices. Despite Tang’s relevant experience—she is currently serving as the SSMU’s Internal Administrator and a Faculty of Arts Senator—she fails to outline concrete, actionable steps she will take to make events and the broader McGill community more inclusive and accessible. Furthermore, her campaign frames the VP Internal role as apolitical; The Tribune believes it is imperative that the VP Internal understands the political nature of inclusivity and accessibility. If elected, we encourage Tang to tailor specific goals to her position and to recognize the political nature of inclusivity. However, due to the aforementioned concerns, The Tribune does not endorse Tang as VP Internal.
VP University Affairs
Cecelia Callaghan*
Endorsement: Yes, with reservations
Callaghan’s campaign focuses on pushing back against McGill’s austerity measures, creating a clear AI policy on campus, and fostering student activism by opposing the proposed Identification Policy and pressuring the administration to acknowledge and act on the Policy Against Genocide in Palestine. Callaghan also wants to improve access to gender-affirming care and expand support for trans students by working closely with the Trans Patient Union. Her campaign additionally advocates for improved access to mental health resources on campus, including improved SAA support. However, The Tribune urges Callaghan to narrow down specific actions, acknowledging the need for a candidate with more tangible goals and previous experience in SSMU politics. As such, The Tribune endorses Callaghan as VP University Affairs with reservations.
Meghan Lai
Endorsement: Yes, with reservations
Bringing in experience as Education Student Senator for the 2025-26 school year, Meghan Lai’s campaign expands her previous work in student politics in advocating for overlooked groups on campus and striving to enhance the student experience. She is running on a three-pillar platform, focused on academics, thriving student services, and a supportive community on campus. Lai wants to work to consolidate power away from the Board of Governors, believing the Senate is more democratically diverse. Additionally, she believes there should be a universal AI policy across campus, rather than variation across different departments. While Lai has a considerable amount of experience, making her a favourable candidate, her platform does not engage deeply with social justice advocacy on campus, which The Tribune believes is an integral part of the role. For this reason, The Tribune endorses Lai as VP University Affairs with reservations.
*Students for Transparency, Anti-Austerity, New Voices and Direct Democracy (S.T.A.N.D coalition)
