On Jan. 22, McGill’s Quebec Public Interest Research Group (QPIRG-McGill) chapter held an information session on how to run for student government positions at the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU), titled “Fix Student Democracy.” The talks explored how student involvement in these administrative positions can enact positive change for[Read More…]
Tag: democracy
SSMU-hosted municipal debate cancelled after protests from audience
On Oct. 27, the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) hosted a debate in the University Centre Ballroom between representatives from four Montreal parties that competed in the municipal election: Ensemble Montréal, Futur Montréal, Projet Montréal, and Transition Montréal. Angela Campbell, professor in the Faculty of Law and Interim Deputy[Read More…]
Francois Legault’s climate policy is an unforced error
Anxious about his plummeting approval rating, Quebec Premier François Legault is shrinking away from one of his strongest positions: Fighting climate change. Earlier this month, Legault’s government announced it will end funding for the Climate Action Barometer (CAB), an annual survey that allows Quebecers to voice their opinions about their[Read More…]
Term limits on elected officials infringe on democracy
In advance of the upcoming election, Canadians are haunted by a seemingly innocent quandary—do term limits break democracy? But let’s start with a different question, one you probably know the answer to: How long can any given Canadian prime minister govern? If you answered, “Until they’re voted out or resign,”[Read More…]
When democracy is detained, Türkiye’s youth stand alone
Some mornings begin with coffee; others begin with the news that a friend from high school is in jail. As an international student, life abroad feels like a dream—until reality hits and helplessness kicks in. Students, journalists, and lawyers are behind bars—and so is Ekrem Imamoglu, Türkiye’s strongest opposition leader.[Read More…]
Through love, we can protect the heart of democracy
The first time I saw democracy in action, it was not through a cast vote, but a love letter to the future. Before I was old enough to vote, my mom and dad would bring me to the polling stations in my hometown of Barrie, Ontario to watch the events[Read More…]
The convoy should truck off
On Jan. 15, the federal government implemented a vaccine mandate for all cross-border essential workers, including truckers—meaning that unvaccinated drivers would have to quarantine for 14 days, and self-test after the eighth day whenever they enter Canada. Backlash has been fierce ever since, marked most obviously by the self-proclaimed “Freedom[Read More…]
Federal candidates must work harder to earn students’ support
Viewers of the federal leaders’ debates on Sept. 9 and 10 heard many promises to solve the country’s problems. Unfortunately, details about the implementation of these sweeping goals were missing. Young people, in particular, may have felt left out of the discourse, as student issues were barely mentioned in either[Read More…]
Take note: It’s time to vote
Millions of students will head to the polls on Sept. 20 to vote in the federal election. With the semester underway and the pandemic here to stay, many people feel lost in a dizzying haze of parties, ideologies, and options. From climate change, to racial injustice, to more efficient healthcare,[Read More…]
New research centre to usher in the era of digital democracy
In an age of increased globalization, social media makes it easy for people to voice their opinions online, discuss issues, organize around causes, and hold leaders accountable. However, media and technology have a tendency to amplify both positive and negative trends in contemporary discourse. In recent years, media technologies, and[Read More…]
