Team Ringo (OUSA has decided upon Beatle names for our lobby teams this week) just had morning meetings with a staffer for MPP Berardinetti, and then had a scheduled meeting with Minister Best.
With a little craziness happening inside the legislature this week, many of our meetings are being shuffled or postponed. Two MPPs are refusing to leave the house, and the speaker is quickly losing all order. More members are being called to House Duty and everything is subject to change.
So far OUSA hasn’t lost too many meetings, but a tense situation at Queens Park has everyone on edge. Our message will rise above the political bickering and emerge as the reinforcing positive memory of this week in Toronto.
-Rob Lanteigne
As we took to Queen’s Park yesterday to relay the needs of students to our members of provincial parliament, we were quickly wrapped up in what was certainly a fury of politics. The day started with an excellent press conference, progressed with an MPP sit in, and ended with a very successful alumni event.
OUSA is at Queen’s Park this week asking MPP’s to reform OSAP, target funding for student success, and to restore fair cost sharing. Members and their staff have been very receptive to our message so far, and we have been able to engage is some meaningful discussion about the future of PSE in our province.
After the effective media coverage, engaging dialogue, and exciting political performances that occurred yesterday, I am excited to see what is in store for us today.
-Kory Preston
To cap off the first day of lobby conference, OUSA hosted an alumni event last night to unwind and to gain from the surpassing wisdom of our former members. Past OUSA Presidents, Steering Committee members, home office staff, and General Assembly delegates joined the current crew for the festivities.
As OUSA prepares to celebrate fifteen years of student advocacy, it’s important we learn from our past to ensure our bright future. Involving alumni gives our students a new perspective on the issues, the organization, and what the future has in store. Thanks to everyone for coming out last night and for the encouragement and enthusiasm our alumni still show for OUSA and what we stand for.
-Susannah Gouinlock
