Blog

Hello everyone! 

November has been quite packed, so let's get right into it: 

We started off the month with the release of the Ontario government's fall economic statement, Building Ontario for You. As stated in OUSA’s initial response, we saw a continued lack of commitment to better fund post-secondary education or student financial aid, both of which remain top of mind for Ontario’s students at the moment. 

Later in the month, Malika attended a panel discussion featuring Minister Bethlenfalvy with the Canadian Club Toronto. The session was a great opportunity to learn more about the government’s priorities in various sectors and better understand their approach to investments. We also had the opportunity to meet with the Association of Municipalities Ontario. We got to learn more about their areas of focus and chat about potential opportunities for collaboration at any intersecting points of our respective upcoming work.  

From October 24th to 27th, OUSA hosted our fall General Assembly (GA) at Brock University! Like clockwork, we host this conference twice a year but this round was particularly special because it was our 60th GA in the history of the organization. That’s 60 times that students have come together, dissected policy, offered feedback, and engaged in critical discussion to approve OUSA’s policy papers.

To commemorate this milestone, OUSA had a couple of socials for delegates to partake and enjoy; but first and foremost, they were tasked with reviewing the three following papers:

1. Student Financial Aid, 
2. Environmental Sustainability, and
3. Responding to the Blue Ribbon Panel Report (a new addition to our library!) 

Hi all! 

I hope you’ve all been enjoying the spookiest month of the year, and have been able to get out and watch the leaves changing colour in the midst of midterm season. 

Shékon! Sophia Carnovale niyonkyats. Wakathahyon:ni, kanyen:kehá:ka niwakonhwentsyo:ten. Ohswe:ken tahnon Tyendinaga nitewake:non. Hi, my name is Sophia Carnovale. I am Mohawk Nation Wolf Clan from Six Nations of the Grand River and Tyendinaga Territory. I’m a second-generation residential school survivor.

As we approach the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th, I invite you to join me in marking this significant day. This day is not only a time to reflect on the painful legacy of residential schools but also an opportunity to deepen our collective understanding and work towards healing.

This year’s observance is an occasion for all Canadians to engage in meaningful activities that foster awareness and contribute to the ongoing journey of reconciliation. Whether you choose to participate in local events, attend virtual sessions, or simply take time for personal reflection, your involvement is vital. Together, we can honour the resilience of survivors and the memory of those who did not return.

Hi everyone and happy fall :)) 

September is always a big month for those of us in post-secondary… I hope all the first years are settling into their new homes, and that those of you involved in orientation are getting some well deserved rest <3 

As students return to campus, so have we!! OUSA has kicked off our campus visits, beginning with McMaster and Queen’s this past week. We had a great time meeting with both students and administration, exploring your campuses, and singing along to lots of great music during all of our road trips - next up, we’ll be visiting Ontario Tech and I’ll get to host OUSA at Western on October 30th. Home Office doesn’t know this yet, but Halloween costumes WILL be mandatory that day ;)

Hi everyone! My name is Samiksha (Sami) Babbar (she/her), and I have been given the exciting opportunity to join OUSA as the Communications Assistant for the 2024/2025 school year! 

I am in my fourth year of the Integrated Sciences program at McMaster University, concentrating in Biology and minoring in Statistics. This research-extensive, experiential learning program has allowed me to be involved in various projects including those at the Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research and within the McMaster Faculty of Science. 

Helloooo everyone!! 

Long time no chat – and I really mean it this time. These past two months have gone by faster than I ever could have imagined, but I hope everyone has been making the most of their summer! I’m sure all of us, student leaders and students alike, are enjoying the last few days before everyone returns to campus. 

As the Summer 2024 Communications and Advocacy Intern, I had the opportunity to develop and conduct a capstone project during my time at OUSA over the past few months. I was conflicted about where I wanted to go, what my intentions were, and what would make me feel fulfilled. After much deliberation and conversations with the Manager of Operations and Communications, Tiffany Li Wu, I decided to create and host OUSA’s first-ever virtual Open House!

Hi everyone!

My name is Ruth Osunde (she/her) and I am going into my fourth year of a joint honours degree at Queen’s University. This year, I will be Vice President University Affairs at the Alma Mater Society, the undergraduate student body representative at Queen’s. I was raised in Lagos, Nigeria and moved to Canada towards the end of my primary school education.

’Uy’ skweyul,

My name is Dreyden George, I am the Commissioner of External Affairs at the Alma Mater Society (AMS) at Queen’s University and a voting member of the OUSA Steering Committee.