Blog
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Provincial OSAP Clawbacks Explained: Students deserve the funding they were promised by the federal government
TL;DR? Ontario students are not receiving more OSAP, even though the federal government is spending more to support students during the pandemic. The provincial government is clawing back the provincial portion of OSAP, which means students aren’t feeling the full benefits of the federal government's investments into financial aid. The province is using these clawbacks as a cost-savings mechanism instead of continuing normal levels of OSAP spending to support students.
It’s Brutal Out Here: The Role of Young People in Canada’s 2021 Election
On August 15th, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called a snap election to be held on September 20th after months of whispered rumors and speculations. Regardless of the political strategy behind the decision to call this election, Canadians are going to the polls in just a few days. One demographic that will play a huge role in determining our next Prime Minister and the federal policies over the next four years are young people.
This is Our Shot... To Practice Allyship: Considering the experiences of racialized students as post-secondary campuses navigate vaccine mandates
As racialized and queer* students, stepping into our respective roles as President and Vice-President University Affairs for the University Students’ Council at Western University during a pandemic was isolating in more ways than one. In addition to the physical distance between us and our team members, there is something disorienting about transitioning into positions that have historically been occupied by straight, white leaders.
Presidential Update September 2021
Hello and happy September and (almost) Fall!
I don’t know about you, but the month of August flew by! From vaccine mandate discussions to policy writing and consultations, it’s been another busy month. Over the past few days, the Western campus has been filled with incoming students moving into residence, and upper-year students gearing up for orientation week. I must say, it has been very exciting to see people back on campus and ready to take on the new school year. A big shoutout to all incoming students on starting at your respective universities and pushing through as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic!
Con•ver•sa•tions, A Podcast Series
Con·ver·sa·tions is a podcast housed here at OUSA that I decided to host and produce as a part of my summer internship. This podcast series is all about highlighting the community ingenuity, excellence, and advocacy that comes from young people in our society.
Our Collective Look-book/Magazine Launch
Our Collective Look-Book/Magazine is a digital and printed collection of 7 Indigenous Student Artist features (and one recent graduate!) from universities across Ontario.
Immigration and Allyship
Over the past few months, I have read several articles from first- and second-generation Canadians exploring their relationship to the Canadian state and how for most of their lives, they were ignorant to how deeply entrenched the Canadian government is in the oppression of Indigenous Peoples.
Presidential Update - August 2021
Hello and happy August!
I’m so excited to be writing my first Presidential Update of the year! It’s been a very busy summer as Steering Committee and I have settled into our new roles at OUSA and our respective student unions. A lot of exciting things have happened over the summer so far and I’m excited to share them with all of you.
Introducing Irum Chorghay, OUSA's New Operations and Communications Coordinator
Howdy folks!
Hailing today from Tkaronto, my name is Irum and I am pumped to join OUSA as the Operations and Communications Coordinator!
Steering Committee Introductions: Armaan Singh Kheppar
Hi all!
My name is Armaan Singh, I use he/him pronouns, and I am the Advocacy Commissioner for the University of Ottawa Students' Union (SÉUO-UOSU). I am very excited and optimistic to serve as an observer-member this year on OUSA's Steering Committee and to help better advocate for students on the provincial level.