Hello everyone!
October has come and gone! I hope you had a wonderful spooky season. Much has happened this month, so let me catch you up to speed!
First, Malika (Executive Director, OUSA) and I met with the Senior Manager of Government Relations at the University of Waterloo, alongside our colleagues at the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association. Here, we had the chance to discuss our advocacy priorities for the year and how they intersect with Waterloo students’ experiences.
Next, we met with the Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. Here, we discussed our advocacy priorities for the year, and ways we can work with the government to continue pushing for an accessible, affordable, accountable, high-quality, and equitable post-secondary education experience in Ontario. Thank you to Minister Quinn for meeting with us! We look forward to continued conversations throughout the year.
In October, we also met with members of the MCURES civil service to gain further updates on Bill 33 and provide follow-up on our work-integrated learning recommendations. This was a productive conversation, and we look forward to more in the future!
Alongside our colleagues at the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations, Ontario Student Voices, and the College Student Alliance, we also met with MCURES’ Chief of Staff and Manager of Policy, Issues & Public Appointments to discuss what led to Bill 33, the government’s intentions behind the Bill, and what the consultation process may look like, should the Bill get passed. This was an incredibly insightful conversation that will assist our lobbying efforts on Bill 33, helping us better understand the government’s priorities and how those impact students.
Malika also had the opportunity to meet with social policy staff from the Premier’s Office. They had a productive conversation about work-integrated learning and how to better support businesses when hiring students for placement.
October was also General Assembly (GA) month! This was OUSA’s 62nd GA, and Laurentian’s Students’ General Association (SGA) did not disappoint! This was easily the smoothest GA I have ever been to, including a plenary that wrapped up before 2:30 pm. And in case you didn’t know, that is a HUGE deal. Thank you to Tiffany, our Manager of Operations, and Staysha, our Steering Committee member from SGA, for planning such a successful conference! Tobi, our wonderful Manager of Communications, has already posted a recap blog of GA, which you can read here.
Before you go! A little birdie told me that our next edition of Educated Solutions is coming out this week, so definitely keep your eyes peeled for that! You know it’s gonna be a great read!
And finally, (on a less serious note) while I won’t be streaming Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl (sorry Swifties, it’s really not her best work), I WILL keep streaming “TIT FOR TAT” by Tate McRae. A certified banger if I’ve ever heard one!
Alright – catch you guys in the next one!
In solidarity,
Sayak