The SSMU is guided by many Governing Documents, all of which serve different purposes in ensuring the continued functioning of the Society. Some documents are managed by the Board of Directors, others by the Legislative Council, and others are dually managed by both. For more information about the relationship between the Governing Bodies of the SSMU, click here. If you have suggestions or ideas, please contact the Policy & Advocacy Coordinator.
Please note that Internal Regulations, the Positions Book and Plans are living documents that are often revised. The SSMU endeavours to provide accurate and up-to-date versions of these documents as soon as they become available.
The SSMU in its current iteration was created through two legal mechanisms. First, it was accredited as a Student Association under the Act Respecting the Accreditation and Financing of Students’ Associations, which guarantees its existence and its ability to collect fees, among other protections. Second, it was incorporated as a Not-For-Profit Corporation under Part III of the Quebec Companies Act, which regulates certain aspects of corporate governance.
The SSMU Constitution is a document that addresses the Society’s most fundamental elements. It also serves as SSMU’s legal “By-law” for the Quebec government in relation to SSMU’s status as a non-profit corporation. The Constitution can only be altered by Referendum.
| Internal Regulations | Date Amended |
| Elections and Referenda | December 4, 2025 |
| Finances | October 10, 2025 |
| Governance | August 15, 2025 |
| Representation and Advocacy | August 15, 2025 |
| Student Groups | August 15, 2025 |
SSMU Positions describes the Society’s advocacy priorities and remains in effect until amended, superseded, or removed. The Positions Book is a compilation of these Positions that lays out the SSMU’s values regarding internal and external issues.
| Plan | Expiry Date |
| Accountability Plan | May 1, 2029 |
| Committee Improvement Plan | May 1, 2029 |
| Master Plan for Addressing Racist Surveillance and Doxxing within SSMU and McGill University | May 1, 2028 |
| Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Plan | May 1, 2028 |
| Trans Advocacy Plan | May 1, 2028 |
Protocols outline the Society’s standard operating procedures from a functional perspective. They are designed to cover the Society’s day-to-day activities and generally apply to Staff.
The Interfaculty Relations Policy is a unique document jointly adopted by the SSMU and Student Associations to provide persons with an environment where everyone is treated with respect, dignity and fairness and where all forms of discrimination, violence (including sexual violence), psychological, sexual or other forms of harassment, disrespect, dignity violation and lack of fairness are prohibited.
Policies at the SSMU previously determined the SSMU’s actions broadly; this has now been replaced by Positions Book + Plans. Policies will remain in effect until explicitly annulled or expired.
| Policies to expire | Expiry Date |
| Against Antisemitism | May 1, 2030 |
| Against Genocide in Palestine | May 1, 2028 |
| Black Student Advancement and Inclusion | January 1, 2030 |
| Climate Justice | May 1, 2029 |
| Conflict of Interest | May 1, 2028 |
| Consultation | May 1, 2030 |
| Food Security | May 1, 2030 |
| Gendered and Sexual Violence | May 1, 2029 |
| Harmful Military Technology | May 1, 2030 |
| Soutien des Affaires Francophones | January 1, 2027 |
| Sustainability | May 1, 2028 |