CONTENT WARNING: The following statement addresses the issue of gendered and sexual violence, with particular reference to the shortcomings of institutions in handling complaints. We recognize that engaging in and struggling with bureaucratic reporting structures can itself result in degrees of trauma over and above dealing with experiences of sexual violence. We encourage you to...
Dear SSMU Members, We hope this update finds you and your loved ones safe, supported, and well. We recognize that this message is overdue, but we wanted to ensure that we had received as much information as possible from McGill before communicating with our membership, particularly since we know you are all receiving a high...
Hello, Following the recent recommendations announced yesterday by the federal government, we would like to amend and clarify what was written in yesterday morning’s listserv. The line regarding small gatherings was intended to highlight that our social ties and connections to family and friends remain important during this time. However, per the government’s guidance, it...
Dear SSMU Members, In light of the directives outlined by the provincial government and the McGill communication sent out today, offices located in SSMU-operated spaces, including the SSMU front office, 3471 Peel St. and 680 Sherbrooke St. buildings, will be closed along with the University for at least the next two weeks. SSMU Services and...
Dear SSMU Members, We are pleased to announce that Mr. Daniel Dufour has joined the team as the new General Manager of the SSMU. Daniel has strong experience in fostering operational improvement across a wide variety of industries as an executive manager and we are excited to work together in helping the SSMU better serve...
In light of the rapidly developing circumstances and subsequent changes in provincial and institutional protocols surrounding the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), it is extremely important to recognize the effect these compounded stressors can have on your wellness. As such, the SSMU would like to introduce all undergraduate students to the new Keep.meSAFE mental health service that...
On the 12th of February, 2020, a blood drive took place at McGill. This was organized by Héma-Québec, a non-profit that supplies blood, among other biological substances, to Quebec hospitals. Blood collection agencies in Canada have been known to misgender trans individuals, and Héma-Québec actively refuses blood donations from men who have had sex with men...
Dear SSMU Members, For those of you who enrolled at McGill in Winter 2020, welcome. We hope this is the only time you have to receive this message. For returning students, you already know what this is going to say. In our last message to the community regarding renovations at the University Centre, we relayed...
The SSMU recognizes the RCMP invasion of unceded Wet’suwet’en territory, actions which violate ‘Anuch niwh’it’en (Wet’suwet’en law) and undermine both the Canadian and British Columbian governments’ stated commitments to Reconciliation and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Both government and industry have failed in obtaining free, prior, and informed consent from...
As many of you know, this year has seen the Quebec government pass a number of laws restricting immigration and freedom of religion. Notably, the CAQ passed Bill 21, an Act Respecting the Laicity of the State, on June 16th. This law, the third iteration of its kind, forbids public sector workers in fields that...
On November 14th, the SSMU Legislative Council passed a motion asserting the SSMU’s opposition to Bill 2, An Act to tighten the regulation of cannabis, which was passed by the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) majority in the National Assembly of Quebec. Bill 2 will raise the legal age for cannabis consumption from 18 to 21...
To the Indigenous Community, I want to first acknowledge that my actions and inactions have caused serious harm to Indigenous students on campus, individuals who the SSMU aims to represent. In this instance, I was aware of the mandate passed by Legislative Council but failed to act upon the information in a timely manner. I...