With no motions and only four attendees, Mar. 31 general assembly concludes in under 20 minutes and sparks renewed concern about engagement in student politics
On Monday, Mar. 31, the McMaster Students Union held its annual General Assembly, with no student participation. Adam El-Kadi, the MSU's vice president (administration) and chair of the meeting, opened the event at 5:03 p.m. and adjourned it just 18 minutes later at 5:21 p.m. Only four MSU members were present, far short of the approximately 780 students required to meet a quorum.
With no submitted motions and no observers in attendance, the meeting consisted only of a land acknowledgement, a brief procedural explanation and a presentation by MSU president Jovan Popovic. The official minutes confirmed the assembly was non-quorate, meaning any motions passed would be non-binding.
The General Assembly is one of the few democratic avenues through which any MSU member, meaning all full-time undergraduate students, can propose motions directly to the union. In contrast, most MSU policy decisions go through the Student Representative Assembly, which meets biweekly and involves elected faculty representatives.
A motion to adopt the agenda passed with four votes in favour and none opposed. Popovic then delivered his presidential report before the meeting concluded at 5:21 p.m.
In the weeks leading up to the event, the MSU made a post informing students to attend and submit motions, calling the GA a chance to shape the union's operations and advocate for change. Despite this, not a single motion was proposed by students.
Low attendance and engagement with student politics has been a consistent challenge in recent years for the MSU. But this year's lack of turnout has drawn particular concern from student leaders. In an email statement, Jovan Popovic, the MSU president, expressed concern about the lack of students who directly participate in shaping the direction of the organization's future.
Low attendance and engagement with student politics has been a consistent challenge in recent years for the MSU. But this year's lack of turnout has drawn particular concern from student leaders.
"Despite considerable outreach efforts, which included social media, banners, printed materials and features in our monthly newsletter, we saw a disappointing turnout of only four students. This outcome is deeply concerning, especially when we consider the reach of our communication channels. For instance, our March newsletter alone was read by over 10,000 students. If just 10% of those readers had attended, we would have far surpassed quorum," stated Popovic.
Popovic emphasized the union's commitment to improving future engagement, including starting promotion earlier in the academic year and collaborating with student leaders across campus.
"Our goal is to empower students to understand how their involvement in the GA can drive real, meaningful change on campus and ensure that the MSU truly represents the diverse voices of our student body," he stated.
Our goal is to empower students to understand how their involvement in the GA can drive real, meaningful change on campus and ensure that the MSU truly represents the diverse voices of our student body.
Jovan Popovic
President, McMaster Students Union
Although this year's meeting was largely procedural, the MSU maintains that the GA remains a vital part of its democratic structure. Moving forward, the union hopes new strategies and broader student outreach will reverse the downward trend in turnout.
For now, the empty seats at this year's GA serve as a reminder of the gap between available student governance platforms and student participation in them.
McMaster research is leading the charge in transforming research into real-world solutions and shaping Hamilton’s political future
Written By: Logan Rae, Opinion Contributor
McMaster University is an influential force shaping Hamilton's ever-growing political landscape, driving policy decisions through critical research, advocacy and unique collaboration with local leaders. As an institution that so profoundly affects Hamilton’s policies, McMaster is proving that academic expertise is crucial in building a stronger, more equitable city.
With Hamilton’s ever-growing aging population, city officials have been struggling to make the city more age-friendly.
With Hamilton’s ever-growing aging population, city officials have been struggling to make the city more age-friendly.
One standout example of McMaster's research driving positive local change is the work being conducted by the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging.
MIRA provides valuable insights, resulting in major policy recommendations incorporated into Hamilton’s new Age-Friendly Plan. Some of these initiatives include improving public transportation, enhanced accessibility and the creation of more inclusive public spaces designed with the needs of seniors in mind.
Likewise, another way McMaster University's research creates a profound impact on policy is through the department of political science, which conducts detailed research that significantly influences the municipal government on political strategies and decisions.
For instance, professor Robert Anderson, who holds the Senator William McMaster Chair in Political Sociology, has previously analyzed factors influencing voting trends and behaviour. Anderson's work emphasizes the value of leadership in terms of popularity in electoral outcomes, providing key insights for political stakeholders. His research highlights how a leader’s public perception can directly influence campaign strategies, voter behavior and political decision-making.
Similarly, environmental sustainability is a crucial area in which McMaster's research makes substantial waves. The McMaster Centre for Climate Change has partnered with the City of Hamilton to develop data-driven strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for climate-related disasters.
For instance, one stand-out initiative is the Urban Heat Mapping Project, which uses innovative satellite imagery and valuable community input to identify neighbourhoods most susceptible to extreme heat.
Importantly, McMaster researchers are spearheading major efforts to transition Hamilton towards renewable energy that is cost-effective and reliable. Local businesses and utility services have helped to implement pilot projects for the adoption of solar energy and energy-efficient building retrofits, aligning Hamilton’s policies with its climate targets.
Like many cities across Canada, Hamilton is experiencing a major housing affordability crisis. To combat this issue, researchers from McMaster’s department of economics and the School of Social Work have joined forces to analyze housing trends and propose new solutions. This impactful research helped shape the city council’s decision to implement a vacant home tax designed to incentivize property owners to either rent out or sell unused homes
This impactful research helped shape the city council’s decision to implement a vacant home tax designed to incentivize property owners to either rent out or sell unused homes
To give an illustration, a study conducted in 2022 by McMaster scholars revealed that vacant properties could be repurposed to address the vast housing crisis occurring in Hamilton. This impactful research helped shape the city council’s decision to implement a vacant home tax designed to incentivize property owners to either rent out or sell unused homes.
Overall, the strong partnerships between and collaboration between McMaster University and the City of Hamilton serve as inspiration for how academic institutions and local governments can collaborate
to drive meaningful change at the local level.
Fourth-year McMaster student campaigning to be Member of Provincial Parliament for nearby riding in upcoming provincial by-election
Joshua Bell, a fourth-year political science student at McMaster University, is running to be the next member of provincial parliament for Flamborough-Glanbrook in the upcoming provincial by-election on Feb. 27, 2025. Bell, the Ontario Liberal Party candidate for the riding just outside of Hamilton, is campaigning on issues of healthcare, education and affordability, running against incumbent PC MPP Donna Skelly.
Bell, who has lived in the area his entire life, said his decision to run stemmed from long-standing community involvement and concerns over public service funding cuts.
“We have teachers and schools that are not being looked after and we have funding being cut left and right from our social and public services . . . We need schools to be adequately funded. Heating should be working during the winter and ACs during the summer and in some of our schools that’s not the case,” said Bell.
We need schools to be adequately funded. Heating should be working during the winter and ACs during the summer and in some of our schools that’s not the case.
Joshua Bell, Fourth-Year Political Science Student
McMaster University
He also emphasized addressing challenges with the healthcare system, including emergency room closures and staffing shortages, as key issues his campaign is focused on.
Bell has been involved in mental health and wellness advocacy and supported the implementation of Canada’s national 988 suicide crisis helpline, which was launched in November 2023. He believes there is a lack of adequate healthcare services in the province.
“ERs should not be closing or having to reduce their hours in order to just deliver care because the number of nurses is so short . . . Our healthcare system isn’t keeping pace with the needs of the province, especially for our aging population,” said Bell.
ERs should not be closing or having to reduce their hours in order to just deliver care because the number of nurses is so short . . . Our healthcare system isn’t keeping pace with the needs of the province, especially for our aging population.
Joshua Bell, Fourth-Year Political Science Student
McMaster University
Bell said that, as a McMaster student, he has engaged with student leaders and organizations but has primarily focused his efforts on broader community initiatives.
“I did meet in an official capacity with MSU presidents and VPs over the last number of years . . . I had met with all three candidates in the recent MSU presidential election and had discussions about health and wellness, the economy and housing,” said Bell.
Bell outlined his support for reinstating policies aimed at providing greater financial support for students, including delaying Ontario Student Assistance Program repayments until graduates earn a minimum of $50,000 annually.
Bell acknowledged that his candidacy as a student is unusual but said it should not deter voter engagement.
“I’ve always been active in some kind of volunteer role within our community . . . If you really care about something and really want change, you’re willing to make the time, meet with the people in your community that are being directly affected and work toward solutions,” said Bell.
Bell emphasized that he believes that it is important for students to vote in elections.
“Student engagement is really important, just like our middle-aged and senior populations . . . It’s important to come out and have your voices heard, talk to your candidates, talk to your MPPs and MPs,” said Bell.
With his graduation approaching, Bell said his primary focus remains on the campaign and serving his community.
“My focus has been and will continue to be on my community,” he said.
Advanced polling will run until Feb. 22, with the election set for Feb. 27. More information on voter registration and polling locations will be available through Elections Ontario.
The local government shapes your rent, your commute and your city, so students ought to care more about it
When you think about politics, your mind might immediately jump to federal elections, sweeping debates, or international diplomacy. But what about the city council meetings happening just down the street? For McMaster students, engaging with the local government is an opportunity to shape the environment where you live, study and work.
From the reliability of Hamilton’s public transit to the affordability of your rent, municipal policies directly affect the quality of life for students. Yet, voter turnout and civic engagement among young people in municipal elections remain staggeringly low. Why does this matter and what can you do about it?
Hamilton’s municipal government plays a critical role in areas that students interact with daily. Take public transit, for example. Many McMaster students rely on the Hamilton Street Railway to commute to campus or explore the city.
However, HSR faces challenges like route coverage, frequency of service and maintaining infrastructure to meet growing demand. Who oversees the HSR’s budget and operations? The local government.
Housing is another pressing concern. With Hamilton’s rental market seeing sharp increases, students are finding it harder to secure affordable housing. The city council has the power to implement policies that could alleviate this crisis, such as promoting the construction of affordable housing, offering incentives for student-focused developments, or introducing rent controls with careful economic considerations.
While rent controls can help address affordability, they must be balanced to avoid discouraging housing development or creating unintended consequences for the market.
Beyond transit and housing, the city manages critical services like waste collection, public safety and even climate initiatives. Whether it’s fixing potholes, expanding bike lanes, or addressing flooding risks, these decisions influence your everyday experience in Hamilton.
One reason why some students may shy away from local politics is a sense of detachment. You might feel like a temporary resident of Hamilton, especially if you’re living on campus or planning to move after graduation.
However, even if you’re only here for a few years, the decisions made by local leaders will affect your time at McMaster and the next wave of students after you. By advocating for change now, you leave behind a legacy that benefits not only yourself but also future students.
Another barrier is the perception that local politics are dull or inaccessible. City council meetings can seem bureaucratic, with long agendas and jargon-filled discussions.
However, understanding these processes is easier than you think. Most council updates and meeting minutes are available online. Many discussions centre on issues that directly impact your daily life, like bus schedules or parking policies.
Students have demonstrated their ability to drive change when they come together.
Students have demonstrated their ability to drive change when they come together. Just look at past advocacy efforts at McMaster. Campaigns around issues like campus safety and mental health services have led to tangible improvements.
A notable example is the establishment of the MSU service Maccess, a peer support service dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment for students with disabilities. Maccess aims to build and maintain a campus that celebrates, advocates and ensures inclusiveness of disability identities.
Engaging with local government doesn’t mean you have to run for office or dedicate hours to activism every week. You can get involved by following local news outlets and staying informed, making sure that you vote in elections, joining a McMaster club that focuses on advocacy, or even by attending a city council meeting or reaching out to your city councillor.
The MSU is also a great place to get involved with local decision making. It frequently engages with local and provincial governments on behalf of students, tackling issues like transit partnerships, housing and student health. By participating in MSU initiatives, you amplify your voice even further.
Ignoring local government won’t make its impact on your life disappear.
Ignoring local government won’t make its impact on your life disappear. On the contrary, it allows others, often those who don’t prioritize student needs, to shape the policies that govern your day-to-day experience. Caring about local politics means taking control of your environment, advocating for change and ensuring that student concerns are part of the conversation.
The choice is clear. You can either watch from the side-lines or step up and help drive the changes you want to see.
Navigating the blurred line between politics and peers, and why it’s important to know where you stand
PHOTO C/O: Alex Motoc, Unsplash
Friends and social media can shape your political orientation and ideologies. From a tweet shared by your favourite celebrity to a comment made by a close friend, several studies show that you may begin to question, and possibly even alter, your political stances in agreement with those around you.
The power of social influence is not a new revelation. For decades, psychologists have noted the ability of social groups to modify and impact individual behaviours and opinions. This phenomenon occurs as a means of meeting individual needs of acceptance and belonging through conformity in society.
The power of social influence is not a new revelation. For decades, psychologists have noted the ability of social groups to modify and impact individual behaviours and opinions. This phenomenon occurs as a means of meeting individual needs of acceptance and belonging through conformity in society.
On a smaller scale, the power of social influence can prompt you to follow basic etiquette in public. However, on a much greater scale, the people around you can affect your political views, causing you to take an ill-informed political stance before casting your ballot. As a result, without adequate information, you may end up siding with a political party or candidate that does not truly represent your beliefs and values.
Research is singlehandedly the most valuable strategy to combat and mitigate the power of social influence. Exploring each political candidate and their platform can help you solidify your political views to make a well-informed decision.
While it may not be completely obvious at first glance, there are certainly damaging ramifications of inadequate knowledge when it comes to politics and voting. A lack of political understanding diminishes the value of having democracy and leads to an inaccurate reflection of the public’s true wishes through government policies and action.
While it may not be completely obvious at first glance, there are certainly damaging ramifications of inadequate knowledge when it comes to politics and voting. A lack of political understanding diminishes the value of having democracy and leads to an inaccurate reflection of the public’s true wishes through government policies and action.
Take Paul Fromm as an example of the rash consequences that could result if ballots are cast with such blissful ignorance. Currently running in Hamilton’s nearing municipal election, he is a white supremacist and neo-Nazi that spearheads several organizations with deplorable objectives.
The stark and concerning reality is that there are very few eligibility criteria to run for a municipal election in Ontario. As such, it becomes the sole responsibility of us citizens to support and cautiously grant power to candidates whose visions and values align with our own.
So, whether you are preparing to vote at the next municipal election or an upcoming MSU election, beware of social influence and try to implement necessary measures to make your vote your own. Though the prospect may seem daunting, you are not required to vote for your friend or someone they support at an election. Only your opinions and ideas about a candidate’s qualifications and plans should matter when you check off the circle on your ballot.
It is also important to remember that along with your right to vote in Canada, maintaining the secrecy of your ballot is also a right that no one may infringe. While there is no harm in engaging in healthy political discourse, you should never feel compelled to share your political views with anyone, especially if it makes you feel uncomfortable.
As students receiving post-secondary education in a democratic nation, we ought to recognize our privilege and use it to effect positive change in our communities. Staying aware of how our friends and exposure to political views on social media can influence our stances, as well as doing our research, is vital to ensure we are truly making an impact with our votes.
C/O Yoohyun Park
Persons Day commemorates the well-known Persons Case, when women were included in the definition of “persons”
On Oct. 18, Canadians celebrated Persons Day, the annual commemoration of the case of Edwards v. Canada, more commonly known as the Persons Case. This case took place in 1929 and ruled that women should be included in the legal definition of “persons,” making them eligible to sit in the Senate of Canada.
When the British North America Act of 1867 outlined the governmental structure of Canada, the act used the pronoun “he” to refer to a single person, but it used the term “persons” when referring to multiple people. Because of this, the term “persons” was commonly interpreted as being only applicable to men.
The BNA Act used the word “persons” when describing those who were eligible to sit in the Senate, and, due to the common legal interpretation of the word “persons,” this meant that only men were permitted to be involved.
In 1927, Nellie McClung, Henrietta Edwards, Emily Murphy, Irene Parlby and Louise McKinney, known as the Famous Five, challenged the legal definition of “persons,” arguing that women should be included in the definition and should therefore be able to sit in the Senate.
On Oct. 18, 1929, the Famous Five won their case, marking Persons Day in Canadian history.
On Oct. 18, 1929, the Famous Five won their case, marking Persons Day in Canadian history.
At McMaster University, Karen Balcom, a professor in the department of gender and social justice, explained that this day was an important legal milestone for women in Canada. At this point, women had the right to vote federally and provincially everywhere except in Quebec and had the ability to run for office.
“The Persons Day decision was one of the last barriers standing in the way of the participation of white women in the political state in Canada,” said Balcom.
However, although the Persons Case was instrumental for women’s rights, it also did not address the ongoing exclusion of women of colour from the political sphere.
However, although the Persons Case was instrumental for women’s rights, it also did not address the ongoing exclusion of women of colour from the political sphere.
Balcom cited numerous examples of race-based disenfranchisement in Canada in place at the time of the Persons Case victory. Saskatchewan didn’t allow Chinese people to vote, and Japanese people who had been expelled from BC were disallowed from voting federally in 1944. These and other restrictions on Asian-Canadian political rights were not lifted until 1948. Indigenous people were required to renounce their Indigenous status in order to vote, which remained the case until 1960.
“It’s, in some ways, a culmination of a first wave feminism battle for women’s political rights, for all that is important and for all that is tremendously flawed and limited. It’s really important that we can [recognize that] this was an important legal standard and eventually came to apply to many intersectional kinds of women, but it’s not the case that all of a sudden in October 1929 Canadian women at large had equal access to the political system. They did not,” said Balcom.
“It’s really important that we can [recognize that] this was an important legal standard and eventually came to apply to many intersectional kinds of women, but it’s not the case that all of a sudden in October 1929 Canadian women at large had equal access to the political system. They did not.”
Karen Balcom, Gender and social justice professor
Balcom highlighted that, even in 2021, not all Canadians have equal access to the political system. Balcom cited health and ability status, status as housed or unhoused and documentation status in the country as barriers to the voting rights of Canadians in the present.
“Every social movement — [whether] it’s feminism [or] any other social movement — has to be continually interrogating itself and continually coming to terms with pasts that are exclusionary,” said Balcom.
Balcom highlighted that, in gender and social justice research at McMaster, this continued consideration of the accomplishments and exclusions of social movements is key.
“I know of many, many people who are devoted to this process of thinking about an intersectional analysis of power, inclusion and exclusion,” Balcom said.
C/O Sum_of_Marc/Flickr
Adam van Koeverden: A McMaster alumnus, Olympic gold-medalist and MP
Adam van Koeverden is Milton’s current member of Parliament and has been since 2019, but he had not always planned to go into politics. In 2007, van Koeverden graduated as valedictorian from McMaster University with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology all while balancing an athletic career as Canada’s most successful kayak paddler.
During van Koeverden’s pre-teen life, he never would have considered himself an athlete.
“I wasn’t a very good athlete growing up; I was pretty bad at most of the early-indicator sports. . . I ran cross-country, track and field, downhill skiing and snowboarding, stuff like that. I liked riding my bike, but I wasn’t really into the games that most young boys would identify themselves as athletes by doing,” explained van Koeverden.
When he was 13, things would begin to change, as he joined the local canoe club in Oakville, Ontario. For van Koeverden, kayaking started as a way for him to stay busy after school and get his exercise. However, it quickly became his connection to his local community and a value that has remained with him ever since.
“When I went down to the canoe club, I found something new that nobody else did. I wanted to be the best at something and nobody else that I knew did kayaking. So on the first day, I was already the best kayaker I knew, which was novel. I stuck with it because it was exciting and different and I was up for the challenge,” said van Koeverden.
It was not until van Koeverden had been kayaking for a few years that he became interested in pursuing the sport competitively at a high level. He began racing competitively both in and out of Ontario, as well as nationally and internationally.
In 2004, van Koeverden qualified for the first time for the Summer Olympic Games in Athens and acted as the flag bearer at the closing ceremonies in addition to achieving gold in the K-1 500 metre race. He continued to race in the next three Summer Olympics, ending his Olympic career with four Olympic and eight world championship medals.
Despite not competing for McMaster’s varsity teams, he was still continuously supported by his peers, faculty and professors.
“I made it pretty clear to a bunch of my professors that I had big goals and I needed their support in order to achieve them. Professors like Maureen MacDonald, [Stuart] Phillips and Martin Gibala and many, many others, [including] Digby Sale, were there for me [and stood up for me] when I needed a little bit of help. [Joanne] Smith [did] as well — she was an administrator within the department,” said van Koeverden.
While he had plenty of support, van Koeverden stressed the importance of continuous learning.
“You need to become sort of a student of your sport, like a student of your craft a little bit, if you want to be successful. And I think what that means is different for everybody, but you can’t rely solely on coaches and administrators and other people to figure out how to get better. You’ve got to figure that out for yourself,”
Adam Van Koeverden
Van Koeverden is no longer paddling competitively, but he continues to make splashes as Milton’s MP. He advocates for youth and seniors alike, promoting active living while working towards an equitable future. Turning to politics was not an easy decision and it stemmed from his hope to remain an active part of Team Canada.
“I landed on politics because I saw a gap, to be honest. I saw a lot of politicians working hard, developing great policies and I didn’t see enough, from my perspective, on the priorities of physical health, and preventative medicine and recreation and sport in Canada,” said van Koeverden.
Having just been re-elected in the most recent election, van Koeverden is excited to continue working as Milton’s voice in Ottawa. For students with diverse interests, a sense of ambition and high hopes for themselves, van Koeverden is surely a great role model and a source of inspiration!
PHOTO C/O Arnaud Jaegers
An overview of the current state of Canada’s political parties
By: Max Cornblum, Contributor
On Sept. 20, 2021, Canadians across the country voted in an early federal election called by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Results of the election formed another minority government under the Liberal party, leaving Canadians to wonder what the future of the government would look like in the face of a new, but almost identical, parliament.
Liberal Party
After winning 159 seats and maintaining their minority government, many now-former members of parliament have lost their pensions. Pensions are awarded after six years of being seated in parliament and this election was called just over two months before some of those pensions would have vested.
Filomena Tassi, Member of Parliament for the Hamilton West, Ancaster and Dundas constituency, stands by the Liberal government’s decision to call a snap election.
Tassi believes that the party’s win proves Canadians agree with what the party has been doing and what they plan to do moving forward.
“The Canadians have accepted the mandate and that they agree with the way that we have navigated through COVID-19 and they say that they agree with our plan moving forward with regards to [future plans in things] such as environment, childcare and housing,” said Tassi.
Tassi added that she doesn’t see the snap election as a waste of money, but rather as a mandate from Canadians to have either voice heard.
“It is important that as we move forward, we are listening to Canadians, and this was the opportunity for Canadians to have their say with respect to what we have invested in,” explained Tassi.
“It is important that as we move forward, we are listening to Canadians, and this was the opportunity for Canadians to have their say with respect to what we have invested in.”
Filomena Tassi, Member of Parliament for Hamilton West, Ancaster & Dundas Constituency
Justin Trudeau currently remains the leader of the party. However, following public outrage regarding Trudeau’s decision to call the snap election, it remains to be seen as to whether the Liberal party is still committed to the Trudeau name.
Conservative Party
As the Conservative Party’s leader, Erin O’Toole’s platform let the voters know that he was pro-2SLGBTQIA+ and pro-abortion. He also supported a federal carbon tax, which was unheard of for a conservative leader.
However, the Conservative Party’s turn towards the centre with a more moderate leader such as O’Toole didn’t make up any ground from the Liberals.
As a result of the snap election, the Conservative Party now holds 119 seats in the House of Commons, a loss of two seats compared to the 2019 election.
“While [the Conservative Party] didn’t get the results we had hoped for, I am proud of our team for holding the Liberals to a minority in this pandemic election,” said O’Toole.
“While [the Conservative Party] didn’t get the results we had hoped for, I am proud of our team for holding the Liberals to a minority in this pandemic election.”
Erin O'Toole, Conservative Party Leader
New Democratic Party
The New Democratic Party was unable to pick up a sizable amount of seats despite their overwhelmingly popular policies. The NDP now holds 25 seats in the house of commons.
Although NDP leader, Jagmeet Singh, has garnered a large amount of popularity through social media platforms such as TikTok, this did not translate to an increase in seats in the House of Commons.
The NDP will reevaluate their leadership and platform to see if they can improve their results with another leader or may decide to continue the course with Jagmeet Singh.
Jagmeet Singh remains the leader of the NDP and has stated that he’s confident he will keep that position.
Bloc Quebecois Party
The Bloc Quebecois won 33 seats, short of their goal of 40 seats. As is the case with other parties, the Bloc Quebecois won a similar number of seats as the 2019 election where they won 32 seats.
Yves-François Blanchet, leader of the party, criticized Trudeau for calling the election.
“We almost feel like saying ‘All of that for this’,” said Blanchet.
“We almost feel like saying ‘All of that for this’.”
Yves-François Blanchet, Leader of the Bloc Quebecois
Green Party
After losing a Member of Parliament to the Liberals because of an internal party dispute about the Israel-Palestine conflict, the Green Party received far fewer votes than in 2019 and won two seats.
Despite climate change being a top priority for voters, the party dedicated to the climate lost ground and credibility with voters.
In her own riding in Toronto Centre, the previous leader of the Green Party, Annamie Paul, was unable to win her seat as well. Even before the election, her standing within the party was already in tatters.
Paul has now resigned and the Green party will begin its search for a new leader.
With only two seats in the House of Commons after this election, the Green Party does not meet the requirement of at least 12 seats to be deemed a recognized party for parliamentary proceedings.
People’s Party
While the People’s Party of Canada was able to increase its share of the popular vote, it remained unable to make any ground and won zero seats.
PPC leader, Maxime Bernier, also lost in his own riding in Beauce.
While the rise of right-wing populism has given great success to parties around the world, it appears that the ideology shared by these parties is not welcomed by enough Canadians to make this party feasible.
After an election that didn’t change the political landscape, every party is left to reflect on what happened in their campaign. Every party must reevaluate its strategies and come prepared for the next election either in 2025 or earlier.
As provincial COVID cases rose rapidly, Ontario imposes a new stay-at-home order
By: Alexandra Podkoscielny, Contributor
Despite many people’s illusioned hopes, hanging up a new calendar did not leave the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Only 12 days into the new year, the province of Ontario proclaimed a second provincial emergency.
In a news conference at Queen’s Park on Jan. 12, Premier Doug Ford promulgated both the state of emergency and a stay-at-home order under section 7.0.1 (1) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.
“The measures [introduced on Jan. 12] are absolutely necessary to save and protect the lives of Ontarians . . . The number of cases and the number of deaths due to COVID-19 are at the highest levels since the start of the pandemic a year ago,” said Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliot.
“The measures [introduced on Jan. 12] are absolutely necessary to save and protect the lives of Ontarians . . . The number of cases and the number of deaths due to COVID-19 are at the highest levels since the start of the pandemic a year ago,” said Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliot.
The number of single-day COVID case increases in Ontario reached a record peak of 4249 on Jan. 8, 2021. “By doing the right thing and staying home, you can stay safe and save lives,” said Ford.
Now, since Jan. 14, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. until at least Feb. 9, 2021, residents of Ontario are required to stay at home. “Remain in their place of residence at all times,” according to the stay-at-home order.
Now, since Jan. 14, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. until at least Feb. 9, 2021, residents of Ontario are required to stay at home.
Residents must stay home with the exception of leaving for purposes that are deemed as essential. These exceptions most notably include groceries, medicine, healthcare services and exercise. Among the many other permitted exceptions outlined by the order, people are also able to leave for essential work. Non-compliance with the order can result in fines.
The order has received some criticism for being unclear.
The order has received some criticism for being unclear. With 29 exceptions, many Ontarians are left puzzled. However, according to Ford, the order is clear.
“There is no confusion here. It’s very simple. Stay. Home. Stay home. That’s it. If you’re questioning, “should I go out?”, you got the answer: stay home,” said Ford.
The guidelines of the stay-at-home order layer onto previous rules and restrictions; however, some have become more stringent. During the state of emergency, non-essential businesses can only operate between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. through contactless curbside pick-up and delivery.
“There is no confusion here. It’s very simple. Stay. Home. Stay home. That’s it. If you’re questioning, “should I go out?”, you got the answer: stay home,” said Ford.
Indoor gatherings between members of different households are now banned, with some exceptions, such as religious rites. Outdoor gatherings cannot exceed a maximum of five people and must comply by social distancing guidelines. Outdoor use of masks is now being advised during instances where social distancing is difficult as well.
Remote learning in elementary and secondary schools is extended until Feb. 10 in schools that were in grey zones prior to the state of emergency, including Hamilton. Post-secondary institutions must continue to carry out their courses online, aside from mandatory in-person components, such as clinical training.
“[Ontario] should have somewhere around or below 1,000 new cases a day,” said Williams.
In a news conference on Jan. 18, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams explained some general requirements for the lockdown to end. “[Ontario] should have somewhere around or below 1,000 new cases a day,” said Williams.
Since the new measures were imposed, the province has had an average of approximately two-and-a-half times this proposed daily target per day and last had around 1,000 new cases per day in early November.
MSU President Giancarlo Da-Ré discusses election “what ifs?”, advice and engagement
The McMaster Students Union Elections department announced a one-week extension of the MSU Presidentials nomination period from Jan. 14 to Jan. 21, 2021. The extension was announced the morning of Jan. 13 via social media — one day before nominations were set to close. The reason for the extension was unclear; however, it was likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The nomination period opened on Dec. 2, 2020 and ended at 5:00 p.m. on Jan. 21, 2021. The extended nomination period would delay the start of the campaigning period. Campaigning was supposed to be from Jan. 24 and end on Feb. 4 at 4:30pm, while the voting period would be from Feb. 2 to Feb. 4 at 4:30pm.
However, MSU Elections announced on Jan. 22 that at the end of the nomination period one nomination had been received. Denver Della-Vedova has been acclaimed MSU President-Elect for the 2021/2022 term.
In an interview with the Silhouette prior to the acclamation, current MSU President Giancarlo Da-Ré discussed his experiences with running for MSU president, offered advice to candidates and shared insight on how the campaign period may play out.
"We want students to know about all of our services, all of our offerings and benefits that they have as a part of the MSU. But also we're not trying to contribute to that stress and that Zoom fatigue,” said Da-Ré.
"We want students to know about all of our services, all of our offerings and benefits that they have as a part of the MSU. But also we're not trying to contribute to that stress and that Zoom fatigue,” said Da-Ré.
As the MSU Elections department operates with a degree of impartiality from the MSU elected officials, including the Board of Directors, they made the decision to extend the nomination period. Da-Ré noted that earlier this year, he discussed electoral engagement with his counterparts at student unions across the country and noted that they shared concerns of lowered engagement due to a virtual learning environment.
“All the options to engage with friends and with MSU services are online. I don't blame students for wanting a break from all that. And so we've naturally had to take that in consideration from the MSU, where obviously we want students to know about all of our services, all of our offerings and benefits that they have as a part of the MSU. But also we're not trying to contribute to that stress and that Zoom fatigue,” said Da-Ré.
However, Da-Ré remained hopeful that even with potentially fewer candidates, the election could see an increase in voter engagement from previous years. When asked what he hoped to see from the candidates, Da-Ré was interested to see how candidates would find new ways to campaign.
“I think it's up to candidates to ensure that they're creating opportunities to engage with voters and for voters to engage with candidates how those voters will want to engage with candidates,” said Da-Ré.
An entirely online MSU presidential election has never happened before — a stark contrast to the typical in-person tabling that many candidates do within the McMaster University Student Centre.
Da-Ré was also curious to see candidate ideas for supporting students through the pandemic. He acknowledged that students have been struggling with the pandemic and online learning, while noting how ideal supports differ among students.
He expected that candidates would discuss student supports as a key issue of the campaign, similar to how the Student Choice Initiative was an issue of importance during his run for office in 2020.
"What is your overall reasoning for running for MSU president?" said Da-Ré.
"What is your overall reasoning for running for MSU president?" said Da-Ré.
Da-Ré reflected on his experience running for MSU president. He noted that it was challenging at first but that he ultimately enjoyed the experience, especially interacting with students and understanding their priorities.
“I had a lot of fun with it, chatting with folks, but you do feel like you are under a microscope for the duration of the campaign period. So it takes a little bit of time to get used to that level of scrutiny and then ideally, if you can kind of get past that a little bit or get used to it, then it starts to be lots of fun,” said Da-Ré.
When asked to offer advice to candidates or those who hoped to run, Da-Ré shared that he sought advice and reflected a lot before his campaign.
“One of the most important things for folks, just when you're thinking about running or when you're building your campaign or your vision, is why you want to run. What is your overall reasoning for running for MSU president? If you can really solidify your vision for campus and your reason for wanting to run for MSU President, ideally have that vision and that reasoning, that “why” is reflected in everything that you’re trying to do,” said Da-Ré.
"That “why” is reflected in everything that you’re trying to do,” said Da-Ré.
Da-Ré also expressed gratitude to the potential candidates for stepping outside of their comfort zones and supporting students.
“Thank you to all these candidates for committing their time during school and for trying to build a better MSU community for students. Students need a little support right now and we're doing what we can do to try and leave the MSU in a better place than we found it. I want to thank the candidates for looking forward to continuing that work and supporting students during some difficult times of tribulation,” said Da-Ré.
Due to a lack of engagement seen during COVID-19, questions surrounding how many students would run for MSU president arose. If no candidates were to come forward by the end of the campaign period, Da-Ré hesitated to speculate but believed that the nomination period would likely be extended; however, the decision would be up to the MSU Elections department.
If only one candidate ran MSU president, according to Da-Ré, the MSU bylaw states that the candidate would be acclaimed MSU President-Elect.
“3.3.1 If the number of valid nomination forms submitted is fewer than or equal to the number of available positions, the CRO shall declare all nominees duly elected by acclamation.”
“3.3.1 If the number of valid nomination forms submitted is fewer than or equal to the number of available positions, the CRO shall declare all nominees duly elected by acclamation.”
On Jan. 22, the MSU Elections Department announced on social media that one presidential candidate application had been received. Denver Della-Vedova has been acclaimed as MSU President-Elect for the 2021/2022 term.
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Da-Ré took to social media to congratulate Della-Vedova. “Very excited to start the transition process and to watch Denver strengthen the undergraduate experience at McMaster,” wrote Da-Ré.
The Silhouette will be posting more MSU presidential elections 2021 coverage in our annual Presidentials issue on Feb. 1, 2021 available on Issuu.
