The GSA Council motion reads as follows:

Whereas the Put Food in the Budget campaign began in January 2009 in response to the Poverty Reduction Strategy of Premier McGuinty’s government; and

Whereas that poverty reduction strategy did nothing to address the chronic hunger faced every month by thousands of people in Ontario; and

Whereas part of this campaign involves asking the Provincial government for an immediate increase of $100 a month for every adult in Ontario receiving social assistance so that they can afford more healthy food; and

Whereas the GSA recognizes the importance of access to adequate and affordable social services and assistance; and

Whereas as part of this campaign, we are inviting a “celebrity” challenge team to live off a food bank hamper for 3-7 days in late January, and talk to the media about their experience; therefore

Be it resolved that the GSA sign onto the Put Food in the Budget Campaign; and

Be it further resolved that the GSA executive and members of Council be encouraged to participate in the campaign either individually or by encouraging others to do so.

The following motion was supported by GSA Council on January 14th, 2011:

Whereas at the GSA Council meeting of November 20th, 2009 in motion 2009.11.20-01 council voted to endorse ACORN’s (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, Canada) Living Wage Campaign; and

Whereas the primary goal of ACORN is to represent and champion the interests of Canada's low- and moderate-income urban communities on the critical issues of social and economic justice; and

Whereas ACORN will be hosting a fundraising reception on Friday, February 25, 2010 6pm-8:30pm; therefore

Be it resolved that the GSA purchase an individual ticket for $150 to allow for an ACORN member to attend the event.

For more information on ACORN Canada click here, or for information on ACORN Ottawa's Living Wage campaign, click here.

Louis-Philippe Savoie

Président

Fédération étudiante universitaire du Québec

15, Marie-Anne Ouest, 2e étage

Montréal, Québec            

H2W 1B6

Monsieur Savoie,

De la part de la Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) de l’Université Carleton, j’aimerais vous féliciter en deux temps.

Premièrement, nous vous félicitons de votre excellente étude intitulée «Sources et modes de financement des étudiants de premier cycle 2009». L’étude, à l'instar de vos autres études majeures, démontre que les conditions de vie des étudiants sont beaucoup plus difficiles que ne le croient les politiciens et les élites en général.  Souvent, à l'Université Carleton, nous tentons de communiquer ce type de message aux membres de l’administration de notre université; mais, sans des chiffres solides, c’est un défi.  Vos études majeures nous sont utiles.

Deuxièment, nous sommes impressionnés de vos manifestations contre les efforts du gouvernment Charest de hausser les frais de scolarité.  Essayer de hausser les frais parce que les frais moyens à travers le Canada sont encore plus élevés nous semble un raisonnement idiot.  Quand vous manifestez dans les rue de Québec, vous êtes nos héros.

Nous sommes fiers de nos homologues de la FEUQ qui démontrent qu’il est possible de combiner excellente recherche, bonne communication et manifestations populaires.

Cordialement,

Nick Falvo

Vice-President Finance

English translation coming soon.

Many students feel that the Presidential Elections of 2009 were stolen and that following these elections it became clear that once again, tyranny, injustice and oppression had taken over the land. A social movement erupted and students once again played a major role in the fight. Around 100 students are in prison, over 100 have been expelled, a lot have been killed and an unaccounted number have been banned from entering university and dormitory grounds, all because of their political beliefs and their criticism of the government.

On December 10th 2010 GSA Council passed a motion in solidarity, please read below:

Motion: For GSA to express solidarity with the Iranian students in their fight for freedom from political repression.

Be it resolved that the GSA write a letter to the Iranian embassy expressing concern regarding the treatment of students in Iran. 

On November 19th, 2010 GSA Council voted to support the Shannens Dream Campaign. If you are interested in learning more about Shannens Dream, please visit the website www.shannensdream.ca.

The GSA Council motion reads as follows:

Whereas the Graduate Students’ Association and the Canadian Federation of Students believe in inclusive, accessible and affordable education for all; and

Whereas safe, comfortable and modern learning facilities are an essential part of any education; and

Whereas a First Nations child’s education is funded between $2000 to $3000 less than a child in a nearby provincial school; and

Whereas the federal government does not provide funding for libraries, computers, curriculum development and endangered languages; and

Whereas Shannen Koostachin of Attawapiskat First Nation had the goal of building safe, comfortable schools which teach culturally based education for First Nations children and youth; therefore

Be it resolved that the Carleton University Graduate Students’ Association endorse the Shannen’s Dream Campaign of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada; and

BIFRT the GSA make a donation of $150.00 to the Shannen’s Dream campaign as soon as the GSA’s student fees are released by the Carleton University Board of Governors.

The following motion was supported by GSA Council on September 24th 2010:

Whereas the Canada Without Poverty (CWP) Advocacy Network and Pivot Legal Society are organizing a Red Tents Campaign Day of Action on October 19th to support Bill C-304, An Act to ensure secure, adequate, accessible and affordable housing for Canadians; and

Whereas the Graduate Students' Association agrees that housing is a human right and should be affordable, accessible, secure and adequate for all students and Canadians; therefore

Be it resolved that the Graduate Students' Association endorse Bill C-304 and the Red Tents Campaign Day of Action at Parliament Hill on October 19th, 2010.

For more information on the Red Tent Action Campaign, please visit: www.redtents.org.