UWSA General Election 2023 Results*

March 15th, 2023

Congratulations to all the winners! Here are the unofficial UWSA General Election results*:

UWSA Elections Reform Feedback

December 7th, 2022

The UWSA Elections have experienced several periods of conflict and underwent significant reforms in 2020 and 2021; however, because of the COVID-19 pandemic and campus restrictions, UWSA By-Election 2022 is the first major on-campus election where we have been able to assess the new regulations in full force. While many election reforms worked well and created a positive learning environment for electoral candidates, some rules proved ineffective, unenforceable, or problematic. 

The reforms in this proposal are designed to support the continued growth of the UWSA’s democratic process. This proposal is informed by the observations of staff throughout the UWSA By-Election 2022 and with respect and observance to the legacy of UWSA Directors, Executive, election candidates, and general membership who have participated in consultations about the UWSA Elections over the past three years. 

We want to hear UofW students’ feedback on our proposed reforms for the UWSA Elections. Please let us know before Wednesday, January 4, 2023.

UWSA Election Feedback Form Page

UWSA By-Election 2022 Results*

October 26th, 2022

Congratulations to all the winners! Here are the unofficial UWSA By-Election results*:

*Results are unofficial till ratified by the Board of Directors.

UWSA By-Elections 22-23 Voting Period

October 20th, 2022

The voting for the UWSA By-Elections 22-23 is open from Monday, October 24 at 9:00 am and ends on October 26 at 6:00 pm!

To cast your vote online, check your UofW email on Monday morning. You will receive an email with your unique ID, password, and voting link. You can also vote in person at the UofW campus at the following locations:

• Centennial Hall across from the art gallery (Oct 24, 25, and 26 from 9 am – 6 pm)
• Richardson College for the Environment & Science Complex front lobby (Oct 24, 25, and 26 from 9 am – 6 pm)
• Floating station at Buhler Center (Oct 24 and 25 from 9 am – 6 pm)

You can learn more about your candidates and their agendas in the Voter’s Guide. For all information about the By-Elections, visit theuwsa.ca/elections.

UWSA By-Elections 22-23 Candidates

October 17th, 2022

The UWSA 22-23 By-Elections Voting is almost here. These candidates will represent your voice on campus!

Accessibility Director

• Krina Patel

Education Director

—

Environmental Ethics Director

• Soban Faiz
• Farwa Awan

Graduate Students’ Director

• Fathma Mehjabin

2SLGBTQ* Students’ Director

• Brie Villeneuve

PACE Students’ Director

• David Dokun
• Ronil Purani
• Sanchit Shangari
• Karanbir Dhillon
• Nisha Oberoi

Women, Trans & Non-Binary Students’ Director

—

UWSA Regents

• Garv Kochar

UWSA Senator

• Joshua Haney
• Rhythm Gill
• Leah Shore
• Mubarak Owolabi
• Nicholas M. Wasyliw
• Sualeha Sualeha
• Harpreet Singh Punjab
• Raihan Mahmud
• Taran Singh

For all information about By-Elections, visit theuwsa.ca/elections.

UWSA By-Election 22 Nomination Forms Available!

September 26th, 2022

By-Election Nomination Form 2022 – Candidates must submit a completed nomination form to the Chief Elections Commissioner at cec@theuwsa.ca by 6 PM on October 6, 2022, to be eligible to run in the 2022 UWSA By-Elections.

Vacant Positions

• Accessibility Director
• Education Director
• Environmental Ethics Director
• Graduate Students’ Director
• 2SLGBTQ* Students’ Director
• PACE Students’ Director
• Women, Trans & Non-Binary Students’ Director
• UWSA Regents
• UWSA Senator

For any questions, please email, cec@theuwsa.ca. theuwsa.ca/elections

UWSA 2022 By-Election Nomination Period

September 22nd, 2022

The UWSA By-Election begins on September 26!

The By-Election is where students can run for vacant positions that were not filled during the General Election. To run, you will need to fill out a nomination form and submit it to the Chief Elections Commissioner before the end of the nomination period.

Nomination Period:  Monday, September 26 – Thursday, October 6 *Due by 6 PM. 

By-Election Nomination Form 2022 – Candidates must submit a completed nomination form to the CEC at cec@theuwsa.ca by 6 PM on October 6, 2022, to be eligible to run in the 2022 UWSA By-Elections.

All candidates or their scrutineers are encouraged to attend the All Candidates Meeting on Friday, October 7, time and location TBD.

Nomination forms are available in alternate formats for students with accessibility needs. Requests for an alternative nomination form must be submitted in writing to the University of Winnipeg Students’ Association, University of Winnipeg, 0R30-515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2E9 or by email at cec@theuwsa.ca.

Open Positions

• Accessibility Director
• Education Director
• Environmental Ethics Director
• Graduate Students’ Director
• 2SLGBTQ* Students’ Director
• PACE Students’ Director
• Women, Trans & Non-Binary Students’ Director
• UWSA Regents
• UWSA Senators

If you have questions, email the Chief Elections Commissioner at cec@theuwsa.ca.

Report to the membership on structural reforms at the UWSA

March 8th, 2021

This report to the UWSA general membership provides background information on the incidents that occurred in 2020 at the UWSA that highlighted the need to restructure the organization. It includes recommendations made by an external consultancy firm, Catalyst Research and Communications, to facilitate the process and the resulting reforms implemented by the UWSA.

Please click here to download the report: UWSA Reforms Report to the Membership

Please click here to download the UWSA Reforms Graphic

This report is meant to be the beginning of a long process of restructuring the organization to make it truly decolonial and create a safe space for discussion. The implemented reforms will be periodically reviewed by the Board and updated as needed. Please review the report and provide your feedback here: UWSA Reforms Feedback

Notice of Resignation for UWSA VPSA, Melanie William

February 4th, 2021

On January 27, 2021, The UWSA Board of Directors accepted and ratified the resignation of the 2020-2021 UWSA Vice President of Student Affairs, Melanie William. In August 2020, former UWSA President, Jibril Hussein and VPEA, Breanna Belisle had also tendered their resignations to the board.

Over the summer, former executives shared several experiences of harassment and discrimination while at the UWSA, following which the 2020-21 Executive team were placed on administrative leave. During this period, they experienced significant mental harassment and threats on social media from the UWinnipeg community as well.

The UWSA acknowledges the experiences shared by the former executives in their letters and strongly supports the decision to center their mental health. As an organization, we commit to doing more to prioritize students’ well-being and safety over institutional expectations.

We recognize the role UWSA plays in protecting and nurturing the well-being and potential of UWSA members. Oppression or harassment in our communities – online or offline – is never okay and we plan to work towards creating safer and non-violent spaces for discussion.

We recognized that we are working and learning in racist and colonial system, and that we have to be uncomfortable, transparent, and resilient to outroot these realities from our communities. For information on the steps we’re taking to address institutional racism at the UWSA, please refer to our previous post here.

To review Melanie’s letter of resignation, please click here: January 27 BOD Open Session Minutes (Draft)

Responsibility, Decolonization, and Integrity in the UWSA Election Process

January 29th, 2021

Over the past few months, the UWSA has been working to restructure our bylaws and policies to minimize the harm caused by our election process. To guide us through the process and figure out the best path forward, the UWSA Board of Directors have been working with an external consultant at Catalyst Research & Communications.

On October 15, 2020, we released a statement outlining some emerging conclusions, where we acknowledged the need to increase transparency, encourage safe and open discussions, and address racism and oppression. One of the ways that the UWSA committed to doing this is to restructure the elections process to make it safer for candidates and voters.

To ensure that the harm done during the 2020 General Election is not repeated, and work on creating an anti-oppressive election framework, the UWSA Board of Directors voted to postpone the 2021 General Elections from February-March, 2021 to March-April ,2021. This change shifts the nomination period, where candidates can apply to run for a director, senator, or regent position to March 1 – 11 and moves the voting period to March 29-31.

The UWSA has also restructured the role of the Chief Elections Commissioner and created two Elections Campaign Facilitator positions to increase accountability and support the elections better. Interested candidates can apply for both roles through the UWSA website by clicking here.

The UWSA will release some election reform proposals with new campaign rules, director roles, and a safer complaint process in the upcoming weeks.

While these are just the initial changes, creating structural change at the UWSA is a continually evolving and collaborative process. To facilitate this, a student feedback process will be available by February 12.

All UWinnipeg students are welcome to attend the UWSA Board of Directors Meeting on February 10, where the election reform proposal will be presented before final approval on February 24. To register and receive the Zoom meeting link, please email Administrative Assistant, Thomas Hanan, at t.hanan@theuwsa.ca by 4:30 PM using your UWinnipeg webmail address and your Student ID Number.

In solidarity,
The University of Winnipeg Students’ Association