Spring Updates from TMSU: March 6, 2026

It has been a busy few months, and we are pleased to bring you the latest updates on TMSU’s expanded services, advocacy and the active changes the Union is making to stamp out corruption and increase our transparency and accountability to you – our Student Members. 

Reminder: TMSU’s general election is just around the corner. The Union is working hard to ensure a free and fair vote, especially after the nullified 2025 by-elections of five Executive positions, which saw more than 100 complaints of election violations.

The threat of election interference remains real, and we believe the motives are not just personal financial gain, but to halt TMSU’s external investigation into corruption and financial misconduct. We are thrilled by the work of our independent CRO (Chief Returning Officer), subsequent member discipline and edits to the Elections & Procedure Code (EPC) in preparation for the upcoming election.

That’s why it’s more important than ever to stay informed and engaged with YOUR union!

Scroll to read more about our fight against OSAP cuts, improved student services, and governance updates:

Hands Off! Campaign

This Wednesday, TMSU members joined fellow students and workers at CFS-ON’s Queen’s Park rally. We’ve spent the past couple of weeks organizing students against OSAP cuts, tuition hikes, and the incoming effects of Bill 33: we had a Town Hall meeting in late-Feb to discuss plans for organizing; we built momentum toward the rally with an Art Build; and gathered TMU students to march to Queen’s Park the morning of March 4.

We’re so happy to work with TMAPS and TMGSU on organizing the TMU community! Shoutout to the Student Mobilization Committee and CFS-ON for mobilizing students across Toronto’s campuses, and to TMU student-led group Common Pot for providing soup for our pre-rally attendees.
Our work isn’t over. Until the Ontario government properly addresses the concerns of students and workers against attacks on their education access, we will escalate our efforts to educate, organize and mobilize!

Want to get involved? Reach out to <info@yourtmsu.ca> to get in touch with our organizing team.

Expanding Member Services

2026 Tax Clinic

This April TMSU and TMAPS will be hosting the annual 2-week long TMU Student Associations Tax Clinic for our members. The in-person filing will be available for free for members of TMSU (full-time undergraduate students) or members of TMAPS (part-time undergraduate students). 

Tax Clinic volunteer applications are now closed. Stay tuned at @yourtmsu for info on how to book appointments for tax assistance!

Good Food Centre Hours Extended

The Good Food Centre, TMSU’s food bank, has expanded its hours of operation – GFC is now open every weekday afternoon (detailed hours on the website). Any TMU student facing any level of food insecurity (the inability to obtain food that meets your dietary needs) can use GFC’s services.

We know the need is great – the number of individuals served per week at the GFC has more than doubled since November. Many thanks go to our fantastic new GFC coordinator, hired in November, for expanding these services and helping address food insecurity amongst our members.

If you are one of many students struggling to make ends meet right now please register as a member and stop by GFC so we can help!

Emergency Student Grants

TMSU has continued its Emergency Grants Program for Members facing unexpected financial hardships. Since the application portal reopened in January 2026, the Union has doubled the frequency of review meetings and has already given out $32,000 in emergency grants to Members. 
We know the growing financial hardship facing students, particularly since the announcement of changes to Ontario student loans. 

The application portal for this school year remains open for Members until July 2026.

Increased Campus Groups Funding

In January TMSU’s new policies for campus groups came into effect. 

The Union has increased the threshold for overall funding for all campus groups, which are now eligible for up to a maximum of $8,000 per year across all funding streams. 

The clarity in funding allocations and other changes were designed to create a more equitable and transparent system, and address some of the disparities in the levels of funding between some groups seen in previous years. 

More information about Campus Groups & Course Unions is available on our website.

New Hires

The Union has been busy filling a variety of other staff positions – all of which help us to serve you, our Members. In the past few months we have welcomed on board:

• A new Financial Coordinator, who is helping to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our financial operations, including major upgrades to our internal accounting systems;  
• An Internal Coordinator, who is providing administrative support to the entire TMSU team, as well as overseeing special projects like the annual tax clinic, and serving as a regular friendly face to students at TMSU reception;
• A new Communications Coordinator, to keep Members informed about activities and updates at TMSU.

We are also gearing up to find a new Events Coordinator. Our hiring committee has been formed to help select a new qualified professional to fill this important and highly visible role. 

Governance Updates

TMSU Members showed up in force to our December Semi-Annual General Meeting and passed a number of by-law changes that strengthened Union governance, oversight, and accountability. Thanks to all those who showed up and engaged in support of a democratic, accountable Union! TMSU’s next Annual General Meeting will take place on Thursday April 9 at 6 PM. Stay tuned to our website for details on the agenda, location, etc. Proposed By-Law Amendments are being accepted until 11:59 PM ET on March 10, 2026. Info on how to submit at the AGM link. The Board Members elected in the 2025 fall by-election have started their terms in office.  TMSU is also excited to announce the selection of an inaugural slate of five new External Directors. These are volunteer roles held by professionals from outside the TMU community. The External Directors bring extensive experience in finance, legal affairs, governance, and non-profit management, helping ensure elected student board members and executives have access to expert mentorship and guidance during their time in office. The following five External Directors will be serving staggered terms of 1-3 years:

• Dave Bulmer, President & CEO of AMAPCEO (2-year term)
• Scott D’Cunha, MBA, CEO of Branksome Consulting & Ventures (1-year term)
• Francis Pineda, Community Organizer and Worker, Prevention Link, Ontario Federation of Labour (3-year term)
• Kayla Stephenson, Legal and Mediation Services, Adjudicator/Hearing Officer, City of Toronto Administrative Tribunal (2-year term)
• Audrey Wubbenhorst, MBA, Educator, Consultant, Trustee at Halton School Board (3-year term)