By-Elections

August - October

2023

Notice of By-Elections

Dear members,

I am excited to provide notice that the UOSU Fall By-Elections will take place from Monday, October 9th to Friday, October 13th, 2023. These By-Elections will be held to choose Directors for the Board of Directors, Executives for the Executive Committee, and Senators for the uOttawa Senate.

Qualified members should take note of the following information:

Changes to the Electoral Code
On August 20th, 2023, the UOSU Board of Directors, on the advice of the Elections Committee, voted in favor of approving the newly-rewritten Electoral Code (commonly known as the Elections Code), which takes effect as of the 2023 UOSU Fall By-Elections. It is advised that members wishing to present themselves as candidates read the new Code before submitting their nomination papers.

Changes to the Election Platform
For the 2023 Fall By-Elections, the UOSU will be piloting a new election platform for voting: ElectionBuddy. More information regarding the platform’s functions will be advertised at a later date. 

In-Person Voting
The Elections Committee is committed to fostering an open democratic election, and will be piloting the use of in-person voting booths during the Voting Period for the 2023 Fall By-Elections. More information regarding in-person voting locations and requirements will be advertised at a later date.

Dated this 25th day of August 2023

Brandon Ly (any/tous)
Chair, Elections Committee

Get Involved, Run Today

It’s now time to elect students to fill positions on the UOSU Executive Committee and the UOSU Board of Directors, as well as the University of Ottawa Senate. It is important to keep yourself informed as a voter throughout the by-elections; continue consulting this website as more information becomes available!

Interested in running for a vacant position in the upcoming by-elections? File your candidacy today!

Please view the important dates below.

Send your candidacy forms to the Chief Electoral Officer: ceo@seuo-uosu.com
If you have any general questions, please email to: elections@seuo-uosu.com

Important Documents

Election Results

Operations Commissioner

Fiona Broughton
Yes 85.8%

Equity Commissioner

Joyce Williams
51.7%
Quanah Travis
48.3%

Advocacy Commissioner

Maisy Elspeth
Yes 85.2%

Faculty of Law (Common Law)

  • Gabrielle Muzycha
  • Alexander Hnatovsky

Faculty of Health Science

  • Grace Tongue
  • Daniel Bersynoiw

Faculty of Arts

  • Hannah Avril Wiedrick

Faculty of Engineering

  • Daniel Thorp
  • Justin Brown

Faculty of Science

  • Koko Zahinda
  • Abdur Rehman Khan

Telfer School of Management

  • Abigail Lyons

Faculty of Social Science

  • Matthew Edginton
  • Max Christie
  • Armaan Singh
  • Brandon Ly
  • James Adair
  • Danté Fosterdelmundo
  • Miroslav Onufrak

Referendum Question - Student Life Levy

No
50.2%

Referendum question - Investment Levy

No
72.5%

Referendum Question - Advocacy Levy

No
67.7%

Referendum question - Voter incentive program

No
50.3%

Referendum Question - Indigenous Law Student Governance

Yes
78.9%

Faculty of Engineering

  • Bowen Xue

Faculty of Medicine

  • Jacky Lee

Faculty of Law

  • Natasha Gosselin
  • Brandon Vale

Faculty of Health Science

  • Harneet Cheema

Faculty of Social Science

  • Sofiya Sapeha

Jamie Bell
Yes 83.2%

Notice of Elections:
Monday, January 9, 2023

Nomination Period (Execs):
Monday, January 16, 2023 –
Friday, February 3, 2023  

Nomination Period (Board): 
Monday, January 16, 2023 –
Friday, February 17, 2023

Executive Information Session:
Monday, February 4th, 2023 –
Saturday, February 5th, 2023

Bilingualism Testing:
Monday, February 6th, 2023 –
Saturday, February 18th, 2023

French Language Online Test:
February 7th, 2023 –
February 8th, 2023

French Language Telephone Interviews:
February 9th, 2023 –
February 10th, 2023

English Language Online Test:
TBD (between 6th and 18th)

English Language Telephone Interview:
TBD (between 6th and 18th)

Candidate Information Session(s):
Saturday, February 11th, 2023 –
Sunday, February 12th, 2023

Campaign Period:
Sunday, February 19, 2023 –
Friday, March 3, 2023 

Blackout Period:
Saturday, March 4, 2023

Voting Period:
Sunday, March 5, 2023 –
Thursday, March 9, 2023

Unofficial Results Released:
TBD

Ratification of UOSU Results by the Board of Directors: TBD

Ratification of UOSU Results by the Extraordinary General Assembly:
TBD

Available Positions and Important Dates

The Executive Committee comprises seven (7) Commissioners who manage the day-to-day activities of the UOSU and oversee its operations. This is a paid, full-time position. Commissioners must be part-time students unless they are international students or enrolled in a faculty that does not permit part-time studies.

Term ending April 30, 2024

  • President
  • Operations Commissioner
  • Student Life Commissioner
  • Francophone Affairs Commissioner
  • Communications Commissioner (NEW)

The BoD is a body of elected students who represent their respective faculties in the internal affairs of the UOSU. They are tasked with voting on motions, amending certain parts of the Constitution, holding monthly Board meetings, and overseeing the financials of the Union.

Term ending April 30, 2024

  • Faculty of Social Sciences (1)
  • Faculty of Science (1)
  • Telfer School of Management (2)
  • Faculty of Engineering (2) 
  • Faculty of Arts (2)
  • Faculty of Law — Civil Law (1)
  • Faculty of Education (1)
  • Faculty of Medicine (1)

The Senate is the highest authority on academic matters and is responsible for the sound management of academic issues on campus.

Term ending April 30, 2024

  • Faculty of Science (1)
  • Telfer School of Management (1)
  • Faculty of Arts (1)
  • Faculty of Education (1)

Notice of Election: Friday, August 25th

Nomination Period: Saturday, September 2nd at 12:00 am to Friday, September 22nd at 11:59 pm

Referendum Question Submission Period: Saturday, September 2nd at 12:00 am to Tuesday, September 14th at 11:59pm

Campaign Period: Saturday, September 30th at 12:00 am to Friday, October 13th at 11:59 pm

Voting Period: Monday, October 9th at 12:00 am to Friday, October 13th at 11:59 pm

Ratification of elections results by the Board of Directors: October 21st

Ratification of elections results by the General Assembly: November 11th

Candidates

FionaBroughton

Operations Commissionner

Hi! My name is Fiona Broughton – I’m a fourth year student in Linguistics with a minor in Political Science. I have been involved in student government for most of my time at uOttawa, including serving as the Student Association of the Faculty of Arts’ Vice President of Finance. I believe that having a strong student union is vital to supporting all students’ success, and want to contribute my skills to this effort in the best way I can as your Operations Commissioner.

As Operations Commissioner, I would be in charge of the finances of the union, and the human resources. I want to ensure that the UOSU is a functional and supportive work environment – doing the best for our employees so that we can continue to provide essential services to the student body. I will commit to optimizing our expenditures, considering students’ needs and priorities for where their funds are directed, and of course, ensuring that the budget process is as transparent as possible.

I consider my interests to be quite broad; being an Arts student in a program that is practically a science, hanging on to a vestigial Political Science minor, and for some reason, having a deep, abiding love for finances, numbers, and organization. My happy place is neck-deep in an excel spreadsheet. I hope to put these skills to work as your Operations Commissioner.

QuanahTravis

Equity Commissionner

Quanah Traviss is a 2nd year Linguistics student from Kingston Ontario. His experience in Student government started in August 2020 when he started his term as the Limestone District School Board’s first ever Indigenous Student Trustee, Quanah continued down the path of student representation when he was appointed as UOSU’s first Director of Indigenous Students and was shortly after named Co-president of uOttawa’s Indigenous Student Association. Quanah strongly believes that with his platform as an Indigenous Student leader he should use his voice to stand up for all those on campus who need it, and has chosen to run for the position of Equity Commissioner on the UOSU executive.

JoyceWilliams

Equity Commissionner

Hello Everyone,

I believe that everybody has a right to access all resources at their disposal to enable everybody to succeed regardless of gender, sexuality, race, religious belief, or disability. After all, isn’t that why we students need an Equity Commissioner?

I am Joyce Linda Williams, a second-year international student in international management, committed to ameliorate the services we have as minorities in the uOttawa community. Currently I am the director of communications at the Congolese students’ association.

Improving and promoting equity on campus is my main priority as Equity Commissioner. I will collaborate with the Women’s resources center, RISE center, Pride center, Multi-Faith center, Food bank, and the center for students with disabilities to ensure that students receive the best of these services to help them throughout their uOttawa journey. My goal is to be present as your representative and ensure that all your opinions and complaints on equity are heard and defended.

I hope you will support me in my campaign to make a change. You can find more details on my future plans as Equity Commissioner on my Instagram account. Let’s work together to make a difference!

MaisyElspeth

Advocacy Commissionner

Hello! My name is Maisy Elspeth. I am a student studying biomedical science and philosophy and I am a running to be UOSU’s Advocacy Commissioner for the ’23-24 mandate. I believe strongly that students deserve a seat at the table regarding decisions that affect us, and I hope you put your trust in me for this coming year.I have some initiatives that I am excited to share with you all in the coming days. For advocacy work to be effective, UOSU needs to increase student engagement. I look forward to working with a passionate executive team to increase UOSU’s visibility this year. The Union is still new, and there is still a lot of groundwork to be done to ensure that it can serve students to its full potential.If you would like to learn more about me and my platform, please connect with me on campaign Instagram @maisy.seuo.uosu

Faculty of Education
vacant

Faculty of Law (Civil Law)
vacant

Faculty of Law (Common Law)
Alexander Hnatovsky
Gabrielle Muzychka

Faculty of Medicine
vacant

Faculty of Health Science
Grace Tongue
Bere Wendbenedo
Sydney Foot
Rida Memon
Kate Gililand
Daniel Bersynoiw

Faculty of Arts
Hannah Avril Wiedrick

Faculty of Engineering
Justin Brown
Daniel Thorp

Faculty of Science
Koko Zahinda
Abdur Rehman Khan

Telfer School of Management
Abigail Lyons
vacant

Faculty of Social Science
Matthew Edginton
Danté Fosterdelmundo
Max Christie
Armaan Singh
Miroslav Onufrak
James Adair
Brandon Ly

Faculty of Arts
vacant

Faculty of Engineering
Bowen Xue

Faculty of Law
Brandon Vale
Natasha Gosselin

Faculty of Medicine
Jacky Lee

Faculty of Science
vacant

Faculty of Education
vacant

Faculty of Health Science
Harneet Cheema

Telfer School of Management
vacant

Faculty of Social Science
Sofiya Sapeha

Jamie Bell

Frequently Asked Questions

Curious to know how our elections process will go, what positions are up for election, and what responsibilities fall under each? Check out our answers below! 

The Executive Committee is formed of seven (7) Commissioners who manage the day-to-day activities of the UOSU and oversee its operations. The positions are:

  • President: responsible for leading the organization and all tasks that come with it, such as general human resources, team navigation, and supporting Commissioners in fulfilling their mandates as needed. As the Chair of the Executive Committee, the President is key to holding the Executive Committee accountable and ensuring the committee completes its projects, respects deadlines and ensures the smooth operations of the Union. The President reports to the Executive Committee and concurrently serves as the Chair of the President’s Round Table, as well as the Governance Committee.
  • Operations Commissioner: responsible for directing and overseeing the internal operations of the organization, which includes hiring of personnel, the preparation of the budget for the organization’s services, and financial management. They maintain a working relationship with the UOSU’s Director of Business, and should the organization have any business dealings, they would also oversee them. The Operations Commissioner is Chair of the Finance Committee and Services Committee, and sits on the Clubs Committee.
  • Advocacy Commissioner: responsible for overseeing the advocacy work of the organization, including lobbying and public education campaigns. They are also tasked with maintaining relations with the University of Ottawa, and work closely with the Student Rights Centre (SRC) and relevant personnel on maintaining, where appropriate, relations with governments and external organizations. The Advocacy Commissioner is Chair of the Advocacy Committee, and sits on the Communications and Engagement Committee. 
  • Equity Commissioner: responsible for directing and overseeing the equity-building work of the UOSU, advocating on behalf of marginalized communities, combatting discrimination at the University of Ottawa, and building relations with equity-building organizations active at the University. The Equity Commissioner is Chair of the Equity Committee, and sits on the Services Committee. They work closely with the Pride Centre, RISE, the Feminist Resource Centre, and Peer Help Centre. 
  • Francophone Affairs Commissioner: responsible for directing programs aimed at francophone students, ensuring linguistic accessibility for francophone students across UOSU, advocating on behalf of francophones, promoting La Francophonie on campus, and dealing with any bilingualism-related student complaints. The Francophone Affairs Commissioner is Chair of the Francophone Affairs Committee, and sits on the Clubs Committee and Services Committee. They work closely the Bilingualism Centre and the International House to further their advocacy and mandate goals.
  • Student Life Commissioner: responsible for student clubs and their representation in UOSU, planning of social events (such as 101 Week), fostering the relationship between the UOSU and Recognized Student Governments (Federated Bodies), and ensuring a diversity of events and social activities on the uOttawa campus. The Student Life Commissioner is Chair of the Clubs Committee, and is a non-voting member of the Services Committee. They work closely with the Clubs Administration Service (CAS), the Sustainability Centre, and Foot Patrol.
  • Communications Commissioner: responsible for creating the communications strategy report and working with the communications department, President, Advocacy Commissioner to improve the UOSU’s communications and overall outreach. The Communications Commissioner is Chair of the Communications and Engagement Committee, and will concurrently sit on the Elections Committee until an election period.

The BoD is a body of elected students who represent their respective faculties in the internal affairs of the UOSU. They are tasked with voting on motions, amending certain parts of the Constitution, holding monthly Board meetings, and overseeing the financials of the Union. This is an incredibly important job that doesn’t require as much time as the Commissioner positions, and it is a great opportunity to get involved in the student movement!

In order to run for the position of Commissioner, candidates must fill out the Bilingualism Self-Identification Form. There are different levels of bilingualism requirements for each position, which can be found in the Constitution under Schedule A: Bilingualism Standards. Candidates may be asked to pass a bilingualism test (English and French) as administered by the University of Ottawa’s Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute (OLBI) at the discretion of the Elections Committee. 

As it is a full-time, salaried position within the Union, elected Executive Committee members cannot register for more than six (6) course units, or two (2) courses, per semester in the year of their mandate, meaning that Commissioners must be part-time students; international students may take exceptionally more than two (2) courses per semester in the year of their mandate. This is to ensure that their first priority is the job that they were elected and will be paid to do.

The UOSU’s elections are overseen by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and the Elections Committee. They are responsible for handling complaints by candidates and applying any sanctions if required. Students may appeal sanctions handed down by the Chief Electoral Officer to the Elections Committee, and may further appeal to the Appeals Committee. Please consult the Constitution and the Electoral Code, or email elections@seuo-uosu.com for more information.

All vacant positions on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors (BoD) will be filled by interim positions until the Winter General Election in accordance with the Canada Not-For-Profit Act; the BoD will have the power to appoint interim Executive Committee members and interim Directors to fill these vacancies.

Yes. Vacancies do not hinder the Board’s ability to pass binding motions, and any vacant Executive positions can be filled by an interim member until the Fall By-Elections take place.

The Senate is the highest authority on academic matters and is responsible for the sound management of academic issues on campus. The Senate has the power, subject to the approval of the Board insofar as the expenditure of funds is concerned, to create, maintain, and discontinue faculties, departments, schools and to establish chairs. It enacts by-laws and regulations for the conduct of its affairs.

In general, the Senate controls, regulates, and determines the educational and research policies of the University; determines courses of study and standards for admission to, and continued membership in, the University; and determines the qualifications for degrees and diplomas.

Please consult the Senate’s website for further information.

The Executive Committee is formed of seven (7) Commissioners who manage the day-to-day activities of the UOSU and oversee its operations. The positions are:

  • President: responsible for leading the organization and all tasks that come with it, such as general human resources, team navigation, and supporting Commissioners in fulfilling their mandates as needed. As the Chair of the Executive Committee, the President is key to holding the Executive Committee accountable and ensuring the committee completes its projects, respects deadlines and ensures the smooth operations of the Union. The President reports to the Executive Committee and concurrently serves as the Chair of the President’s Round Table, as well as the Governance Committee.
  • Operations Commissioner: responsible for directing and overseeing the internal operations of the organization, which includes hiring of personnel, the preparation of the budget for the organization’s services, and financial management. They maintain a working relationship with the UOSU’s Director of Business, and should the organization have any business dealings, they would also oversee them. The Operations Commissioner is Chair of the Finance Committee and Services Committee, and sits on the Clubs Committee.
  • Advocacy Commissioner: responsible for overseeing the advocacy work of the organization, including lobbying and public education campaigns. They are also tasked with maintaining relations with the University of Ottawa, and work closely with the Student Rights Centre (SRC) and relevant personnel on maintaining, where appropriate, relations with governments and external organizations. The Advocacy Commissioner is Chair of the Advocacy Committee, and sits on the Communications and Engagement Committee. 
  • Equity Commissioner: responsible for directing and overseeing the equity-building work of the UOSU, advocating on behalf of marginalized communities, combatting discrimination at the University of Ottawa, and building relations with equity-building organizations active at the University. The Equity Commissioner is Chair of the Equity Committee, and sits on the Services Committee. They work closely with the Pride Centre, RISE, the Feminist Resource Centre, and Peer Help Centre. 
  • Francophone Affairs Commissioner: responsible for directing programs aimed at francophone students, ensuring linguistic accessibility for francophone students across UOSU, advocating on behalf of francophones, promoting La Francophonie on campus, and dealing with any bilingualism-related student complaints. The Francophone Affairs Commissioner is Chair of the Francophone Affairs Committee, and sits on the Clubs Committee and Services Committee. They work closely the Bilingualism Centre and the International House to further their advocacy and mandate goals.
  • Student Life Commissioner: responsible for student clubs and their representation in UOSU, planning of social events (such as 101 Week), fostering the relationship between the UOSU and Recognized Student Governments (Federated Bodies), and ensuring a diversity of events and social activities on the uOttawa campus. The Student Life Commissioner is Chair of the Clubs Committee, and is a non-voting member of the Services Committee. They work closely with the Clubs Administration Service (CAS), the Sustainability Centre, and Foot Patrol.
  • Communications Commissioner: responsible for creating the communications strategy report and working with the communications department, President, Advocacy Commissioner to improve the UOSU’s communications and overall outreach. The Communications Commissioner is Chair of the Communications and Engagement Committee, and will concurrently sit on the Elections Committee until an election period.

The BoD is a body of elected students who represent their respective faculties in the internal affairs of the UOSU. They are tasked with voting on motions, amending certain parts of the Constitution, holding monthly Board meetings, and overseeing the financials of the Union. This is an incredibly important job that doesn’t require as much time as the Commissioner positions, and it is a great opportunity to get involved in the student movement!

In order to run for the position of Commissioner, candidates must fill out the Bilingualism Self-Identification Form. There are different levels of bilingualism requirements for each position, which can be found in the Constitution under Schedule A: Bilingualism Standards. Candidates may be asked to pass a bilingualism test (English and French) as administered by the University of Ottawa’s Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute (OLBI) at the discretion of the Elections Committee. 

As it is a full-time, salaried position within the Union, elected Executive Committee members cannot register for more than six (6) course units, or two (2) courses, per semester in the year of their mandate, meaning that Commissioners must be part-time students; international students may take exceptionally more than two (2) courses per semester in the year of their mandate. This is to ensure that their first priority is the job that they were elected and will be paid to do.

The UOSU’s elections are overseen by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and the Elections Committee. They are responsible for handling complaints by candidates and applying any sanctions if required. Students may appeal sanctions handed down by the Chief Electoral Officer to the Elections Committee, and may further appeal to the Appeals Committee. Please consult the Constitution and the Electoral Code, or email elections@seuo-uosu.com for more information.

ll vacant positions on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors (BoD) will be filled by interim positions until the Winter General Election in accordance with the Canada Not-For-Profit Act; the BoD will have the power to appoint interim Executive Committee members and interim Directors to fill these vacancies.

Yes. Vacancies do not hinder the Board’s ability to pass binding motions, and any vacant Executive positions can be filled by an interim member until the Fall By-Elections take place.

The Board of Governors is the most senior corporate body that is responsible for all other aspects of the governance of the University not assigned to the Senate. This includes oversight of the management and control of the University and its property, revenues, expenditures, business, and related affairs.

Specifically, the Board approves the annual budget of the University and monitors is implementation; it establishes and collects fees and charges for tuition and other services that may be offered by the University or that may be approved by the Board on behalf of any organization or group of the University

In addition, the Board appoints the President, the Vice-Presidents and the Secretary General. It also determines the compensation and benefits of principal officers and of both the academic and administrative staff.

Please consult the Board’s website for further information.

The Senate is the highest authority on academic matters and is responsible for the sound management of academic issues on campus. The Senate has the power, subject to the approval of the Board insofar as the expenditure of funds is concerned, to create, maintain, and discontinue faculties, departments, schools and to establish chairs. It enacts by-laws and regulations for the conduct of its affairs.

In general, the Senate controls, regulates, and determines the educational and research policies of the University; determines courses of study and standards for admission to, and continued membership in, the University; and determines the qualifications for degrees and diplomas.

Please consult the Senate’s website for further information.