On August 27th, CUSA’s Advocacy Team, in a delegation led by Artur Estrela Da Silva, and Aidan Kallioinen, went to City Hall to meet Somerset Ward City Councillor Ariel Troster.
At the meeting, we introduced our Association and the work CUSA does with student support. In particular, we pointed to the current mental health support we offer through our Service Centres, and the financial and recruiting challenges faced by the university when it comes to Mental Health and Counselling.
We also shared a report from our partners at the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA), which explores the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on student mental health, the likes of which still reverberate into 2024.
Councillor Troster’s office also shared an update on the progress of a recommendation supported by CUSA regarding the development of an Anti-Renoviction By-law, which will come back to City Council for approval in the Fall.
We look forward to working with Councillor Troster’s office further on student mental health & addiction priorities, as well as protections for our student renters here in Ottawa.