The University of Alberta Graduate Students’ Association (GSA), alongside student unions and post-secondary leaders across Alberta, has successfully advocated for key exemptions under the Provincial Priorities Act (PPA)—formerly known as Bill 18—which will take effect on April 1, 2025. The PPA requires Alberta’s public institutions to receive provincial approval before entering agreements with the federal government, raising concerns about its…
Written by Emma Chambers & Hannah Bayne, GSA EDI Committee Members Report Summary & Organization Harm reduction supplies and information are essential health services in Canadian universities. This report serves as a call to action for the University of Alberta and all Canadian universities to implement harm reduction strategies in all campus spaces where alcohol consumption occurs or could occur.…
Edmonton, AB — The Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) at University of Alberta (UofA) expresses concerns over the province’s 2025 Budget and its failure to address the systemic underfunding of post-secondary institutions (PSIs). Despite Alberta’s surplus in 2024, the budget includes no increase to the operating grants for public PSIs, reduces financial aid for students, and redirects public funds toward private,…
An open letter from the students’ associations of your province. Dear Government of Alberta, Today, we twenty-five students’ associations of Alberta urge you to restore operating grant funding for the province’s public and nonprofit post-secondary institutions (PSIs). Since cuts began in 2019, Alberta has dropped from being Canada’s third-most educated province to its sixth, and PSIs that were once a…
The Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) has issued a response to the independent review of the encampment protest that took place on campus in May 2024. In this statement, the GSA addresses the findings of the report, expresses concerns regarding the university administration’s handling of the situation, and outlines recommendations to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The Graduate Students’ Association…
The Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) is excited to announce the launch of the Graduate Course-Based Master’s Community Engagement Award! This award, created in collaboration with the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (FGPS), is designed to recognize and celebrate the outstanding contributions of course-based master’s students at the University of Alberta. It highlights academic achievement, leadership, and dedication to community…
Recently, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced changes to study and work permits that will affect international graduate students and their families. These updates may bring significant challenges, especially regarding post-graduation work permits and spousal work permits. In response, the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) has released an official statement addressing these changes and outlining our concerns for the international…
In observance of World Mental Health Day on October 10, the Graduate Students’ Association is proud to publish our latest report titled “Under Pressure: Mental Health Realities.” This report delves into the mental health challenges faced by graduate students, highlighting both the pressures encountered and the barriers in accessing mental health support. We recognize that mental health is a crucial…
The Graduate Students Association (GSA) at the University of Alberta is calling for immediate action and transparency in response to the distressing events that transpired on campus, involving the Edmonton Police Service’s (EPS) intervention at a student encampment on May 11, 2024. The general membership of GSA has identified significant discrepancies between the university’s official statements and emerging evidence, including…
Dear Graduate Students, The GSA stands in solidarity with our members who are expressing their concerns and voicing their thoughts. We acknowledge the challenging times we are in and the deep impact it has on our community. We are committed to upholding the principles of academic freedom and freedom of expression, which are not just privileges, but fundamental tenets that…
