UMSU is here to advocate for you!

Advocacy is voicing support for an issue or cause, such as telling the public about the benefits of Open Educational Resources. There are no limits to our advocacy.

Lobbying refers to advocacy efforts intended to influence legislation, such as setting up meetings with MLA’s to discuss a bill that affects post-secondary education.  It is only possible to engage in a limited amount of lobbying.

Recent Projects:

        • Accessibility on Campus
        • Introduction of REES
        • Restoring Winter Term Break
        • Pushing for more mental health supports – expanding coverage
        • International Students’ Health Care

On Dec.1, 2022, the Winnipeg Police Service announced that the homicides of Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, Rebecca Contois and Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe, or Buffalo Woman were connected to the same perpetrator.

Marcedes Myran, Rebecca Contois & Morgan Harris were believed to be killed in May, while Buffalo Woman is believed to be killed in early March 2022. These women were mothers, sisters , friends, loved ones.

Since the announcement of the homicides being connected was made, many groups have called on all levels of government to do something about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls & Two-Spirited people epidemic that is ongoing in Canada.

We are calling on the municipal government to cease operations at both Prairie Green and Brady Landfills, and search immediately for the remains of those who are still missing.

We are calling on the provincial government to urge the City of Winnipeg and the Winnipeg Police to search these sites and, further, for them to urge the federal government to declare a national state of emergency.

We are calling on the federal government of Canada to declare a national emergency surrounding MMIWG2S. Use these letter templates, written in collaboration with the University of Manitoba Indigenous Students’ Association Women’s Council, to send a letter to the politicians listed below.

State of Emergency Letter Provincial and Municipal

State of Emergency Letter Federal

Politicians to send the municipal/provincial letter to:

Mayor Scott Gillingham
Mayor’s Office
510 Main Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3B 1B9

Markus Chambers (City Council St Norbert/Seine River)
510 Main Street
Winnipeg MB
R3B 3M2

Hon. Premier Heather Stefanson
Room 204 Legislative Building
450 Broadway
Winnipeg, MB
R3C 0V8

Hon. Alan Lagimodiere (Manitoba Minister of Reconciliation)
Room 301 Legislative Building
450 Broadway
Winnipeg, MB
R3C 0V8

Hon. Rochelle Squires (Manitoba Minister responsible for the Status of Women)
Room 357 Legislative Building
450 Broadway
Winnipeg, MB
R3C 0V8

Politicians to send the federal letter to:

Hon. Marci Ien (Federal Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Youth)
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6

Hon. Marc Miller (Federal Minister of Indigenous Services)
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6

The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister)
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6