Where UCalgary Graduate Voices Met Ottawa Decision Makers

Each year, the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) brings student representatives from across the country to Ottawa to meet with federal decision makers. The goal is to ensure that student needs and priorities are clearly communicated at the national level. This year, the GSA participated in a full and productive Advocacy Week alongside partners from Union étudiante du Québec (UEQ).

A National Platform for Student Issues

Advocacy Week brings together Members of Parliament, Senators, federal departments, and national research and education organizations. This year included 101 scheduled meetings. Delegates raised issues that directly affect students across Canada, including concerns that are particularly relevant to graduate students.

The GSA also held a separate meeting with Corey Hogan, MP for Calgary–Confederation and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. This conversation focused on several areas:

• The importance of financial support for graduate students in strengthening Canadian research and development
• Challenges with study permit and post-graduate work permit processing times
• Upcoming changes to tax filing requirements for student groups

Bringing Graduate Student Priorities Forward

Throughout the week, GSA representatives met with a wide range of federal stakeholders, including:

• NSERC
• The Federation of the Humanities and Social Sciences
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
• The Canadian Bureau for International Education
• U15
• The Canadian Chamber of Commerce
• Multiple Members of Parliament and officials working on housing, labour, and policy portfolios

In addition to these meetings, the delegation met with staff from the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition (Pierre Poilievre). The GSA also connected with Greg McLean, MP for Calgary-Centre, and Leslie Church, MP for Toronto–St. Paul’s, at a CASA reception the two MPs sponsored.

Across all meetings, the GSA emphasized consistent graduate student priorities, including research funding, affordability, immigration pathways for international students, and expanded student housing options. Many offices responded with strong interest, particularly to the suggestions related to research and immigration.

Key Recommendations to the Federal Government

During Advocacy Week, the GSA asked the federal government to consider several policy changes that would directly benefit graduate students:

• Increase the value of the Canada Student Grant and adjust loan limits to reflect current living costs
• Require that a portion of work hours on federally funded infrastructure and housing projects be completed by apprentices
• Index Tri-Council graduate scholarships to the Consumer Price Index
• Invest in new student housing through dedicated federal programs
• Award additional immigration points to applicants with Canadian post-secondary credentials to help retain highly skilled graduates

These recommendations reflect concerns regularly raised by UCalgary graduate students and support both student well-being and Canada’s broader research environment.

Looking Ahead

Following Advocacy Week, the GSA submitted letters to Parliamentary Secretary Hogan to reinforce recommendations related to research funding and international student processing. CASA will also continue its follow-up work as the annual advocacy cycle moves toward the April AGM.

The GSA remains committed to ensuring that graduate student experiences are represented in federal policy discussions. Updates will continue to be shared as progress develops.