On September 30, the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) Legislative Council met briefly to discuss the Motion Regarding Campus Outaouais Representation at the SSMU Legislative Council. As the meeting coincided with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, some Councillors proposed last week that this meeting be cancelled; instead, the meeting began with a moment of silence and ended with a reminder of events being held for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The Motion Regarding Campus Outaouais Representation at the SSMU Legislative Council was first moved last week by Faculty of Medicine Councillor Benson Wan. Outaouais is a region of Western Quebec that includes the city of Gatineau. The Faculty of Medicine and Health Science opened its new campus there in August 2020. Classes are largely conducted in French, so students have little chance to interact with the rest of the McGill community at the downtown campus. Councillor Wan called the difference in language and locale a “unique challenge” for Outaouais students to feel represented in the Legislative Council. The motion, which would amend the constitution to add a seat to the Legislative Council for a representative from the Outaouais campus, was approved unanimously.
During the question period, Science councillor Andres Perez Tiniacos asked why the SSMU DriveSafe and WALKSAFE services were seemingly slashed this semester. VP Student Life Karla Heisele Cubilla clarified that both services are supposed to start operating again in October, and that the delay is due to both an initial lack of volunteers and COVID-19 regulations. Councillor Tiniacos also asked why the SSMU President had been absent for two Legislative Council meetings in a row. VP Internal Sarah Paulin simply affirmed that President Daryanani would return and attend the meetings when he was available.
The Legislative Council will meet over Zoom again on October 14.
