ADVOCACY
A list of recent UNBSU efforts and initiatives to make life at UNB better for students.
2024-2025 advocacy documents
Here you will find different versions of our advocacy documents from 2024-2025 academic year which were presented ted to members to all levels of governments, university officials, business leaders, relevant stakeholders, and many more.
Our recent successful efforts
UNIVERSAL BUS PASS AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF FREDERICTON
After 20 years of advocacy and effort, the University of New Brunswick Student Union (UNBSU) has successfully passed a bus pass referendum. This marks a significant milestone in the long-running campaign to provide affordable transportation for students. This deal will provide a $180 bus pass valid for a period of 12 months, mandatory for all International Students, and the option for Domestic Students to opt-in.
The UNBSU is now in negotiations with the city to finalize the logistics of the deal that will make bus passes available to students in September 2025, ensuring more accessible and affordable travel options for the Fredericton campus.
CREATION OF NEW STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES
At the start of the 2024–2025 academic year, we introduced $72,000 worth of new student scholarships and bursaries to be awarded over the next five years. These include a housing bursary, an international student scholarship, a new academic scholarship, and many more.
The funding came directly from dividends earned through our investments, allowing us to support these new opportunities without additional student fees. In addition, we doubled the amount awarded through all existing scholarships and bursaries.
This initiative represents a meaningful reinvestment of student money—putting it right back into the hands of students where it belongs.
MLA Mondays with David Coon
Each year we invite MLA David Coon (MLA for Fredericton - Lincoln) to campus to greet the students. This event allows students to connect with their MLA which represents them at the legislative assembly. Students can chat about provincial matters including but not limited to climate policy, healthcare, affordable housing, mental health, equity, diversity, and inclusion and more! MLA David Coon visits once a month.
Just Chat with Jenica
Each year we invite MP Jenica Atwin (MP for Fredericton) to greet the students. This allows students to chat 1 on 1 with the person who represents them at the federal level. Students are able to talk about visa permits, immigration, affordable housing, federal climate policy, and more! MP Jenica Atwin visits once a month.
Advocacy meetings 2024/2025
Throughout the year the UNBSU hosts multiple meeting with stakeholders in the community such as Primer Holt, the Minister of PETL, DM of PETL, MP Jenica Atwin, MLA David Coon, Chamber of Commerce, Minister of Housing David Hickey, UNB Administration, FNFBA, UNB Counselling Services, City Councilor Greg Ericson, and members of the federal government (Ministers, MP’s, Senators, etc) through CASA, and many more relevant stakeholders! The UNBSU advocated to all levels of government through different pillars; healthcare, student affordable housing, skills development, immigration, and student financial aid, and more. Our goal is to approach the current gaps in the system through an intersectional approach. Our meticulous research has consisted of meetings with students, governmental stakeholders, healthcare professionals, the business community, and university administration.
Provincial student loan interest
A couple years ago we achieved, after years of advocacy from the UNBSU, the Government of NB recently announced that they were eliminating the provincial portion of student loan interest; which will result in thousands in savings for many student loan borrowers in the province!
unbsu organizational involvement
The UNBSU is a member of the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA). The Vice-President Policy and Relations and President of the UNBSU attend regular meetings of CASA and their respective sub-committees to represent UNB students.
Canadian alliance of student associations
CASA is a student-run, non-partisan, and not-for-profit organization that represents 30 Student Unions and approximately 400,00 students across Canada. Through policy development and research, awareness campaigns, government relations, and partnerships with stakeholders, the organization advocates on behalf of students to the Federal government. CASA’s goal is to achieve an accessible, affordable, and high-quality post-secondary education system where students enjoy an excellent quality of life.