Statement from TUNA and the TCSA: Standing in solidarity with Land Defenders against Bill 5

The Trent University Native Association (TUNA) and the Trent Central Student Association (TCSA) stand in solidarity with Indigenous Land and Water Defenders fighting against Bill 5. We stand with, and support, the fight for Indigenous sovereignty regarding the usage of Land. Indigenous people of Turtle Island have protected and lived on these lands for thousands of years. Indigenous Knowledge and environmental stewardship is critical for maintaining the lands and waters of which we reside. The implementation of Bill 5 will destroy what has been protected by Indigenous nations since time immemorial. 

Canada and Ontario, signed and committed to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's (TRC) Calls to Action in 2015. The recent passing of Bill 5 is a direct contradiction to what the TRC calls for, and what the province of Ontario has committed to upholding.  The province has a legal and moral obligation to properly consult with Indigenous peoples, nations, and leaders as per Section 35 of the Constitution Act of 1982 and the TRC Calls to Actions. Furthermore, the Ontario government is in direct violation of Article 26 and Article 29 of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) which was signed by the Canadian government in 2010 . 

We call on Trent University to publicly and promptly make a statement regarding Bill 5 and its impacts on Indigenous students, the local Michi Sagiig community, and Trent students in environmental fields. 

Furthermore, We call on the MPP of Peterborough, Dave Smith, to publicly apologise for voting in favour of Bill 5, and provide his constituents with an explanation as to why he voted in favour of the Bill. Additionally, We call on the municipality of Peterborough/Nogojiwanong to stand in solidarity with Indigenous nations across Canada who will be impacted by Bill 5.

The Trent University Native Association and The Trent University Central Student Association call the Provincial and Federal Government to action in:

1. The immediate rescinding of Bill 5 and Bill C-5.

• Both Bills were passed with little to no input from elected Indigenous leadership, creating policy that allows for the unregulated use of land without prior assessment from Indigenous Land Stewards or Environmental professionals, thus causing an unprecedented amount of control over lands.  

• Moreover, The Federal Government, and the Provincial Government of Ontario, are in direct violation of  Section 35 of the Constitution Act of 1982, making the passing of Bill 5 and Bill C-5 an unlawful action

. 

2. Dave Smith’s, the Member of Provincial Parliament for the Peterborough - Kawartha riding, immediate advocation for the rescinding of Bill 5, in conjunction with:

• An acknowledgement of Ontario’s violation of Articles 26 and 29 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

• A public apology for voting in favour of Bill 5 in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario

3. Emma Harrison, the Member of Parliament in the House of Commons of Canada representing the riding of Peterborough, ON, immediate advocation for the rescinding of Bill C-5, in conjunction with:

• An acknowledgement of Canada’s violation of Articles 26 and 29 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. 

• A public apology for voting in favour of Bill C-5 within the House of Commons of Canada.

4. Maintaining partnerships with Indigenous communities while creating and passing Bills that are in relation to Land usages. Whereas the necessary steps are

• A commitment to upholding Indigenous rights as stated in the United Nations Declaration on the rights of Indigenous people. 

• A commitment to upholding the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action
  

Yours in solidarity, 

Trent University Native Association                           Trent Central Student Association 

Convocation Flags

Trent International displays national flags every year to recognize the countries from which students are graduating. These flags are changed daily to represent the nationality of the day’s convocating students. Regardless of geopolitical relationships, every student deserves to be represented and celebrated at their graduation ceremony.

We encourage all students to be critical of the information they see online and question the validity of the claims made. Misinformation is harmful and easily spread through online forums. Students are encouraged to contact Trent International or the Convocation Office if they have any questions or concerns..

Statement from the TCSA re: Conduct of Mayor Jeff Leal

The Trent Central Student Association is deeply saddened by the actions of Peterborough Mayor Jeff Leal when visiting our campus. On March 19th, 2025, Mayor Jeff Leal attended a Trent business class as a guest lecturer and used the n-word within his speech. Furthermore, he expressed racist sentiments that demeaned both the Black and Mexican communities. The City of Peterborough should hold its mayor to a higher standard. In response, the TCSA has filed a complaint to the Peterborough Integrity Commissioner regarding this incident.

The Trent Central Student Association calls on Trent University to; 

• Provide assurance that Mayor Jeff Leal will not be invited back to campus. 

• Ensure a BIPOC member of Trent staff conducts DEI and Anti-Black racism training for guest speakers.

• Guarantee that future guest lecturers are properly screened and their content is reviewed before being presented to students.

The Trent Central Student Association calls on the City of Peterborough to; 

• Conduct a review from the City of Peterborough's Integrity Commissioner on the conduct of Mayor Jeff Leal in line with the Peterborough City Council Code of Conduct: Conduct Respecting Others;  Section 10, Subsection A & B 

• Mandate all city counsellors and city staff to receive anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion training.

• Review and amend their 2023-2050 Strategic Plan to include anti-racism and race relations as a strategic priority under their Community and Wellbeing pillar. This should include but is not limited to addressing anti-Black racism, anti-Indigenous racism, anti-Asian racism, xenophobia, anti-immigrant sentiments, anti-semitism, and Islamophobia within the Peterborough community. 

The TCSA will be hosting a sit-in at City Hall on Monday, April 28th, 2025, at 5:00pm; we invite Trent students and Peterborough community members to join us. We urge Peterborough residents to consider the values of the people representing them.  Individuals who spread hate do not deserve to hold political power. Anyone wishing to express their dissent can contact the Mayor’s office at (705) 742-7777 ext. 1870 or email cityptbo@peterborough.ca. 

Yours in solidarity, 

The TCSA Executive Team

TCSA Collaborates with Trent International to Create a New Student Bursary

The Trent Central Student Association (TCSA) is happy to announce our collaboration with Trent International (TI) to create a new bursary for international students to obtain photo identification while they reside in Ontario. This bursary aims to aid students who may not have an Ontario driver’s license or health card, and wish to apply for an Ontario Photo Card (OPC).

The TCSA recognizes the importance of an Ontario identification card for international students as it pertains to housing, employment, and access to community services. We have created this fund in partnership with Trent International to assist international students who are in financial need and are facing the barrier of the cost associated with obtaining their Ontario Photo Card.

If you are looking for information regarding obtaining your Ontario Photo Card please use the following website: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-photo-card.

One application may be submitted. This fund is only available to the members of the Trent Central Student Association (TCSA), which includes all full-time and part-time undergraduate students at the Peterborough Campus. Approved Applications will receive a $30 reimbursement towards the cost of their Ontario Photo Card. 

All applications are received by the President, who will present your application to the Finance & Operations Committee for approval. If you have any questions about this bursary or the application process, please email finance@trentcentral.ca

Statement from the TCSA re: proposed budget cuts for the City of Peterborough

The Trent Central Student Association denounces the City of Peterborough's 2025 budget cuts as presented for consideration on November, 4th 2024 to Peterborough City Council. 

These cuts are intended to reduce a proposed increase in homeowners property tax while failing to recognize that homeowners are inherently more privileged than the majority of the Peterborough community who will be most adversely impacted.

This budget will impact downtown Peterborough businesses, artists, creatives and the overall sense of community in the city. Furthermore, these prospective budget cuts will significantly impact those who are low-income, students, renters, un-housed, survivors of sexual violence, newcomers to Canada and minority groups who are the most vulnerable members of our community.

We stand in solidarity with community organizers and call on Peterborough City Council to re-evaluate their financial priorities and re-affirm their commitment to essential community services and organizations.

Yours in solidarity,

Trent Central Student Association (TCSA) Executive and Staff
Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) Local 71

TCSA Launches New Student Funding

The Trent Central Student Association recognizes the high cost of on-campus parking, and the barriers it creates to accessibility and equal access to education. As a result, and after consultation with the TCSA Board of Directors, we have created a new parking bursary for students in financial need who struggle to afford the cost of a campus parking pass. 

This fund is only available to the members of the Trent Central Student Association (TCSA), which includes all full-time and part-time undergraduate students at the Peterborough Campus. The Association will reimburse:

• $150 of the year-long parking pass

• $75 of the semester-long parking pass

• $100 of the 8-month-long School of Education parking pass

Individuals may apply once per year with an annual parking pass, or once per semester with a semester-long parking pass. Those who have purchased the month-long parking pass or the premium parking pass are not eligible. This funding line is available on a first come, first served basis, until the funding line has been exhausted.

More information about this bursary, as well as the Parking Bursary application, can be found here. All applications are received by the TCSA President, who will present your application to the Finance & Operations Committee for approval. If you have any questions about your application or the application process, please email finance@trentcentral.ca.

An Update on Our Punch-A-Lunch Program

Due to an overwhelming response to our Punch-A-Lunch program, we have decided to administer our cards on an appointment basis only. We appreciate feedback about the program administration and look forward to making this change to ensure all students have equal opportunity to participate in our Punch-A-Lunch program.

We are no longer accepting walk-ins. Students are required to book a time slot/appointment to pick up their card. You will need to present your student ID to pick up your card. Click here to book your time slot.

Please note this service is open to undergraduate and graduate students at the Trent University Peterborough campus.

The TCSA's collaboration with Trent Food Services: "Punch a Lunch" meal cards:

This program provides aims to help combat food insecurity for students throughout the academic year, supporting a total of 800 students monthly. This program provides students with $5 off any meal at an on-campus dining hall, including Traill College, and at The Seasoned Spoon. The cards can be redeemed five (5) times for $25 off your meals. Simply hand your card to the cashier and a discount will be applied to your meal.

To make this program widely available to students, Punch-A-Lunch cards are also available at Trent International, FPHL, or your college office. Please check in with these offices to see how they will be distributing their cards.

We appreciate Trent Food Services' financial contribution and support of this program.

Statement from the Association re: Trent University Health & Wellness Director

The Trent Central Student Association (TCSA) would like to express our condemnation of the actions of Trent’s Student Wellness Centre Director, Stewart Engleberg, during and immediately following the Students 4 Palestine Trent Protest on May 14th, 2024. This includes the filming of student demonstrators, and inflammatory comments made via Instagram.

Every student has the right to peacefully demonstrate their political beliefs without fear of retribution from the Trent University administration. They also have the right to access healthcare and other on-campus services without fear of political or religious discrimination. The actions of the current Wellness Centre Director do not reflect these rights. Student activists should not have to fear who has access to their personal information.

The TCSA stands in support of equitable access to healthcare without fear of discrimination or retribution, as well as the right of any student to peacefully protest.

Trent University Administration must condone the actions of faculty and staff who attack the religious and political affiliations of any student in such a public and demeaning manner. The TCSA calls on Trent University Administration to conduct a formal investigation into the Director's actions to assess his ability to effectively continue his role as a student healthcare administrator. Discrimination has no place in healthcare and post-secondary education. 

Yours in Solidarity, 

The Executives of the Trent Central Student Association

Statement Regarding Canada-wide & World-wide Student Protests

The Trent Central Student Association would like to reaffirm its support for student protests across Canada and the world. Student protests have long been crucial to the democratic process, ensuring marginalized voices are supported and uplifted. University institutions have always been a space for open dialogue and exchange of ideas. We encourage students to continue peaceful, non-violent protests, free from hate speech and intimidation. The Association remains hopeful that a ceasefire will be adopted.

The Association further demands that the federal and provincial governments, as well as individual institutions, protect student autonomy and the right to protest. The Association would like to voice our support for the peaceful sit-in that will occur on May 15, 2024, on Trent's campus. We have been in contact with the Students for Justice in Palestine Nogojiwanong/Peterborough to support their event in the most effective way possible.

If students seek to further their knowledge on association stances regarding global conflict, protests and policing, we encourage them to read our recently passed policies regarding Policing & Militarization and Decolonization.

TCSA Presidential Appointment Update

The Trent Central Student Association (TCSA) Presidential Appointment Committee is pleased to announce the appointment of Riya Jaykar as President for the summer term. 

Currently serving as the TCSA's International Students Commissioner, Riya is an active member of the Trent Business Students Association (TBSA) and the President of the Trent International Students Association (TISA). She has extensive student leadership experience and has played a key role in spearheading several initiatives at TISA, such as the Essential Eats Student Bursary and the planning of Cultural Outreach.

We look forward to Riya joining the executive team for the summer term. 

The position of President will be open for the upcoming 2024 fall by-election. For any inquiries regarding TCSA elections or our Board of Directors, please contact boardresource@trentcentral.ca.