Amidst record-high inflation, excessive tuition fees, and the growing challenge of food insecurity, we, the student leaders of Carleton University, stand firmly with students facing these challenges. We acknowledge the hardships Carleton students endure and stand in unwavering solidarity. You’re not alone, and we won’t stand idly by.
Given this growing need for food security, CUSA Council has called a referendum on the Unified Support Centre’s Emergency Essentials Assistance Program during the upcoming by-election. The USC is the only recognized food bank at Carleton University catering to over 25,000 students. The referendum will propose a $2.98 fee levy per full-time undergraduate student, ensuring sustained support.
In the past year, CUSA saw a 300% surge in food hampers distributed to Carleton students through our Unified Support Centre (USC). These hampers, provided by the Emergency Essentials Assistance Program, offer fresh produce, meat, canned goods, and hygiene products, all free of charge. A total of 5,181 hampers were distributed last year.
Food insecurity has hit the USC on two fronts: sourcing supplies and increasing demand. Current supplies come from donations and direct purchases, but rising food costs, escalating demand, and strain on food banks has made the status quo unsustainable. Ontario saw a 43% rise in food bank visits from 2019 to 2022, with 1,462,795 visits across Canada in 2022.
The increased revenue from this levy will enable the USC to meet soaring demand, streamline administration, and better cater to diverse dietary needs.
Student leaders are keenly aware of the severity of food insecurity in our country and are dedicated to delivering practical relief to Carleton students. Together, we can make a difference by voting “Yes” in the referendum on the USC’s Emergency Essentials Assistance Program.
Signed by:
Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA)
Carleton Academic Student Government (CASG)
Rideau River Residence Association (RRRA)
Carleton Student Engineering Society (CSES)
Sprott Business Student Society (SBSS)
BGInS Students’ Society
Carleton United Nations Society
Carleton Political Science Society (CPSS)
Public Affairs & Policy Management Students’ Society (PAPMSS)
Women in Leadership Carleton University
Carleton University Muslim Students’ Association (CUMSA)
UNICEF Carleton
Carleton University Debating Society (CUDS)
Raven’s Racing
Carleton University Marga Yoga Club
Asian Canadians Association of Carleton (ACAC)
Food Science Student Society
Her Campus Carleton
Carleton University Nigerian Students’ Association (CUNSA)
Black Student Alliance CU (BSA)
Carleton University EngiQueers
North American Association of Indian Students
Carleton Communications Society
Carleton University Geography and Environmental Studies Association (CUGESA)
Carleton Chess Club
Caribbean Student Association
Carleton Afghan Students’ Association
Carleton Improv
Carleton University Powerlifting
Carleton Women In Medicine
Humanitarian Organization of Latin American Students (HOLAS)
Carleton Pakistani Students’ Association (PSA)
The Poetics Society Carleton University
Bachelor of Information Technology Society (BITsoc)
African Francophone Student Association
Carleton Lebanese Students Society
Carleton Film Society
Carleton Pre-Medical Society
Carleton University Classics Society
Carleton Mechanical And Aerospace Society
Carleton University New Democrats
Systems and Computer Engineering Society
Bachelor of Social Work Student Society
Carleton Artistic Swimming Team
Carleton University Quiz and Trivia Association
Psychology Society Carleton University
Carleton University Human Rights Society
Carleton International Relations Society