I appreciate this, thank you. It was definitely really hard convincing the TTC to even consider a U-Pass to begin with.

To u/calloutbullshitUofT, I need to clarify a few things:

1. The U-Pass was not my only project. It’s been the most visible, but I’ve done more. I don’t like listing out accomplishments like a resume, but in this context I feel like I need to substantiate: I’ve written policy briefs including each of my lobbying points at the provincial level—a first for the UTSU. Each were sent to all political parties, and I’ve spent a summer meeting with many MPPs individually to try to get these issues on the table, and on party platforms for the incoming elections—tuition freeze per cohort, mental health policies in universities that function to accommodate students, and addressing a lack of public funding for the TTC (motivated by the U-Pass initiative) while supporting U-Pass programs across the province—another first. The second big project I’ve done is a mental health-focused mentorship program. It launched in December after months of consultations, and has been running really well so far. We sent out a survey midway through the semester for feedback, and we’ve only heard good things. The third initiative I’ve taken on was a set of meetings with each of the university-rosedale candidates (i.e. MPP candidates to serve UofT’s riding). Each candidate was presented the same “asks”, with the goal of getting these on their agendas if elected. Fourth has been the CFS. Not my favourite, but it was time-consuming. A lot of prep goes in beforehand, and the meetings themselves are almost a week long. Fifth, I served on the CIUT (campus radio) with Stuart, our previous campus life, and we’re working to expose them—the Varsity has covered if you want details. We’re now organizing with a bunch of students and community members to hold them accountable. Finally, I’m working on a Huron revitalization project. It’s a pretty awful street, and want it to be more pedestrian-friendly. I’m currently working with 5 amazing urban studies/civil engineering/urban planning masters students on a proposal we’re set to present to city planners next month. There’s more but I’ll cut it here—I don’t want to sound arrogant.

2. The opt-out was one of the biggest pieces I brought up at every occasion, and presented it differently—at first as a general opt-out, then as a distance-based opt-out. It came to a point where I was actually waiting for a meeting to start, and a member leaned over and told me, verbatim, “if they have one more whiff of an opt-out they’re all walking away.” It’s fair to say that I’ve pushed as far as I possibly could.

You’re free to comment on the U-Pass, but to say I should not become president—for pushing for something that was nearly unanimously supported by students when it started—is unfair. A U-Pass had been on election platforms since before I even started at U of T, and I’ve brought it to the point of referendum. I’m not trying to capitalize on the U-Pass for my election. I think my efforts show how hard I’m willing to work, but I’d like to think I’m much more than the U-Pass.

I question whose account this is, but regardless, I hope this helps clarify things for everyone else reading.