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The nomination period for the 2025 Toronto Metropolitan Student Union (TMSU) general elections opened on Monday at 10 a.m. and will close on Friday at 5 p.m.
As of the publication date, there have been no posts on the TMSU’s official Instagram page, Twitter/X, or LinkedIn accounts notifying followers of the nomination period or the upcoming election. In the past, nomination periods were publicized on social media, most recently for the fall 2023 election and the winter 2023 election.
A screen grab of an Instagram post on the TMSU account publicizing the nomination period for the winter 2023 election.
A screen grab of an Instagram post on the TMSU account publicizing the nomination period for the fall 2023 election.
The TMSU’s by-laws require them to provide notice about the election across their social media platforms. Under “Section Four: Notice Period” in the Elections Procedures Code, by-law 4.2.1 states that “Notice shall be provided on the TMSU’s central social media platforms and, where possible, shared amongst department platforms.”
In an email response to OTR from the current TMSU, they wrote, “The spirit behind this code is that the notice and information about the elections must reach almost all (if not all) union members. The most effective way for us to achieve this goal is via a newsletter, which was sent out promptly. We believe that our campus-wide newsletters form an integral part of our central social platforms. I’m sure the returning officers have a full-fledged social media campaign in the pipeline to help promote these elections. I’m confident that they will be making posts on all of our social media platforms at regular intervals to increase engagement.”
Notifying students of an election through university-wide email and the TMSU website is a separate requirement under by-law 4.1.2. The newsletter referenced in the TMSU’s response was sent out on Jan. 19. It included a 41-word text-only statement under two large visual promos for the TMSU Montreal Reading Week trip and the Latin Pub Night. “TMSU general elections 2025 nominations will start from February 3, 2025. More details will be followed in the next few days! Make sure to check our website. For any questions please reach out to cro@yourtmsu.ca or check our website.”
In their email response to OTR, they also cited by-law 8.2.3.a from the TMSU By-Laws, which state “Notice of the date of the election, nomination period, required training and meetings, duties and responsibilities and the Elections Procedures Code at least fourteen (14) days prior to the start of nomination period. Notice shall be provided via university-wide email and posted on the Corporation’s website.” TMSU wrote, “We made sure to follow this as well. I believe that all our [Election Procedures Code] rules and bylaws regarding elections were followed.”
For this upcoming election there are 20 open positions available on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors. They include: President, Vice President Operations, Vice President Education, Vice President Equity, Vice President Student Life & Events and an International Representative.
There are also two openings each for the following positions: Faculty of Arts Director, Faculty of Ted Rogers School of Management Director, Faculty of Science Director, Faculty of Creative School Director, Faculty of Community Services Director, Faculty of Engineering & Architecture Science Director and Faculty of Lincoln Alexander School of Law Director.
The TMSU wrote in their response, “With the student engagement being increased this year, we definitely are expecting more candidates to participate than last year.”
Past TMSU election cycles have been marked with controversy, including candidates violating pre-campaigning by-laws. When asked how the TMSU will ensure a fair election cycle, they wrote, “To ensure that the elections are fair the TMSU will make sure the candidates are fully aware of the elections guidelines, rules and procedure code they are required to follow. They’ll go through extensive training about the TMSU and the elections process which will help ensure the candidates are aware of all the rules they are required to follow. The TMSU and the [Chief Returning Office] works with our legal counsel to strictly follow the bylaws the organization has which we’re required to follow.”
After the nomination period closes, the TMSU will host two days of mandatory board training sessions on Feb. 13 and 14. All nominees must attend the full duration of at least one session in order to qualify as a candidate. The campaign period also begins on Feb. 14 at 10 a.m.
The voting period will open on Feb. 24 and closes on Feb. 26. Details on how to vote have not been made public yet.
Reporter, On The Record, Winter 2025.
