THE POLTHE ITICAL AND Partisan WORLD OF THE U OF O!
Many people on campus are unaware of the University of Ottawa politics. Due to its size and proximity to Parliament Hill, the University of Ottawa is home to some of the largest university political clubs in the country.
Today we hear from the University of Ottawa’s Young Liberals, Conservatives, New Democratic Party (NDP), and Greens all about the importance of campus political clubs and why you should consider joining one A.
Keith de Silvia-Legault, opinion editor for The Fulcrum
The Young Liberals of the University of Ottawa
In September 2021, I entered a new school year after completing two semesters dominated by pandemic-related closures. I had very few friends and hadn’t fully experienced what campus life had to offer.
The best decision I made was joining the University of Ottawa Young Liberals (UOYL). They welcomed me with open arms and I was immediately immersed in a community of young people who shared the same values and interests as mine.
I was fortunate to participate during the excitement of the 2021 federal election. I found myself traveling across the city helping candidates and engaging with community members from very rural, very urban and of everything else.
During those hours of driving, knocking on doors, and socializing, I became extremely close to UOYL, a wonderful group of people at our school. It’s now been two years since I joined the group and my life has changed considerably.
My French has improved considerably. My cold calling skills are impeccable. I have met many of Canada’s brightest, most honest and hardest-working political leaders. I landed a very interesting and impactful position as a political advisor.
I would like to think that I have helped create positive change in my community. But most notably, I have become part of a network of people across campus and across the country who are embarking on myriad journeys to make this country a better place. That’s what joining a political club did for me. Imagine what this could do for you?
Ty Bradley, president of the University of Ottawa Young Liberals
The Young Conservatives of the University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa Conservatives are one of the largest political clubs at the University of Ottawa.
We are affiliated with the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) and the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario (PCPO). Our affiliation gives us the unique opportunity to work closely with both parties on things like events and networking opportunities that we are able to pass on to our members.
The University of Ottawa Conservative Club is dedicated to promoting conservative values, such as lower taxes and freedom of expression on campus.
Our leadership team and members are passionate individuals who foster debate with many other students and organizations on campus to create healthy dialogue.
Our leadership team is a diverse group with many different passions and perspectives. This helps us attract any student on campus who would be interested in learning more about the conservative movement.
We are also committed to working with a variety of other uOttawa clubs that represent a wide range of passions and cultures.
Jordan Angus, vice-president of social affairs for the University of Ottawa Conservatives
The University of Ottawa NDP
For new first-year students at the University of Ottawa, 101 Week is an intense time of new friends, new subjects and new environments. For on-campus clubs, this is the time when they recruit the vast majority of their new members and when events have the most visibility among students.
101 Week is also the time when campus politicians can fully see the apathy of our generation. “What difference could I make?” » is the response I receive most when encouraging my peers to get involved.
Too often, people assume that individuals cannot make real changes on their own; that political engagement is a fruitless endeavor in the face of large-scale problems like climate change or the housing crisis. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Last year, I saw young people fighting against rising tuition fees, rallying for climate action, and mobilizing – successfully – against anti-transgender protesters. Many of these students were not subject matter experts, nor veterans of community organizing, and yet they managed to achieve this together.
In my own life, the people I do my activist work with are my friends and my community. We break bread, celebrate each other’s accomplishments, and motivate each other to continue our work.
The University of Ottawa has many politically engaged clubs, both partisan and non-partisan, providing opportunities for students to get involved on and off campus. These clubs are important spaces to meet friends and make positive change.
Apathy is easy, but community and hope are much more fun.
Ethan Smith-Johnson, co-chair of the University of Ottawa NDP
The University of Ottawa Greens
When deciding what to volunteer for as I began my studies, I wanted to get involved in something that overlapped with my interests: politics and environmentalism. I volunteered with the Ottawa-Vanier Greens and quickly found myself involved with the University of Ottawa Greens as they came back to life after a hiatus.
The University of Ottawa Greens are a hub of student-led change! Although we are associated with both the Green Party of Canada and the Green Party of Ontario, we cherish our unique identity. I was attracted to the green mission to create a sustainable, affordable and accessible future for education.
As a member, you can explore opportunities through activism, volunteering, and participating in initiatives that can enhance your political and/or advocacy career. I have learned so much over the past year with the Green Party and am excited about the future of the party.
Some of our events include socials, walk-ups and clean-ups throughout the year. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment that embraces members from all backgrounds, united under common beliefs and aspirations. I believe that young people are the catalyst for change and we look forward to changing our future for the better.
Jaycob Jacques and Chana Mucher, co-presidents of the University of Ottawa Greens
