On November 19, 2025, the Ontario government passed Bill 33. The decision to advance this legislation without meaningful engagement from students, the very people who will be most affected, is disappointing. As your student union, our work is guided by two core values: first, that students lead the way in decision-making through democratic processes; and second, that we provide students with access to supports, resources, and services that enhance their Sheridan Life. Everything from mental health services, food programs, and wellness supports are a direct result of student feedback. SSU has been able to provide students with access to essential resources during some of the most challenging and uncertain times. Currently, we can show up for our students in diverse ways, adapt our offerings based on student feedback, and evolve our services to empower our student community.
The fast-tracked process behind the passing of Bill 33, including the choice not to bring it to committee, prevented many students, institutions, and community partners from sharing their perspectives. This absence of consultation stands in sharp contrast to the principles of transparency and accountability the government has stated this bill is meant to strengthen.
As conversations continue across the province about Bill 33, we know many students are looking for clear information. While the legislation has moved forward quickly, we want to ensure you understand what Bill 33 is, where things currently stand, and how your student leaders are advocating on your behalf.
What Is Bill 33?
Bill 33, the Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025, includes a series of updates impacting the education sector across Ontario. A portion of the bill focuses on student associations and could change how student fees are regulated and collected. These fees fund essential services, programs, and supports on campus. Bill 33 has raised important questions about student autonomy, long-standing democratic processes, and the future of student-driven services.
Where We Currently Stand
Although our provincial government has passed Bill 33, certain proposed regulations about the ancillary fees remain undefined. They could impact how student unions operate and how services are funded. We are continuing to review the implications and are monitoring next steps closely.
What Your Student Leaders Have Done So Far
Since the initial announcement on May 29, 2025, when the Minister of Education first introduced the bill, your student leaders have been actively advocating and seeking to understand the best path forward.
Here are the ways we have advocated for you so far:
Our Student Executive team met with provincial partners and post-secondary advocacy groups to understand the bill’s potential impact.
We attended the Ontario Student Voice’s Policy Conference, where student leaders from across Ontario finalized policy recommendations, built advocacy plans, and discussed the impact of Bill 33 with sector experts.
Our student leaders participated in conversations about student rights, fee structures, and democratic decision-making on campus.
SSU invited both Ontario Student Voices (OSV) and the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) on campus to educate students about how our memberships strengthen our advocacy work on both a provincial and federal level.
Alongside other student unions and adovcacy organizations, the SSU signed a letter addressed to our Premier and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to address the concerns about Bill 33 and the impact to essential campus services.
Our Student Executive Director and Executive of Advocacy attended a press conference at Queen’s Park, to call for review of Section 21.1 of the bill.
These actions are part of our ongoing commitment to keeping student voices at the forefront of this conversation.
What to Look Out For and Next Steps
Over the coming months, here is what you can expect:
Continued monitoring of how the government plans to implement the law.
Further advocacy to protect student decision-making and student-funded services.
Additional clarity on the impact on your student experience, once regulations and timelines are released.
Your Student Executives are currently attending OSV’s Advocacy Week, and were also present at CASA’s Advocacy Week earlier this month. In a commitment to transparency, we will share key takeaways from the conferences and any important details with our community shortly. We remain dedicated to providing clear communication and keeping you informed throughout the entire process.