Who We Are
IGNITE is 30,000+ students working together. We’re your official student union at Humber Polytechnic and the University of Guelph-Humber, led by students who get what you’re going through. We fight for what you need, build the spaces where you belong, and make sure your voice shapes your experience.
We’re Your Student Union
Only students truly understand what they need to thrive. That’s why everything we do starts with listening to you.
We’re your advocates, your support system, and your community builders. That means we focus on what matters most day to day: your financial, social, and mental wellbeing.
We are also your voice for change, on campus and beyond. When everyday experiences reveal bigger issues, we work with students and advocate at the institutional and government level to improve policies, strengthen systems, and create new solutions that better reflect student needs.
The result is a student union that reflects its members: a place to belong, a consistent source of support, and a platform for real, lasting change.
Real Support for Real Student Needs
Whether you’re facing a challenge, chasing a goal, or finding your footing, we help you figure out what comes next.
Health + Dental Coverage
The health coverage and support you need for peace of mind.
Your IGNITE Health + Dental Coverage makes sure expenses like dentist appointments, prescriptions, physiotherapy, and more don’t break your budget.
Understand Your Coverage
Manage Your Plan
File A Claim
Financial Wellbeing + Support
The financial tools and support you need to make your education less stressful.
Money stress can be a barrier to student success. IGNITE helps ease the pressure with bursaries, emergency funding, financial literacy programs, and more, so you can stay focused on school.
Tax Clinic
IGNITE Bursary
Equity Scholarships
Advocacy + Initiatives
Bridging the gap between the student community and your institution.
When something’s not working for students, we push for change. IGNITE advances issues from campus to government by building campaigns with provincial student groups, working with decision-makers, and influencing policy so student priorities are heard and acted on, on campus and beyond.
Student Advocates
Advocacy In Action
Services + Community
Connect with your student community through events, social spaces, and more.
Student life is better when you know you belong. IGNITE creates safe, inclusive spaces where you can meet people, build community, and feel welcome, no matter where you’re coming from.
Events
Soupbar
Work at IGNITE
Clubs
EDIB Resources
Making a Difference Through Action and Advocacy
When students speak up, things change. In the past, we fought for fairer campus fees and accessible mental health services, and we pushed for more flexible academic policies. Here’s some of what we’ve accomplished together:
5,155
students took a nap in the Sleep Lounge, keeping them fresher and sharper
4,764
signatures collected in the fight for paid placement, where we helped students push for progress
954
students received essential financial support when they needed it most
Fueling Change Through Your Support
Your IGNITE fees help power essential services, programs, spaces, and advocacy work that students rely on throughout the year. We’re committed to clarity; what’s covered, what’s optional, and where to go if you have questions.
Health + Dental
Student fee: $233.30 per year
Your health plan covers prescription drugs, mental health services, vision care, and more. It’s designed specifically for students who need affordable, comprehensive coverage.
- Insurance Fee Collected: $7,722,230
- Insurance Fee Expenses: $7,722,230
Advocacy + Governance
Student fee: $24.00 per semester
This fee powers your student voice, advocacy, and leadership, ensuring your concerns reach decision-makers and shape real change on campus and beyond.
Total Expenses: $1,558,009
- Advocacy: $257,000
- Organizational Resources: $927,970
- Governance: $154,400
- Data + Digital Transformation: $218,639
Core Operations + Capital
Student fee: $23.26 per semester
This fee keeps IGNITE running, including funding student spaces, staffing and operations, so services and programs can reach you reliably every day.
Total Expenses: $1,836,800
- Maintenance + Improvements: $74,900
- Technology + Consulting: $92,400
- Office + Operating: $167,420
- Organizational Resources: $1,453,750
- Bank Fees, Audit + Legal: $48,330
Student Support + Community
Student fee: $44.00 per semester
This fee supports your well-being and campus life, like funding events, financial aid, mental health resources, and community-building, so you can thrive.
Total Expenses: $2,929,200
- Promotions: $156,000
- Financial + Mental Wellbeing: $855,000
- Social Wellbeing: $600,000
- Organizational Resources: $1,318,200
Driven by Students
Your Board of Directors and Student Advocates don’t just represent you. They are you. Every decision we make, every initiative we launch, starts with students leading the way.
Our Board of Directors sets strategic direction, approves budgets, and holds leadership accountable. Student Advocates bring your concerns directly to the table and fight for changes that matter. Together, they ensure IGNITE stays focused on what students actually need.
And here’s the best part: you can run or apply for these roles. You can shape this organization. You can be part of the reason something changes for the better.
Experienced Professionals, Here to Serve You
Behind every service, event, and advocacy win, there’s a team of dedicated staff at IGNITE working to support you. From our student wellbeing coordinators to our student advocates, every person on our team is here because they believe in improving your experience.
We’re not here to tell you what you need. We’re here to listen, respond, and build the programs and services you ask for. Think of us as your support system. Professionals who work alongside student leaders to turn your ideas into reality.
Got a question? Need help? Our doors are always open.
IGNITE is Accountable to You, the Student
You deserve to know how your student union operates and makes decisions. That’s why we publish impact reports and maintain transparent budgets. We’re governed by students, funded by students, and accountable to students.
Shape Your Student Experience by Getting Involved
We’re here to help Humber Polytechnic and University of Guelph-Humber students connect, belong, and make student life better. If you want to be part of positive change on campus and beyond, become a Student Advocate or explore work opportunities with IGNITE.