Advocacy in Action
When students advocate for issues that matter, things change. Advocacy is how we turn your concerns into action, pushing for better policies and building the student experience you deserve.
Time is Money
You’re expected to work full-time for free as part of your degree. Unpaid co-ops, internships, and placements force you to choose between gaining required experience and paying your bills. That’s not education. It’s exploitation.
Through the “Time is Money” Campaign, IGNITE is demanding that Humber Polytechnic, the University of Guelph-Humber, and the Ontario government guarantee fair compensation for mandatory work-integrated learning.
Initiatives in the News
From food security to mental health support, IGNITE initiatives get noticed. Here are some recent headlines and updates about initiatives we’ve launched to improve campus life for students.
Advocacy Work by the Numbers
When we fight for change together, real things happen. Here’s the tangible impact your student union has made through initiatives that started with students speaking up.
1,095
Humber and UofGH students filed their taxes with ease and without stress with the free IGNITE Tax Clinic.
50,300
students saved money on essential medical expenses by using IGNITE’s health and dental plans.
954
students received $500 in financial relief for basic necessities and expenses, easing stress and allowing them to focus on their education.
FAQs
Explore the answers to the most common advocacy questions we get from students.
How do I suggest a new initiative?
Start by talking to your Student Advocates. They’re here to listen and bring your concerns directly to IGNITE leadership. The best initiatives come straight from students who see something that needs to change. If it matters to you, it matters to us.
How long does it take for an initiative to create change?
It depends on what we’re fighting for. Some changes happen in weeks, like expanding Soupbar hours. Others, like pushing for paid internships or policy reforms, can take months or even years of sustained pressure. But here’s the thing: we don’t give up. We keep pushing until we see results. And the more students who get involved, the faster change happens.
How can I get involved?
You don’t need to be elected or on a committee to make a difference. Sign petitions, share campaigns on social media, attend events, talk to your Student Advocates, or just spread the word. Change doesn’t just happen in boardrooms — it happens when thousands of students collectively say, “this needs to be better, and ‘better’ starts with us!”
What’s the difference between an initiative and a service?
Services are the ongoing programs we provide, like health insurance, Tax Clinic, or the Sleep Lounge. Initiatives are campaigns we launch to create new change or fix broken systems. For example, Soupbar is now a service, but it started as an initiative in response to students’ demand for better food security support. Initiatives push for progress. Services are what we build once we win.
Shape Your Student Experience with IGNITE
Want to connect with other students, work as a team, and develop real-world skills you add to your resume with pride? Working at IGNITE is your opportunity to level up with working experience that transcends the classroom.