Time is Money
Your time is money, so don’t give it away for free.
Students are expected to work for experience, but experience won’t pay the bills. Unpaid work is unfair and unsustainable. It’s time for change.
Why “Time is Money”?
For too long, work-integrated learning (WIL) has asked students to show up, contribute real labour, and absorb the financial cost themselves. 65% of students are financially unstable. 45% can’t reliably cover food and housing. Calling that a learning opportunity doesn’t make it fair.
IGNITE is working to bring that reality to the people with the power to change it.
What are We Trying to Achieve?
We are advocating for Humber Polytechnic and the University of Guelph-Humber to abandon unpaid internships as part of their curricula.
No Pay, No Partnerships
We’re calling on our institution to stop partnering with companies that don’t pay for student work opportunities.
Nonpayment Shouldn’t be a Requirement
Stop promoting unpaid WIL by removing language about unpaid work in course requirements.
Make Paid Work the Standard
Work with the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to secure legislation requiring institutions and businesses to provide WIL opportunities where mandated for graduation.
Confessions of Unpaid Interns
Read and watch stories from real Humber Polytechnic and University of Guelph-Humber students about their experiences as unpaid interns.
Why It Matters
We’re committed to making compensation the default, and we’re not backing down until we see real change.
24%
The percentage of Humber’s current placements that have mandatory compensation as of 2025.
80%
The number of University of Guelph-Humber students who had to work for free to graduate.
20%
The number of University of Guelph-Humber students who were paid in 2023 and 2024.
Time is Money’s Timelines and Milestones
Lasting change doesn’t happen overnight. Explore the Work Integrated Learning timeline to understand how IGNITE improves student lives.
Winter 2025 – Summer 2025
700+ Humber and University of Guelph-Humber students shared unpaid placement stories, mostly in Social & Community Services and Health & Science.
October 2025
Nearly 5,000 students signed our Time is Money petition, showing students are genuinely concerned and want to see a push for compensated work. Our “Dear Doug Ford” video was released which got the attention of the opposition (NDP) in particular MPP Merit Stiles.
November 2025
At CSA’s Advocacy Summit, we brought student concerns about unpaid placements to Queen’s Park, connected with supportive MPPs, and secured a follow-up meeting with the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.
March 2026
SAs had follow-up meetings with the institution to discuss changes to Humber’s promotion of WIL.
April 2026
Our Advocates have met with Derek Stockley, Associate VO Academic and Jennifer Larson, Director of Academic Strategic Initiatives in early spring. They discussed the programs who have adopted the removal of unpaid language.
FAQs
Compensated opportunities are essential for students to focus on their education without the constant worry about making ends meet.
IGNITE is working hard to ensure every student is fairly compensated for their work.
How can I support Time is Money?
Keep the conversation going. You can support the campaign by putting pressure on Humber and UofGH administration, and by continuing to share our Confessions of Unpaid Interns videos on social media. Please keep sharing your personal WIL stories with IGNITE by reaching out to our Student Advocates. Your voice holds weight!
What is work-integrated learning (WIL)?
Work-integrated learning opportunities are experiential education opportunities that take students out of the classroom and into their industry. These include co-ops, internships and placements.
What qualifies as compensation?
Compensation can include an hourly wage, salary or honorarium.
When Students Come Together, We Can Create Real Change
IGNITES’s success comes down to the engagement of the Humber Polytechnic and the University of Guelph-Humber student body. Check out our current active initiatives and make your voice heard!