Paul Bretscher

22 years old; 4th year; Studying Poli. Sci., Economics, and History

Ticket: Progress
Website: www.voteprogress.ca
Past and present involvement at U of T: I’m the current president of the Arts and Science Students’ Union, member of Faculty Council, on the SAC Board of Directors, SAC rep on the University College Literary and Athletic Society and a two term member of University College Council. Over the past year I’ve successfully led the charge to keep Robarts Library open 24 hours, co-founded the SAC Book Exchange (saving students over $40,000) and helped re-negotiate the SAC Health and Dental Plan which increased coverage and saved students $240,000. I’ve also been pro-active in protecting students’ academic and privacy rights. I successfully lobbied to have “turnitin.com” changed to an optional, rather than mandatory requirement; furthermore, I successfully stopped the university from using students’ private personal information for the Parent Fund Campaign. This is just a sample of what I’ve been up to over the past year – go online for more information.
Platform: As your next SAC President, I’m committed to four key promises:

  • 24-hour ROSI Access with Course Enrollment Waiting Lists
  • More TTC Metropass Sales Locations
  • Run a Deficit-Free Orientation and Increase the Clubs Budget by at least 50%
  • All dollars paid by UTM students return to SAC UTM

To demonstrate my commitment, I’ve signed a “Contract with Students.” If I fail to implement these key campaign promises by the end of my term, I will return a portion of my salary back to students.
Of course, there are other issues that I am committed to. I want to fight to retain the tuition fee freeze and oppose the deregulation of professional programs. For me, post-secondary education is an essential component to Canadian society and it is vital that our university remains accessible to everyone. In my opinion, education is the universal equalizer. It is critically important that our student union stand up and fight for a post-secondary education system which is accessible to all, irrespective of socio-economic background. Access to education is a right, not a privilege. As your SAC President, I’ll stand up to defend this universal right while promoting equity, diversity, and acceptance on campus.
Why You?: The short answer is experience. I am the only candidate who has been the President of a central student union on campus, I have a good working relationship with the university’s administration, and I have the skills and knowledge to accomplish the goals my campaign has set. I have committed the last three years to making the student experience better and if students want someone who has a track record of proven success I am the best candidate.
The last book you read that was not assigned for a class: Paris 1919: Six Months that Changed the World, by Margaret MacMillan.
How do you take your coffee?: I like my coffee with a splash of milk, no sugar.

Shehan De Silva

22 years old; 3rd year; Studying Commerce

Ticket: We the Students
Website: www.wethestudents.ca
Past and present involvement at U of T: This year I served as president of the Greek Fraternal Association (GFA) which represents the men’s and women’s fraternities on campus. Through the reforms that I instituted as president, the formerly dysfunctional and unrepresentative organization became a well-organized, highly productive body which has served to raise tens of thousands of dollars for local charities and once again listen to the needs of its members. This tangible experience turning a student group around is indicative of what I will do at SAC, and is more valuable than years spent on a student council unresponsive to the needs of its members. The Old SAC is a council that has only served to widen the gap between itself and the very individuals it is supposed to represent, the students. The Old SAC is out of touch with student needs and this will not stop until there is a change in leadership.
Platform: My team’s goal is simple: save students money and make university more fun. We are going to do this in a number of ways. We are going to deliver a $66 Metropass for full-time students, offer cheaper health plan options so that students can tailor their coverage to fit their budget, establish a U of T pub, and increase club funding. In conjunction with Chris Chadwick, my running mate for VP Operations, we are going to reorganize finances at SAC and finally make it accountable to students. The most important promise I can make to students is that I will reform SAC to finally deal with the issues that actually matter to students.
Why you?: Some of my opponents tout their years of leadership and experience in SAC as a reason to vote for them. To me, this is their main hindrance. The Old SAC has mismanaged student money for too long. They have not been accountable to anyone, and they are not receptive to student needs. I don’t have a history of wasting student money, and I haven’t stood by while student issues are neglected. I have fresh ideas for how to save student’s money, and a team that is dedicated to respecting and listening to students, and honouring the trust they put in us.
The last book you read that was not assigned for a class: My Life, by Bill Clinton
How do you take your coffee?: I don’t drink coffee.

David Lee

21 years old; 3rd year; Studying Political Theory

Ticket: Diversity
website: www.votediversity.com .
Past and Present Involvement at U of T: During my time at university I’ve participated in Model UN, where I played an important role in writing the society’s constitution, and personally oversaw the training of over 150 students for the society. This year I was elected to be the treasurer for the society, where I’ve managed the society’s accounts for an equal number of students in a professional and competent manner. I’ve also been a part of three Outward Bound leadership courses, and have gone to the Dominican Republic to volunteer at an orphanage. All of these things build towards a good understanding about how to work to satisfy a great number of people and handle numerous tasks.
Platform: I think that one major problems with SAC is that it doesn’t properly represent students. I want to change this by imposing a one-year term limitation of all SAC executives, including myself. This will help to ensure that new students, with new ideas, run for SAC, so the organization stays in touch with student needs. I want to eliminate lines for Metropasses, by creating an 8-month plan with the TTC where the pass will be mailed to students’ places of residence. I believe that many SAC events are poorly planned, poorly advertised, or both. It seems that when they’re poorly planned we get events like the Wonderland scandal where SAC lost $55,000 of student money. I plan on holding fewer, better-advertised, better-planned events, so that the money that students pay into SAC doesn’t get wasted. Any money that is saved from doing fewer events will be put towards the clubs’ fund. Finally, CFS: students at this university have a right to choose in a free and democratic election whether we should remain a part of the CFS. Remember, starting next year students will pay about $500,000 to CFS in membership fees.
Why you?: I would say that I’m the best candidate for the job because I understand that good leadership doesn’t come from experience, but from listening to what people have to say. This is important because it lets allows students to feel like their voice is being heard, this helps to make SAC more responsive to student needs. As well, when a crisis arises it is an important skill as it allows both sides to a dispute to feel like their concerns are being heard, thus building trust with the both sides and allowing a compromise to be negotiated more easily.
The last book you read that wasn’t assigned for a class: The Art of War, by Sun Tzu
How do you take your coffee?: Actually I don’t drink coffee at all, I prefer tea or hot chocolate. I take milk in my tea, and as for hot chocolate, you can see how I take it on Thursday and Friday in Sid Smith, where Diversity is going to be giving out free hot chocolate.

Dylan Rae

24 years old; 4th year; Studying History and Poli. Sci.

Ticket: New Deal
Website: www.votenewdeal.com
Past and present involvement at U of T: Currently vice president student life on SAC and was SAC Scarborough representative and deputy commissioner in 2002-2003. In 2003 I was the SAC orientation coordinator (SACSTOCK!) I am a member of a number of campus clubs and groups as well have been active with different athletics and sports clubs!
Platform: I want to bring back an ELECTED clubs representative to SAC which was made appointed this year. I believe that it’s critical we have an accountable and responsive voice on SAC for clubs and not one handed to them. I would also like to bring some reality back to SAC and its services. There is no reason why it must take hours to get a Metropass! SAC spends too much time on issues like ratifying Kyoto rather than with issues we can actually implement or change and I would ensure that only relevant issues are dealt with. I would deliver more funding to clubs and students by cutting back the waste of SAC parties and useless town halls where nobody shows up. I will also look to bringing back Scarborough campus into the SAC family, as the current structure is unbalanced and cannot be sustained.
Why you?: I believe I am the best candidate for the job because I have the most experience and have a proven track record of getting things done. I promised and delivered more funding for clubs and was only one of two execs to speak out against the Wonderland fiasco. Now more than ever SAC needs a strong and responsive president who will produce real change on issues that actually affect the lives of our students. I was a strong voice for all clubs to SAC and look forward to being that voice for all students next year.
The last book you read that was not assigned for a class?: War at the Top of the World, by Eric Margolis
How do you take your coffee?: Two milk, one sweetener

Mark Sutherland

21 years old; 4th year; Studying Biology, Visual Arts, and Zoology

Ticket: no name
Website: http://individual.utoronto.ca/votenoname
Past and present involvement at U of T: Over my four years at U of T, I have served on three Executives, accumulating over seven years of leadership experience. I’ve volunteered with a group called W.A.T.C.H. as an assistant in my 1st year. During my 2nd and 3rd years, I coordinated an inner city tutoring program. This year, as the executive director, I’ve been in charge of overseeing all 7 programmes. For the past two years, I’ve been an exec for the St. Michael’s College Student Union (SMCSU), representing one of the largest and most visible student bodies on campus next to SAC. I’m also on the U of T Drama Coalition, and was one of the coordinators of this year’s U of T Drama Festival, a tri-campus event.
Platform: I am dedicated to enhancing the student experience outside the classroom, not to mention, keeping you at ease while receiving your education. I feel that there are not enough student activities during the day to give all students a chance to participate. I also want a trustworthy council that is accountable to your student fees. We are determined to turn around mismanaged money to create more bursaries and increase club funding. I want greater visibility of SAC’s services to its students. I believe that we need to improve communication between SAC, its colleges, faculties, and campuses.
I want to achieve this by raising functionality of the SAC website and writing a column in campus newspapers.
Why You?: I’ve been able to command the respect of my peers while taking on the responsibility of putting together major events. I’ve had the opportunity to work with many different people, from many backgrounds, and now multi-tasking is one of my specialties. Knowing the capabilities of an executive, I’ve set realistic goals for SAC to achieve over the next year. My previous involvements in student life have enabled me to multi-task and relate to students concerns. I believe this is what you should be looking for in your next SAC President.
The last book you read that was not assigned for a class: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Mark Haddon.
How do you take your coffee?: I actually don’t drink coffee.

James Webster

24 years old; 3rd year; Studying Poli. Sci.

Ticket: Evolution
Website: www.voteEvolution.com
Past and present involvement at U of T: As a life-long resident of Toronto’s East End I live in Scarborough and am an executive member of several community organizations. In my first year at U of T I lobbied on behalf of part-time undergraduate students as a member of APUS. As a representative of Woodsworth on the 2004-2005 SAC Board of Directors, I founded and organized U of T’s first ever Food for Thought food drive which raised over 500 lbs. of food for the student bank and raised awareness about student poverty on campus. In January, I organized the U of T Tsunami Relief Lottery which raised money for the Red Cross reconstruction efforts in South Asia.
Platform:
* Expansion of the SAC Health Plan to include eye-care
* End massive budget deficits, particularly resulting from orientation
* Establish an off-campus housing advocacy program that assists students in many ways who live in off-campus housing
* Create a non-profit student copy centre and laundromat
* Expansion of the U of T student foodbank
* Same day response and removal of hate graffiti
* Time-clocks for SAC Executives
* End free meals for SAC Executives, and give the food to the UofT foodbank
* Work to reduce interest on outstanding tuition balances
* Work to further decrease the cost of the TTC Metropass for students
* Work to introduce a Chestnut Shuttle Bus
* Lobby to continue to the Provincial tuition freeze
* Solar panels for the SAC building
* Expand the campus bikeshare program
* Work to ban corporate postering from campus
* Many other ideas and projects I won’t mention here
Why you?: I don’t want to run SAC according to a rigid political ideology or party doctrine-but believe in actually getting things done for students regardless of what side of the spectrum they are on. SAC has often been tied down by debates and positions on international issues and party politics. Having opinions on these things is important, but it can’t distract SAC from its core mandate of delivering services, like the Metropass and like the health plan to students. Big budget deficits on wacky parties while lineups grow is not the way to go, and as SAC president I will end both.
The last book you read that was not assigned for a class: Silent Spring, by Rachel Carson.
How do you take your coffee?: Double-double-Fair Trade.