The University of Toronto Mississauga Students’ Union (UTMSU) advocates for initiatives and runs programs that serve over 14,000 students at UTM.
UTM students elected Joelle Salsa as President for the 2024–2025 academic year on a platform focused on increasing student representation on U of T governance committees, urging the university to adopt an “anti-genocide and anti-occupational” investment strategy, and expanding food options at UTM.
The Varsity sat down with Salsa to reflect on her time as president before president-elect Andrew Park takes office for the 2025–2026 academic year.
The Varsity: Coming into the role, what were your expectations and what limitations did you realize you had once you started the role?
Joelle Salsa: When I was running, I felt like there were going to be limitations because of my own commitments to school, but because of how great the team is, we were able to navigate them very easily.
As for challenges, I’d say we were surprised by how much advocacy happens behind the scenes. For example, with the Credit/No Credit campaign, we had to bring together all five student unions. It’s wonderful that all of us are working together for this huge campaign, which, hopefully, we’ll see grow.
We realized that advocacy requires patience, which was a challenge for us.
TV: Throughout this year, the union focused on pro-Palestine advocacy, including its Divest Now campaign. How has the union navigated challenges from students or the administration at UTM regarding its advocacy?
JS: Most of the challenges happened last year, especially with the doxxing of the UTMSU executives. So I took it upon myself to schedule a meeting with the U of T ombudsperson to discuss what happened — particularly because last year’s team was doxxed at Queen’s Park by Minister Jill Dunlop, and U of T did nothing to protect the students or executives.
We did face a lot of setbacks. We felt there was a strain in our relationship with the administration, and we don’t know if it’s because of what happened last year, but we worked a lot to mend those relationships with the administration.
In terms of students, a lot of them didn’t know about why there was an encampment and why the university invests in genocide. So we created a divestment campaign to educate students on how it affects students and how it affects their tuition. We held a lot of protests, with a huge turnout for most of them, so it has been successful.
It took a decade for U of T to divest from South African apartheid. So, it’s like planting a seed for the future — hopefully, future executives will continue working on divestment because it’s not something that can be accomplished in just a year.
[A university spokesperson told The Varsity that claims linking U of T to the Israeli military are baseless.]
TV: One of your goals in 2024 was to expand the range of food options on campus. What has the union done to achieve this?
JS: We collaborated with a company called Tre’dish, a subscription-based app that allows students to order food at lower prices with fresh produce, which is then sent to the UTM Food Centre for pickup. We bought subscriptions and students have a discounted rate on them if they’re interested.
Another initiative was introducing All You Can Eat Buffets, which we’ve held multiple times throughout the year. Each buffet featured different cultural food options.
TV: The UTM Sexual Education Centre is slated to be moved to a smaller location. Has the union been in communication with the centre this year and how has it been involved?
JS: We have communicated with them since the beginning of the year. They were originally supposed to move back in December, but we negotiated to give them more time to figure out their plans. Now, they’re scheduled to move at the end of April, after a motion to keep their space was defeated at a February board meeting.
This has been discussed for years, and the SEC was aware of it. Previous executive teams informed the SEC that they needed to relocate due to inactivity in the space in past years.
There’s barely any space for students — we have over 150 clubs, and many don’t even have space in the Student Centre. So, it ultimately comes down to the utilization of the space.
TV: During the 2025 UTMSU election forum, Rajas Dhamija (InnovateUTM) mentioned that the union had struck a deal with Metrolinx that would give students access to Ontario’s One Fare Program. What does this mean for students? Will this initiative be implemented during your term?
JS: We’re still in the process of signing an agreement between us, the UTM administration, and the City of Mississauga, but I can tell you that there will be a One Fare Program. It’s still pending whether it’ll be in May or the fall, but it’s going to happen.
We also negotiated with MiWay: initially, they planned to raise it by five per cent, with the Consumer Price Index, but we were able to get them to reduce the increase to three per cent.
The platform will also transition to e-voucher, instead of e-ticket, starting May. So, you can go on your digital wallet and scan your PRESTO card.
TV: What are your plans for the future?
JS: Many of the executives are exploring advocacy and want to continue in student-organizing spaces. I’m the constituency commissioner at the Canadian Federation of Students Ontario. I’m not graduating. I’m going to be here for another year, so I’m there to support the incoming executive team with any challenges they face. I would love to continue advocacy.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
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