U of T designates National Indigenous Peoples Day as new Presidential Day

Junia Alsinawi, Deputy News Editor

National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21 will be recognized as a U of T Presidential Day starting in 2027. When it falls on a weekday, the university will be closed and it will be a paid holiday for employees, as happens on other Presidential Days. Previously, individual departments, faculties, and campuses at the university regarded the day as a holiday, but no sweeping institutional-wide recognition has been in place until now. 

In the announcement of the change published by the Division of People Strategy, Equity, and Culture, Shannon Simpson, Senior Director of the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, said, “I think it helps to demonstrate that U of T values the Indigenous community that is here, and beyond.”  

University looks for input in search for new Arts and Science Dean

Junia Alsinawi, Deputy News Editor

On Friday, Faculty of Arts & Science (A&S) students, staff, and faculty received an email from the A&S Office of the Dean asking them to fill out a survey for the Advisory Committee about the ideal candidate for the next Dean of the Faculty of A&S. The email noted that all answers to the survey “are held in absolute confidence.”

The survey has five questions, which ask about the ideal qualities for a new Dean and the challenges they might face. The fourth question gives the opportunity to nominate individuals for the role, and notes that “self-nominations are accepted.” 

Since former A&S Dean Melanie Woodin’s appointment as President of the university, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Professor Stephen Wright serves as Interim Dean until June 30, 2026.

Carney’s budget passes in tight confidence vote

Emma Dobrovnik, Assistant News Editor

On November 17, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s federal budget passed in a confidence vote of 170 in favour and 168 against, meaning that Canada won’t be plunged into a snap election over the holidays. 

In order to pass the budget and avoid triggering an election, the Liberals needed two opposition votes or four abstentions. In the end, five Members of Parliament (MPs) — two from the New Democratic Party (NDP) and two Conservatives — abstained, with Green Party leader Elizabeth May voting in support of the budget. 

Although the budget inflates Canada’s deficit and projects $60 billion in spending cuts, Carney argued that strategic spending will boost Canada’s productivity and global competitiveness.

With new COVID-19 variant emerging, mask mandates return to Toronto hospitals  

Hilary Cheung, Lead Copy EditorThe Varsity Newswire

Since November 18, staff, patients, and visitors in the University Health Network (UHN) must wear masks inside hospital facilities in response to the respiratory virus season. This includes the Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, and the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

From October to November, there was a surge in COVID-19 cases. The new variant — scientifically designated XFG, commonly referred to as “Stratus” — has the usual symptoms of COVID, but with a more severe sore throat than prior strains. The primary concern associated with XFG pertains to its potential to evade antibodies and its effectiveness in binding to human cells.