At yesterday’s debate, only Tony Guo showed up to make a case for his candidacy for VP Finance and Operations. The position has three candidates currently running. The full debate, moderated by Deputy News Editor Junia Alsinawi, can be watched on The Varsity’s YouTube channel. 

In his opening statement, Guo described his platform as “transparency, socialism, and more transparency.”

The Varsity: What does socialism mean to you in the context of the UTSU?

Tony Guo: Honestly, providing student services in The Commons. We’ve all spent a couple of minutes in The Commons. I feel like there could be a couple of quality-of-life improvements there. Why does the reading library look really sad? I feel like the way that the UTSU presents itself, even within this common space, is very hostile to the student. So, for mini-socialism, I had this thought. 

Technically, this isn’t approved by the Chief Returning Officer, but I was wondering, why couldn’t there be a coffee service? Why can’t I get a free coffee from the UTSU? That is what I mean by socialism. Theoretically, this union’s supposed to provide me with services. I get dental and health insurance. What else? Day to day, I don’t feel like the union’s doing much for me. 

What if I can get the union to feed me? What if I can get a good, cheap meal provided by the student union, that can also double as a training program for students? I think a couple of the other candidates have proposed food diversion programs. That sounds really amazing if the organization can provide that.

TV: The UTSU does have a free food program. What are your opinions on that?

TG: From my understanding of the situation, the reason why the food bank can’t be expanded in its current state is due to a lack of funding, labour, and the actual food itself. I’m privileged enough to not have needed to use the food bank. 

Speaking on my own terms, I think I feel a little bit of shame, even though it’s hard to receive a ‘handout.’ The food bank is, according to my knowledge of it, not very inviting. I would like to change that by simply providing more human-centric services. What do I mean by human-centric services? That is a great question. Let me get back to you on that.

TV: You said the main problems are labour and funding. These two things are intertwined — how do you expect to pay for the changes that you envision for the food bank?

TG: Honestly, I don’t know, considering the budgets aren’t published. The UTSU is very opaque. I don’t know what the operating policies are. I don’t think I can access the operating policies if I wanted to. I don’t know if I can personally audit the books. 

Can any student do that? I know that there’s a handbook, but if you look at the website itself, it’s not up to date. The meeting minutes don’t point towards the meeting minutes, and it’s all in a Dropbox folder that you can’t download. 

So, as a person who’s been trying to run for this position, gathering the information on what the UTSU actually does, what programs do they already provide? How much funding per program? Who are they associated with? All this information, I personally wasn’t able to find. I wonder if any of the other candidates were. I don’t know how I’d fund that. 

According to the financial statements, we own a property on Lippincott Street. We’re paying a mortgage on that property. Could anyone tell me what that property is used for? 

TV: So, financial transparency is a big thing for you. What is your plan regarding that? 

TG: Honestly, just publish it. I’m sort of a techie guy. I’m used to open source governance where, if there’s a policy that applies to someone or applies to me, it should be public. Everything should be public. It should be open source. I should be able to audit it. I should be able to review it. Too long, didn’t read — just publish it. 

TV: With Bill 33 passing, how do you plan around the financial uncertainties of the union for this upcoming year? 

TG: I would like to not do this. I will have to double-check how much is actually in the reserves, but off the top of my head, one to two years are left in the reserve, even just covering the health plan. I don’t know, because what are the two options? Reduce your fees or raise your fees, which means either cut your programs or raise your fees. I don’t know what Bill 33 would do until it comes, but yeah, it’s a scary world. 

TV: The UTSU already provides support for students with financial needs. With the OSAP cuts, there will be a lot more students who need this support. How do you ensure that the system can handle it and doesn’t get stressed by the influx?

TG: The UTSU cannot handle it. You’re telling me that with the $8 million budget, I can figure out how to pay for your tuition? I don’t know how that’s possible. Bill 33 is a mess. They’re taking away our education. 

TV: As VP Finance operations, it would be your job to figure it out. What are you thinking in terms of that?

TG: I don’t want to give any empty promises, but again, cutting programs or raising your fees — whichever one seems more appetizing, honestly. 

TV: In terms of the financial aid that the union currently gives to students, do you also expect cuts to that, and don’t you see a recourse for students who need support? 

TG: I really should have printed out those financial statements and brought them with me. Hopefully, I don’t cut it. But honestly, the student aid program is only $200,000, right? The student aid program is not a lot, like less than a million in total distributions. It would not make sense to cut that. Probably sell the property that we own and are doing nothing with? I’d first do that rather than cut services. 

Audience question: What would be some of the first services that you would cut if you needed to?

TG: First things first, I would get rid of that property. I have no idea what it’s doing. I’d get rid of Uber ride sharing. I don’t think we need to give Uber more money, personally. I think that funding could be redirected to transit bursaries. That would be first on the chopping block. If there was any funding that the UTSU could go without or could spare, I still wouldn’t be able to tell you, because those financial statements aren’t clear enough.

This debate was edited for length and clarity.