Referendum Questions

Voting will take place from 8 am EST on February 12th, 2025 until 6 pm EST on February 13th, 2025. Results will be announced virtually at 6 pm EST at the GSA’s online Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Waterloo Region students will vote on the following questions:

U-Pass Referendum Question
Do you support the renewal of Grand River Transit’s Universal Transit Pass (U-Pass) Program and the associated increase to the U-Pass fee for unlimited use of GRT buses and ION trains?

Effective September 1, 2025, the U-Pass fee would be assessed at $124.91 per term, with an annual increase of no more than 5% until August 2030.

  • Implementation date: September 1, 2025

  • Applicable members: Waterloo-based (includes Kitchener) full-time students

  • Inflationary costs: Annual increase of no more than 5%

  • Context: Increase to an existing fee

Special exemptions to the U-Pass Program and U-Pass Fee

WLUGSA can choose to administer an application process for special U-Pass Fee exemptions/refunds. If so, students may request an exemption through the Graduate Students’ Association each School Term based on the criteria below:

  • You are a WLU graduate student who retains a valid Canadian National Institute for the Blind (“CNIB”) registration during the School Term.

  • You are a WLU graduate student who pays fees to WLU, but are taking all academic courses at an out- of-region (outside Waterloo Region) University in the School Term that you are charged for the U-Pass.

  • You are a WLU graduate student who holds a valid Accessible Parking Permit issued by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario, and are registered with WLU Parking Services and Office of AccessAbility at the beginning of the School Term.

  • You are a WLU graduate student who pays fees to WLU, but are considered on professional or academic placement outside the Waterloo Region as part of your degree, which is not considered part of co-operative education.

  • You are a WLU graduate student and are registered in a research program, have completed your program’s required coursework, and are not taking courses in the School Term as confirmed in writing by WLU’s Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office.You can only apply for this option once per School Year (September 1 – August 31).

  • You are a WLU graduate student and are registered in a course-based program and are not taking a full course load in the School Term as confirmed in writing by WLU’s Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office. You can only apply for this option once per School Year (September 1 – August 31).

The U-Pass grants unlimited trips for the cost of less than six round trips each month. GRT’s unlimited Adult Monthly Pass Pass Price: $104/month, plus $4 fare card. 

Ridership information posted.

For more information visit the GRT website.

Transit Subsidy Program Referendum Question:

In the event that the U-Pass referendum question fails, do you support the implementation of a $7 per semester fee to create a transit subsidy program for graduate students facing financial barriers to accessing public transit?

This subsidy would provide financial assistance to graduate students who demonstrate financial need, helping them afford the full adult transit fare and ensuring equitable access to transportation services.

Key details for this question include:

  • Implementation date: September 1, 2025

  • Applicable members: All graduate students enrolled at Laurier campuses/sites in the Waterloo Region (full-time or part-time)

  • Inflationary costs: None

  • Context: Provides targeted support if the U-Pass referendum does not pass