Mayoral, Council candidates to sign pledge to support the U-Pass

Support of program an important factor come voting day, say students

OTTAWA, Oct. 13 /CNW/ - This morning, students will cheer on mayoral and Council candidates as they sign pledges to support the Universal Bus Pass (U-Pass), if elected. Mayoral candidates Clive Doucet and Cesar Bello, alongside Council candidates Marc Imbeault, Mathieu Fleury and Sriyan Pannawala of Rideau-Vanier Ward, Bob Brocklebank and Domenic Santaguida of Capital Ward, and Nadia Willard of River Ward will all be pledging their support for the U-Pass if elected.

The majority of students benefit from OC Transpo's services. At a time that Ontario students are paying the highest tuition fees in the country, Ottawa students need the financial relief that the U-Pass provides, and are determined to see the program continue. "Pledging to support the U-Pass means pledging to ensure that students have access to affordable public transit," said Dina Skvirsky, Vice-President Student Issues at the Carleton University Students' Association. "The average student saves $200 per year in transit fees over purchasing a semester pass."

"We are elated that so many candidates have already come forward with support for the U-Pass," said Mike Fancie, Advocacy and Communications Coordinator for the Graduate Students' Association of the University of Ottawa. "On October 25, these candidates can count on student support when they visit the polls. By signing the pledge, we know that they have students' needs in mind."

Candidates who have not yet signed the pledge are invited to come forward at any time to add their voice to over 45,000 students throughout Ottawa who already benefit from the U-Pass.

The Student Federation of the University of Ottawa, the Carleton University Students' Association, l'Association étudiante de la Cité collégiale, the Carleton University Graduate Students' Association and the University of Ottawa Graduate Students Association are members of the Canadian Federation of Students, and together represent over 65,000 Ottawa-area university and college students.

For further information: Dina Skvirsky, Vice-President Student Issues, Carleton University Students' Association, t. 613-520-2600 x. 1607, c. 613-796-5784, e. [email protected]; Mike Fancie, Advocacy and Communications Coordinator, University of Ottawa Graduate Students' Association, t. 613-562-5800 x. 3992, c. 613-866-3606, e. [email protected]