WHY IS THE UNIVERSITY HOLDING A REFERENDUM?
Hart House is currently undertaking the Hart House Building Renewal Project, which will implement critical building infrastructure upgrades. Upgrades will include HVAC systems, roof rehabilitation, accessibility, mechanical and electrical systems. The Hart House Warden has reported that over 50% of the building’s critical infrastructure is now past its intended lifespan.
Although funds have been approved for certain phases of the project, the Hart House Warden has determined that those funds will not be sufficient, and has proposed that a new student levy (the Hart House Capital Fee Levy) be implemented.
The levy is proposed to begin in the Fall 2027 session and continue for 15 years ending in Winter 2043. The fee would be paid by all undergraduate and graduate students registered at St. George campus. For years 1-5 of the levy's term, the fee would be $15 per term for full-time students and $3 per term for part-time students, increasing by 2% annually; and for years 6–15, the fee would be $25 per term for full-time students and $5 per term for part-time students, increasing by 2% annually.
On January 15, 2026, the Hart House Board of Stewards approved a motion to bring this proposed levy to the Council on Student Services (COSS) for approval.
On February 10, 2026, COSS heard the proposal and the vote did not pass. The Board of Stewards received feedback from COSS that its members held the view that a student-wide referendum should be held so that all students would have the opportunity to vote on this issue directly.
In compliance with the Protocol on the Increase or Introduction of Compulsory Non-tuition Related Fees, on May 27, 2026, Hart House requested approval from the University Affairs Board to hold a referendum. The vote passed and approval was granted. The Board's website provides a public copy of the Board's agenda package and the final meeting report.
The referendum will be overseen by the Referendum Conduct Committee (RCC). The RCC is responsible for establishing and overseeing the referendum regulations, schedule, campaign conduct, expenditures, and voting. In compliance with the Protocol on the Increase or Introduction of Compulsory Non-tuition Related Fees, the RCC's membership is made up of three members: one member appointed by the President, one member appointed by the student unions, and one member appointed by the Dean of the Faculty of Law. The Chief Returning Officer in the Office of the Governing Council serves as Secretary to the RCC.