2026 Municipal Election
With the municipal election around the corner, you might be wondering: What issues are affecting students in Hamilton? What does the research say? And where do I even start?
Don’t worry, we’ve done some of the homework for you!
The McMaster Students Union’s Education Department regularly develops research-backed position papers on issues affecting McMaster students. These papers bring together statistics, student concerns and tangible recommendations for how the City of Hamilton and McMaster University can improve student life.
Whether you want to learn more about housing, transit, affordability or other local issues, our Policy Bank is a great place to start. Explore the policies below to get informed before casting your vote!
Based on feedback from more than 500 McMaster students, the Your City Survey explores student experiences with key municipal issues including housing, transit, food security, policing and community safety. The report highlights students’ priorities and provides recommendations for how the City of Hamilton can better support its student population.
What changes could the City of Hamilton make to better support students? The Municipal Budget Submission outlines the MSU’s recommendations for the City across housing, transit, harm reduction, policing and employment, including stronger tenant protections, safer transportation infrastructure and opportunities to better connect students with their city.
What would make students feel more connected to Hamilton and want to stay after graduation? This policy paper explores barriers to student engagement, including employment and networking opportunities, transit, affordability, cultural experiences and community involvement, and recommends ways McMaster and the City of Hamilton can better connect students with opportunities across the city.
How can Hamilton and McMaster work together to build a more sustainable community? This policy paper explores recommendations related to sustainable transportation, waste reduction, environmental planning and collaboration between the City and University, with a focus on reducing environmental impacts both on campus and across Hamilton.
Looking for a deeper dive into student housing in Hamilton? This policy paper explores challenges students face when renting near campus, including housing supply, landlord accountability, tenant resources, neighbourhood safety and by-law enforcement.
Curious about transit in Hamilton and how students interact with it? This policy paper highlights student-identified issues related to transit and transportation, including HSR, GO transit, cycling routes, and more. The recommendations in this paper aim to create a more equitable, accessible, and student-friendly transit system.
Explore all documents on the MSU Advocacy page.