No student should have to ‘work’ for free. 

This glaring contradiction is the reality of thousands of students in Ontario who are forced into mandatory placements, co-ops and internships without pay.  

In the 2023–2024 academic year alone, 80% of Humber Polytechnic and University of Guelph-Humber students worked unpaid just to graduate. That forces students to work hundreds of hours for free while struggling with rent and food during record-high inflation.  

IGNITE Student Union believes hands-on opportunities give students a unique chance to apply the skills they’ve learned in class to real-world scenarios. But it should be illegal to work for free.  

Time is Money. And it’s time students get paid for theirs. 

We are calling on the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to mandate institutions and companies to provide paid WIL opportunities by: 

• Passing legislation to ensure that all work-integrated learning opportunities are paid. 

• Mandating that colleges and universities only partner with companies and organizations that pay students. 

• Expanding funding in grants, like the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant, to support students across all fields of study. 

Right now, students may not be getting paid, but they’re paying with their health and well-being. That cost is far too high. 

The petition will be delivered to Queen’s Park this November as part of the College Student Alliance’s annual Advocacy Summit.  

Fair pay isn’t optional. It’s a student’s right. 

Sign today!