Toronto Metropolitan University responds to TMSU Investigation

The university has been made aware of an investigative report commissioned by the Toronto Metropolitan Students’ Union (TMSU) on potential financial mismanagement, and is deeply concerned about the allegations. At this time the university is contractually obligated to keep the information shared with us confidential, and we hope that the TMSU will share details when appropriate with students.

While the university acknowledges and appreciates the efforts of the current TMSU leadership to address these matters, this development is troubling for everyone in the TMU community, particularly students who pay student union fees and expect accountability from their elected representatives. 

The student union is a separate legal entity from the university, with its own governance structure. The students’ union Board of Directors is accountable for the affairs of the organization, and oversees its finances. The student union is wholly controlled, operated by, and accountable to students. 

Despite the university’s interest in ensuring the student union employs proper governance and oversight practices, the university has no authority under its operating agreement with the student union to conduct internal reviews of finances or to dictate internal policies and decision-making. This was reinforced in the 2020 decision in Ryerson Students’ Union v. Ryerson University, where the university was ordered to transfer fees to the student union despite significant concerns over prior allegations of mismanagement. 

In light of the allegations of mismanagement, the university calls on the TMSU to implement common sense and good conscience measures to address these issues now. These measures should include: 

• Holding those responsible for any financial impropriety accountable for their actions;
• TMSU Board-appointment of an independent professional accountant or accounting firm to act in a permanent controller capacity moving forward;  
• Increased controls, oversight, and transparency on executive expenses and reimbursements; 
• Public disclosure of expenditures and procurements in excess of a reasonable dollar threshold.

The University welcomes the opportunity for continued collaboration and dialogue with the student union, and will support efforts to increase transparency and accountability to students.