Building a healthier uOttawa student community, together

There are different types of fees. For example, uOttawa determines tuition fees, which are mandatory fees charged by the University for education and instruction. Ancillary fees, like the ones for health services, sports services and the U-Pass, are mandatory fees added to tuition when calculating university fees. They cover services beyond your program of study. These fees are adjusted each year based on the consumer price index.

• Ancillary fees are subject to referendums to comply with governance-related regulations and get a clear mandate from students on new fees, increases to existing fees or extensions to temporary fees.  
• Research consistently shows that mental health, physical health and social well-being are directly tied to outcomes such as GPA, retention rates and graduation rates.
• In a recent survey, more than half of all uOttawa students have told us they experience moderate to severe mental health challenges, a reality that extends beyond our campus.
• Students have told us that they have difficulty getting an appointment due to limited capacity. Many more appointments are needed to meet student demand.
• The University of Ottawa’s health ancillary fees are the lowest in Ontario. Health ancillary fees playan important role in supporting health services, alongside significant continued investment by the University, including covering the rising costs of academic accommodations.
• As demand for services continues to grow, additional capacity is needed to ensure greater access to care when students need it. 

• For a proposal to pass, 50% plus 1 of all eligible votes cast must be in favour of it.
• After passing, the proposal goes into effect during the next fall term.
• The fees for health services are one of the ancillary fees.
• From March 24 to March 27, 2026, a referendum will be held on uOttawa’s proposal to strengthen access to care by increasing the health ancillary fees.

All active students enrolled in the winter 2026 term who pay the health ancillary fees are eligible to vote (including students on co-op work terms). 

• The current health ancillary fees were set up to provide students with access to health services that suit their circumstances and lifestyles.
• They are charged to students enrolled in a given term and adjusted each year based on the consumer price index.
• Revenues from the health ancillary fees cover some of the costs related to managing and delivering a wide range of health services and programs on campus, including services and appointments available at the Student Health and Wellness Centre.
• Right now, the health ancillary fees help pay the operating costs for roughly 22,000 appointments (medical health) of the 38,000 appointments (medical and mental health) the Student Health and Wellness Centre offers each year.
• 32,000+ peer interactions, 26,000+ Wellness Lounge visits and 20+ workshops

• The Student Health and Wellness Centre could deliver up to 20,000 more appointments, bringing the total medical and mental health-care appointments offered each year to 58,000.
• Some flexibility will still be needed to maintain and adjust other essential services the Student Health and Wellness Centre delivers so we can address shifts in students’ needs and provide full access to care.

• In Ontario, the provincial government doesn’t fund the administration and operations of health-care services provided on university campuses.
• The University continues to fully fund the rising costs of academic accommodations, crisis support and other critical student support services.
• The proposed adjustment to the health ancillary fees will enhance uOttawa’s capacity to meet growing demand. It will help us preserve access to high-quality, appropriate, responsive care and support the continuous improvement of our services.
• If students agree to the fee change, we’ll be able to offer up to 58,000 medical and mental health-care appointments each year (up from 38,000).

Graduate students currently pay less per term than undergraduate students do, even though they use the same medical and mental health-care services at the same rate as undergraduate students. The goal is for the health ancillary fee to be harmonized across the student community. This is standard practice among the majority of Ontario universities.

This is the issue we’re addressing. Through this referendum, the University aims to increase its capacity by up to 20,000 medical and mental health-care appointments at the Student Health and Wellness Centre, which translates to greater access and more care for more students. The University cannot guarantee that every student will always be able to obtain an appointment. Variables such as fluctuating demand for services over time, the type of support required, and student and staff availability can also affect whether a student can be matched with an appointment. The goal of the proposal is to improve access so that more students can receive timely care when they need it.

It will happen gradually following the coming into effect of the new health ancillary fees.

The University will continue to deliver current service as long as funding remains stable.

From March 24 at 9 a.m. to March 27 at 1 p.m., you can vote on whether the proposal to strengthen care should move forward. You will receive an email from the University of Ottawa Office of the Registrar that will include a unique link allowing you to cast your vote virtually. Monitor your uOttawa email account!

If you have any issue submitting your vote, please create an IT ticket with the University's IT Services.