Lily PolenchukIf you’ve ever wondered what happens when three students go toe-to-toe over government lobbying, student transit, and the fate of a seemingly useless advocacy organization, welcome to the 2025 vice-president (external) (VPX) race. It’s got everything: political experience, social media warriors, and promises so ambitious they could probably be classified as fantasy fiction. However, it’s more than just entertainment — students will get the chance to vote on who will be the University of Alberta Students’ Union’s (SU) next VPX. But who has the best shot at actually making life better for students? And more importantly — who deserves your vote?
The race for VPX this year has been a compelling one. Affordability, government engagement, and student advocacy are at the heart of each candidate’s platform. With three contenders — Abdul Abbasi, Nate Goetz, and Juan Munoz — students must decide who has the strongest vision and the most effective plan to advocate on their behalf. Each candidate brings something different to the table. However, some stand out more than others in their ability to execute real change.
Abdul Abbasi
Abbasi, the incumbent VPX, is seeking re-election on a platform of experience, connections, and pragmatic advocacy. He argues that his existing relationships with policymakers give him an advantage, particularly as Alberta heads into both municipal and federal elections. Abbasi’s core focuses include affordability, increasing university operating grants to prevent tuition hikes, and pushing for a more equitable financial aid system that removes parental income from federal loan assessments.
A major strength of Abbasi’s campaign has been his emphasis on achievable, short-term goals. He prioritizes solutions that he believes can realistically be implemented. This includes securing more work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities for students and advocating for targeted funding increases rather than broad, unrealistic demands. Transit accessibility, particularly in improving transportation between the Augustana Campus and Edmonton, is a big focus for him. This highlights his attention to regional student concerns. However, Abbasi’s reliance on his previous term should leave voters wary. Given that a portion of his campaign relies on continuing projects from his previous term, it brings into question whether he will get much done in his second term, either.
Abbasi has also taken a firm stance against the SU remaining in the Council of Alberta University Students (CAUS). He argues that the organization has been ineffective in achieving tangible advocacy wins. His argument is sound — CAUS has struggled with governance issues and has failed to submit key budget requests to the provincial government. Rather than relying on an underperforming organization, Abbasi proposes a more direct advocacy strategy through strengthened relationships with provincial stakeholders and independent collaboration with other student unions. This approach ensures that student advocacy remains focused and adaptable rather than constrained by bureaucratic inefficiencies. While some may see this as a risky departure from traditional student advocacy frameworks, his reasoning is practical. The SU should invest in advocacy models that yield real results.
Nate Goetz
Goetz presents himself as the candidate who will elevate student voices through media engagement and aggressive external advocacy. His campaign is built on the idea that the best way to secure student support from the government is through visibility. He insists on using media pressure and public accountability to force action. He has frequently referenced the need to highlight student struggles, arguing that if these issues are widely publicized, decision-makers will be compelled to respond.
Goetz’s major strengths lie in his communication skills and his ability to frame student issues in a way that garners attention. He has committed to pushing for increased funding for student mental health services, advocating for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and ensuring that students have access to affordable housing. His strategy includes strengthening partnerships with national student advocacy bodies like the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA). This will ensure that the U of A’s concerns are consistently presented at a national level.
However, while Goetz’s passion for student advocacy is evident, his approach is not always the most structured. He argues that Abbasi’s political connections will become less relevant with incoming governments. But he does not provide a detailed plan for how he will build his own relationships with policymakers. Moreover, given the current political climate in Alberta, it is unlikely that the United Conservative Party (UCP) will be removed from power any time soon. Hence, his critiques on Abbasi’s former networking lose a bit of strength. His media-centric approach is compelling but lacks clarity on how he would convert attention into tangible policy wins. For students who believe in aggressive external pressure as the primary advocacy tool, Goetz presents a compelling option. Despite this, he may need to develop a more structured plan for securing long-term commitments from policymakers.
Honestly, I would consider Goetz’s campaign a lot stronger if he was running in the vice-president (student life) (VPSL) race. Maybe we will see him again next year running for a role better suited to his ambitions.
Juan Munoz
Munoz takes a populist approach to the VPX race. He positions himself as the candidate who will fight against tuition hikes, push for increased student funding, and advocate for better job opportunities. His speeches throughout the campaign have focused on the idea that students are being left behind by the government. To him, a more confrontational advocacy strategy is needed to demand better financial support.
One of Munoz’s strongest arguments is his emphasis on financial security for students. He has committed to expanding funding for mental health initiatives, ensuring greater investment in the Campus Food Bank (CFB), and fighting for indexed student grants. His belief that students should not have to bear the burden of rising tuition costs resonates with many. Moreover, his promises to work closely with CASA and other advocacy organizations reflect a broad, coalition-based strategy.
However, Munoz’s campaign sometimes leans more into rhetoric than into actionable policy solutions. Advocacy for restructuring the Canadian immigration point system to retain international students was a key argument for him. While an important issue, it is a sensitive topic to make one of your main priorities in the VPX role. Given the current crack-down on immigration going on at the federal level, and the possibility of a Conservative government winning the next federal election, it is highly contentious and unlikely that there will be much ground covered on that campaign promise.
Similarly, he speaks strongly about fighting tuition hikes. Yet, he has not detailed the specific mechanisms he would use to prevent them. His passion is evident, but his proposals often lack the level of precision necessary to translate them into immediate wins for students. For voters who want a strong, idealistic voice advocating for them, Munoz offers a compelling choice. However, he may need to refine his approach to make it more actionable.
Who will win?
Abbasi is the most likely candidate to win this race. His incumbency gives him name recognition and a solid base of support. Furthermore, his platform aligns closely with student concerns about affordability and government funding. While Goetz and Munoz have made compelling arguments, neither has presented a campaign as structured or achievable as Abbasi’s. Goetz’s media-driven approach may appeal to some students, but without clear execution strategies, it risks being more performative than effective. Munoz, while passionate, leans heavily on broad promises without the policy depth to back them up. Abbasi’s combination of pragmatism, experience, and strategic thinking makes him both the strongest and the most electable candidate in this race.
Who should win?
In my opinion, Abbasi is the best choice for VPX. His experience in the role, his existing relationships with government stakeholders, and his focus on practical, achievable advocacy give him a clear advantage. Unlike his opponents, Abbasi has a proven track record of securing wins for students, from transit improvements to affordability measures. His proposal to move away from CAUS, rather than relying on an ineffective organization, shows that he is willing to rethink traditional advocacy strategies and prioritize what actually works. His campaign has not been flawless, particularly in terms of precision with statistics. Despite this, his overall approach demonstrates the strongest leadership and policy direction. Abbasi is the candidate most prepared to secure tangible results for students.
