" Volunteers Needed": Saint Mary's sports research centre shines a light on recreational sports infrastructure

2023 Canada Winter Games volunteers

From a kid’s first T-ball season to a company’s Sunday night hockey league, sport and recreation programs across the country depend on regular people setting up, taking down, taking on administrative tasks, handling transportation and coaching players on their own time to keep activities running. 

It’s not a system of favours—it’s an expectation that parents, friends and neighbours will do what it takes to make sure the game goes on, and that expectation can put a lot of pressure on those who step up and take the lead.  

The Scott McCain & Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health at SMU has partnered with Dr. Jackie Oncescu (Associate Professor of Kinesiology at UNB), and a team of researchers at All In Research & Innovation Inc. (All In) to shine a light on an often under-represented and under-researched demographic: volunteers.  

Good Idea, Better Timing  

The origins of this project started in New Brunswick, with Dr. Jackie Oncescu and research designer Dr. Jules Maitland (Founder of All In) co-leading the “Reimagining Access to Sport, Recreation and Leisure” project—a wide-ranging inquiry into equitable access and inclusion to sport, recreation and leisure in New Brunswick.  

2025 Canada Summer Games Volunteers with Team New Brunswick

As the original project came to a close, a growing curiosity emerged around the circumstances that contribute to access and inclusion in sport, and how that access (or lack thereof) can shape communities. This curiosity sparked ongoing conversations with Recreation New Brunswick and Sport New Brunswick—organizations that have a shared interest in examining volunteers and their role in the recreation space—and those conversations turned to the role of volunteers in community systems and how their experiences impact sport systems in New Brunswick.   

Meanwhile at Saint Mary’s, the team at the Scott McCain & Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health was studying the mental health and wellbeing of sports volunteers. Once the connection was made between these groups, the rest was history, and the “SERVE project” (Supporting and Enhancing Rewarding Volunteer Experiences in Sport and Recreation) began.  

“It was just one of those lovely moments of stars aligning,” says research designer Dr. Jules Maitland. “It just made sense to build on the momentum that had already been started in New Brunswick by working with the team at the Scott McCain & Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health.”

Understanding Volunteerism in Sport 

If you’ve ever participated in a recreational sport, you’ve likely witnessed the volunteer work that makes it happen—or you’ve been the volunteer yourself.  

Volunteers on the photography team at the 2025 Canada Summer Games

“This entire sector—especially when you're talking about community sports organizations and recreation organizations—really wouldn't exist without volunteers,” says Madeleine Whalen, Co-Lead on the SERVE project. “They're heavily volunteer-based all the way to the governance level. From coaches to board members, it's very rare that these positions are offered with a large salary.”  

There is a lot of work to keep an athletics program running, and most of it happens before and after the game. Oftentimes, both former and current athletes use their off time to support these programs. Parents and guardians of children who are involved in sports regularly take on extra work, adding more responsibility to their everyday lives.  

When the entire system depends on participants going above and beyond to keep programs running, the longevity of those programs—and the well-being of those who run them—starts to become precarious. 

Supporting the Supporters 

This collaboration involves a 2025 literature review completed by former research assistant Ashley Penney for the Scott McCain & Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health

Dr. Oncescu and the All In team is now working with the centre to dig deeper into the state of volunteerism in sport and develop scalable, innovative solutions to ensure that these programs, and the volunteers that make them possible, are able to thrive. 

Using human-centred design to map patterns from interviews with current and former sports volunteers, this collaborative team is gearing up to answer some key questions on how we can make sport better. 

“One of our priorities is making sure the needs of both volunteers and the organizations are met, ensuring that those experiences are satisfying and sustainable. So, we’re drawing from literature on workplace burnout as a framework,” says Strategic Designer Molly Balcom Raleigh.

“When you have a lack of benefits or an extreme work overload, a lack of a sense of autonomy or are missing some key capacity and skills, things start to go out of balance, and it leads to poor outcomes for the well-being of those participating in that work.”        

Frameworks for discussing burnout are a helpful way to map patterns in the sports world, as volunteers take on more without adequate resources and, on occasion, find themselves in situations they lack the training to address or the resources to support.  

"Critically, it's in this gap where the demands of funders and regulators are high and volunteer skill, resources, and time are low that the greatest risk and damage emerge,” said Dr. Augie Westhaver, Academic Director at the Scott McCain & Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health. “The sport system is effectively a para-health sector—where mental and physical health are key resources for all involved—and without adequate support, volunteers suffer burnout or worse, undermining the safety of the sport system."

The Impact to Come 

The SERVE project is in its early stages, having just launched in April 2026, but the future impact of this work is profound, as understanding the volunteer infrastructure of Canadian sport will pave the way to healthier volunteers, increasing recruitment and retention for the organizations that rely on them.  

This work also lays the foundation for an actionable toolkit for sporting organizations, ensuring volunteers have the resources, training and support they need to do their best work. A healthy sports and recreation infrastructure leads to stronger, healthier, and more connected communities; and Saint Mary’s is primed to be involved in the initial stages of a very necessary exploration.  

Stay tuned to the centre’s social media for live updates as the project unfolds. 

Students tackle deer challenges at the ‘Oh Deer! Help Our Urban Gardens Hackathon'

Students attended the hackathon at CLARI at Saint Mary’s University

This May, post-secondary students from across Nova Scotia came together for the ‘Oh Deer! Help Our Urban Gardens Hackathon’, an entrepreneurial challenge focused on finding creative, sustainable solutions to the growing issue of urban deer populations damaging community gardens.

Hosted by the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, Centre for Leadership Excellence, City of Halifax, CLARI, Common Roots Urban Farm and JustFood, the hackathon challenged students to develop practical, community-ready ideas that could help protect urban growing spaces while balancing environmental considerations. To ensure participants had a strong understanding of the problem, the experience began outside the classroom.

In addition to research and solution development, students were invited to visit the Common Roots Urban Farm Bi-Hi location for a live garden drop-in experience. They had the opportunity to see firsthand the impact deer can have on urban agriculture, speak with those managing the challenge daily and gain valuable context for their projects.

The hands-on visit was followed by an interactive Ask Me Anything session with a Common Roots Urban Farm Manager, who shared insights, answered questions and helped students better understand the realities of maintaining a thriving urban garden in the face of increasing wildlife pressures.

Common Roots Urban Farm BiHi Park
Source: Common Roots

Urban deer seen in Halifax

Over the course of the hackathon, students worked collaboratively to transform their observations and research into innovative solutions. Teams explored a variety of approaches, combining entrepreneurial thinking, sustainability principles and community impact to address a real-world problem.

SMU’s winning team: Elijah Bucci, Malik Abdullahi, Wyn Go, Chloe Staple

After presenting their final pitches, Saint Mary’s University students Malik Abdullahi, Chloe Staple, Wyn Go and Elijah Bucci were awarded first place for their solution.

For winning team member Malik Abdullahi, the experience was both rewarding and eye-opening.

“The Oh Deer Hackathon was an amazing experience because we got to tackle a real issue impacting our local community. Collaborating as a team to pitch a sustainable solution after getting insights from the Common Roots Urban Farm team gave us real insight on how entrepreneurial thinking can solve environmental challenges. Winning first place was definitely a proud moment for all of us!”

A special thank you to the Centre for Leadership Excellence, the City of Halifax, CLARI, Common Roots Urban Farm and JustFood for their partnership and support in bringing this hackathon to life and providing students with a valuable real-world learning experience.

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If you are interested in joining opportunities like this in the future, sign up for the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre’s newsletter to learn more about future opportunities.

Love, loss and legacy: The Saint Mary’s alumna behind My Grandfather’s Cat

When Angela Rafuse BComm’16 first stepped onto Saint Mary’s University’s campus, she immediately felt at home.

“I grew up on the South Shore. I’m very proud to be from Chester,” she said. “I loved that everything was in one city block. For a small-town girl who hadn’t spent much time in Halifax, it felt safe and close-knit.”

She graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Commerce in Global Business Management, carrying with her not only her degree, but a network of lifelong friends. “The friendships I made at SMU are everything. I’ve gone to their weddings. I’m now an aunt to their children. When I started My Grandfather’s Cat, I reached out to a lot of my friends from SMU.” These connections helped shape her not-for-profit in more ways than one, including web development, accounting and even establishing a board of directors.

“My friends and I still wear our SMU rings whenever we go out. I’m very proud to have gone there.”

The cat that started it all

After university, Angela’s career took her to Toronto, where she was working in marketing and communications for the Salvation Army’s national team. She loved the fast-paced learning and the sense of purpose that comes with working in not-for-profit organizations. Then, life changed with one phone call: her beloved grandfather passed away.

Her first thought wasn’t about logistics. It was about his cat, Mackenzie.

“She was 14, grumpy and didn’t like anyone except my grandparents,” she said, smiling. “My grandfather had even put money aside for her care. I just couldn’t imagine her going to a shelter.”

Determined to help, Angela told her parents she’d take Mackenzie, even if it meant flying her to Toronto. As fate would have it, just two weeks later, she was offered a position with the organization’s Maritime division, bringing her back home to Nova Scotia. “It felt like a sign.”

Then came the pandemic. With lockdowns in place and work shifting online, Angela and Mackenzie found themselves spending every day together. “Out of boredom, I started making TikToks,” she laughed. “I didn’t realize how it worked, that anyone could see them. Suddenly, people were asking, ‘Why did you name your cat Mackenzie?’ and I’d reply, ‘She’s not my cat. She’s my grandfather’s cat.’”

That simple reply sparked something bigger than she could have ever imagined. “People started commenting, saying they’d been through the same thing – a loved one passed away, and they didn’t know what happened to their pet. So I started researching and realized that there wasn’t an organization that helps seniors rehome their pets before they move or pass away. I thought, ‘Why is nobody doing this?’’”

Turning grief into good

On May 18, 2021 – her grandfather’s birthday – Angela launched My Grandfather’s Cat. “When a loved one passes away, their birthday becomes a sad day. This gave us a way to celebrate. It’s not sad anymore.”

The concept is simple: connect seniors or individuals with terminal illnesses who can no longer care for their pets with compassionate adopters. It’s built on the idea that both people and animals deserve dignity, love and continuity. “We don’t focus on the sad parts. We celebrate the good. The cats are in their second forever homes, and the seniors know their animals are okay. That’s what’s important to us.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by MY GRANDFATHER’S CAT 🐾 (@mygrandfatherscat)

In just a few years, My Grandfather’s Cat has grown far beyond a pandemic passion project. The charity has facilitated hundreds of adoptions, built a vibrant online community and inspired people around the world to take small, meaningful actions of kindness.

Still, Angela remains grounded. “I’m just a girl who took her grandfather’s cat. I’ve learned everything by doing and surrounding myself with the right people who share my passion for it. When I’m really down, I read the comments on our milestone posts and people celebrating with us. Sometimes the community keeps me going.”

That belief now echoes in every adoption story her organization helps create, in the seniors who find comfort knowing their pets are cared for and in the hundreds of cats who have found new homes because one young alumna decided to take a chance on an idea born from love.

Lessons in leadership

Running My Grandfather's Cat full-time hasn’t been easy. For the first two years, Angela balanced running the charity with her day job. “People say, ‘If you have a dream, quit your job and go for it.’ But you can’t pay rent in dreams. I had to do both. Running a charity full-time was a huge risk, and there wasn’t much money in the bank account, but I shifted my whole skill set to this. I’m thankful it worked, and I’m thankful people believe in it.”

That pragmatic optimism – part humility, part hustle – defines her leadership style. “To me, the entrepreneurial mindset isn’t about quitting everything and hoping for the best. It’s about doing what you love responsibly, trusting your instincts and learning as you go.”

Her advice to young alumni or current students? “Surround yourself with people who believe in you and then stop caring what anyone else thinks. If you have an idea that lights you up, follow that instinct.”

Full-circle moments

Today, Angela’s days are filled with emails, partnerships, adoption stories and a sense of gratitude that the work she does truly matters. And when she puts on her Saint Mary’s ring, she remembers where that belief began.

“Saint Mary’s will always be the first place I believed in myself. The place that taught me that I could do something more.”

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This story was featured in the Fall edition of the Maroon + White alumni magazine. Visit the online magazine to read more alumni stories!

No more stolen sisters: Red Dress Day 2026

May 5 is Red Dress Day, the National Day of Awareness and Remembrance for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people (MMIWG2S). 

Inspired by Métis artist Jaime Black’s REDress Project, red dresses will hang in various locations within the Patrick Power Library as a symbol of those who never returned home and to bring awareness to the ongoing violence against Indigenous communities.

 The SMU community is encouraged to visit the Library to view the dresses and the related book display, to support learning and reflection on Indigenous culture and experience.

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Additional resources

• Visit the online Red Dress Day Booklist for more than 25 titles curated by the Patrick Power Library.

• Indigenous Studies Research Guide

• Mi’kmaw History Resources

• Indigenous community at SMU

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Outreach and Engagement Librarian Sarah West and Indigenous Student Advisor Kylar Johnson worked together to create a refreshed installation in the Patrick Power Library for 2026. To further honour Red Dress Day and raise awareness, a video was created for SMU’s social media channels, capturing the display and featuring powerful messages that reflect the impacts of the ongoing crisis.

The Red Dress Day video has received more than 800K views at last count, extending the reach of this powerful and poignant message well beyond our campus.

Applications open: the Access Ability Incubator returns for 2026

The Access Ability Entrepreneurship Incubator, facilitated through the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre and funded by the Government of Canada’s Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities, is returning for 2026, continuing its mission to support entrepreneurs who self-identify as living with a disability. Following the success of previous cohorts, the program renewal marks another step forward in creating more inclusive pathways into entrepreneurship.

Since its launch, the incubator has supported over 40 participants in starting and running their own businesses, providing not only the tools to build viable ventures but also a strong sense of community and confidence. The program is designed to reduce common barriers to entrepreneurship by offering structured support, mentorship and financial resources.

The 2026 extension will run from May through December and be delivered across two 14-week cohorts, with 11 participants per group. Throughout the program, participants will engage in hands-on, participant-centred learning that focuses on validating business ideas, developing practical skills and building sustainable plans for growth.

Participants receive compensation throughout the program, aligned with minimum wage, as well as $1,000 in seed funding to support early-stage business development. In addition, they gain access to one-on-one mentorship, peer collaboration and a supportive network tailored to their needs.

By combining financial support with guided learning and mentorship, the Access Ability Entrepreneurship Incubator empowers participants to move forward with clarity and confidence in their entrepreneurial journey.

Applications for the 2026 cohorts are now open. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply here and take the next step in bringing their business ideas to life.

Highlighting the SMU Community during National Volunteer Week

National Volunteer Week (April 19-25) is an annual opportunity to recognize and celebrate people who give their time, skills and energy to strengthen communities across Canada. At Saint Mary’s, many faculty, staff, students and alumni across the university quietly give back and make a meaningful difference through volunteering.

Through initiatives such as the Co-Curricular Recognition program and Community Service Learning, volunteering has also become an important way for students to put their learning into practise while making a positive impact.

“Volunteering enriches the student experience by connecting academic content to real-world situations,” says Christy Starkey, Co-Curricular & Career360° Lead at Saint Mary’s. “It helps build professional connections and offers a meaningful way to give back to the community.”

The impact is impressive: in 2025, over 450 students volunteered a total of 22,000 hours with 111 local organizations, including the IWK Foundation, Chisholm Services for Children (Links Literacy program), Parker Street Food and Furniture Bank and more.

This week, we are highlighting just a few of our student and alumni volunteers who are committed to making things better for all. Read on to be inspired and join us in thanking volunteers across SMU for all that they do!

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Yusupha Njie

Yusupha is a third‑year Bachelor of Science student double-majoring in computer science and business administration. As Coordinator of the SMU Community Food Room, he proudly oversees a team of more than 50 volunteers, providing essential support to fellow students.

In 2025, Yusupha logged the highest number of CCR volunteer hours, contributing an exceptional 840 hours.

“To me, being part of a community means showing up for one another and ensuring everyone has the support they need to succeed.”

Deana Symes

Deana, a fifth-year Master of Science in Applied Science student, was recently named the 2025-26 Huskies Female President's Award winner for Outstanding Academic and Athletic Performance for her commitment to her rugby team and community, as well as being a five-time Academic All-Canadian and Dean's List recipient.

A leader with women’s rugby, she pairs excellence on the field with service off campus, volunteering as an assistant coach with Sackville High Rugby, supporting the SMU Community Food Room, serving as a medical responder at campus sporting events and being an active member of the Chemistry Society.

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Melissa Alvarez Del Angel

Melissa, a fourth-year Bachelor of Science Honours student majoring in psychology, is highly involved on and off campus. She has provided extensive support to students as a Senior RA and she volunteers at Peter’s Place, assisting individuals recovering from brain injuries. Melissa is also involved in the French Woodland Conservation Project and has supported initiatives at the IWK Foundation.

“Volunteering has allowed me to give back to a community that has given me so much, and to create a positive difference, even if only in a small corner of the world.”

Noah Martin

Noah has made a lasting impact through sustained volunteer leadership and community engagement. He completed a work‑integrated learning placement with Shelter Movers, which provides moving and storage services to individuals and families fleeing abuse. He continued as Lead Volunteer with Shelter Movers, mentoring students, coordinating volunteers and modelling trauma‑informed practice.

His long‑term commitment to both Shelter Movers and the Nova Scotia Environmental Network has strengthened community partnerships, built trust and ensured meaningful, ongoing learning opportunities for future SMU students.

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Naomi Onyechi

Naomi is a third-year Arts student majoring in psychology and criminology who participates in the Co-Curricular Recognition and Community Service Learning programs.

Following her CSL placement, she continued volunteering with the Halifax Association for Community Living. She is one of the first recipients to receive the Community Engaged Learning Certificate, which celebrates students who have gone beyond the classroom to meaningfully connect their academic learning with community-based work. 

“Volunteering is an invaluable experience that changed how I connected with my schoolwork, as it took theories I saw in my textbooks and showed me what it looked like in a real-life context. I got to grow with a team and learned new ways of connecting with people, which helped expand my mind on what inclusion could look like.”

Maddie Vanderlinden BA’24

While completing her Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Intercultural Studies and French, Maddie built a strong sense of community through her involvement with SAGA (Students Acting for Global Awareness), the French Society, WUSC (World University Service of Canada), and as a Welcome Weeks Leader—connections that made her experience unforgettable. 

Today, she continues that connection as a member of both the Alumni Council and the Young Alumni Committee, roles she stepped into immediately after graduating. 

“I chose to continue volunteering with SMU as a way to stay connected after graduating,” she shares. “I had such a positive experience during my time there.” 

Food service: What's open during exam period

Please note changes to SMU Dining hours during study days and the Winter Term exam period.

April 9-23, 2026

Dockside
Mon-Fri: 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sat-Sun: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
*April 18: 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Last day: April 24, 8-11 a.m.

C-Store
Mon-Fri: 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sat: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sun: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Gorsebrook Lounge
Mon-Fri: 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
Sat-Sun: Closed
Last day: April 22

Tim Hortons
Mon-Fri: 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
Sat-Sun: Closed
*April 18: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Starbucks
Mon-Fri: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sat-Sun: Closed

Late Night Delivery
Mon-Tues: Closed
Weds-Sun: 10 p.m.-2 a.m.
Last day: April 12

Student Centre Food Court and Sandwich Shack: Closed

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April 24-May 3, 2026

Here’s what’s open on campus between exam period and Spring Term:

Tim Hortons:
Mon-Fri: 7:30-3:30 p.m.
Sat-Sun: Closed

C-Store
Mon-Fri: 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Sat-Sun: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

All other dining options: Closed

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Check the SMU Dining website for all current operating hours.

Food service: What's open over Easter weekend

See below for a reminder of what's open for food service on campus April 3-6, or visit https://smuca.campusdish.com/

Open:

• DOCKSIDE: Fri-Mon, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.

• C-STORE: Fri - Mon, 11 a.m.– 6 p.m.

Closed

• TIM HORTONS

• STARBUCKS

• STUDENT CENTRE FOOD COURT

• GORSEBROOK LOUNGE

• SANDWICH SHACK

• LATE NIGHT DELIVERY

New exhibit at Patrick Power Library celebrates Black Canadian Histories

David Zapparoli, Dr. Michael Khan, Donna Paris and Dr. Lynn Jones

David Zapparoli and Donna Paris (center) are joined by Dr. Shannon Dea, PVPAR; Suzanne van den Hoogen, Dean, University Library and Archives; Sarah West, Librarian; Hansel Cook, Associate Dean, Library Strategy, Planning and Assessment; and Dr. Michael Khan, University President

Ayo Aladejebi and Robert Meek conduct a libation ceremony

Artists discuss the exhibit with Dr. Lynn Jones and attendees

The exhibit is on display in the Patrick Power Library until March 28

Anecia Shephard, Arts student; Danae Conrad, Black Student Ambassador; Deborah Brothers-Scott, Director, Diversity Inclusion and Wellness; Ebun Oladele, Black Student Advisor

Debbie Miller Brown

Dr. Val Johnson and Dr. Lynn Jones

Artists David Zapparoli and Donna Paris

Donna Paris and David Zapparoli (center) with Danae Conrad, Ebun Oladele, Anecia Shephard and Deborah Brothers-Scott

To mark its 50th anniversary and the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21, the Patrick Power Library proudly hosted the launch of Black Threads of the Canadian Tapestry, a new exhibition by artist Donna Paris and photographer David Zapparoli.

Featuring compelling portraits and accompanying audio stories, the exhibition highlights the diverse lived experiences of Black Canadians and invites visitors to engage with them in a meaningful way.

The launch event brought together students, faculty, staff and community members for an afternoon of reflection and celebration. Emceed by Associate Dean Hansel Cook, the program included remarks from Dean Suzanne van den Hoogen and Provost Dr. Shannon Dea, a moving libation ceremony by Black community members Ayo Aladejebi and Robert Meek, and a powerful spoken-word performance by second-year Arts student Anecia Shephard. Paris and Zapparoli also shared insights into the stories and artistic process behind the project.

The exhibition is now open on the first floor of the Patrick Power Library and will remain on display until Saturday, March 28. Visitors can explore a central banner and view portraits that link via QR code to personal oral‑history interviews recorded by the artists.

Black Threads of the Canadian Tapestry is supported by the Patrick Power Library and Saint Mary’s University, with contributions from the Director of Diversity, Inclusion and Wellness and the Black Student Advisor. Additional funding was provided by the Ontario Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts.

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Watch:

The event was featured on CTV News

Saint Mary’s graduate student uncovers hidden barriers in PEI’s rental market

When Brittany Cormier began scrolling through rental ads in Charlottetown, she was not looking for a research topic. She was trying to help people keep a roof over their heads. 

Brittany Cormier

At the time, Brittany was working in a rent-geared-to-income program on Prince Edward Island, supporting tenants who were being displaced by renovations, short-term rental conversions, or landlords reclaiming units for personal use. Helping people find alternative housing meant hours spent reviewing online rental advertisements. 

What she noticed was language that quietly shaped who felt able to apply. “There were patterns that kept repeating,” Brittany recalls. “Requirements that seemed neutral, but in practice discouraged a lot of people before they ever had a chance.” 

Those observations stayed with her. Years later, as a student in Saint Mary’s University’s Master of Applied Health Services Research (MAHSR) program, they became the foundation of a research fellowship through the Canadian Centre for Housing Rights (CCHR) and a published report examining discrimination and exclusion in rental housing advertisements across the capital region of PEI. 

From lived experience to applied research 

Brittany has been a student in the MAHSR program since 2018, with research focused on hidden homelessness, evictions and inequities in the rental sector. Her academic work has always been closely connected to her professional experience. 

“I was already seeing these issues on the ground,” she says. “The fellowship gave me the opportunity to study what I had been observing for years, but in a systematic way.” 

As part of the Canadian Right to Housing Research Fellowship, Brittany manually collected more than 1,800 rental advertisements over a 22-week period in 2023. Ads were gathered from Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji, the two primary platforms used for rental listings on the Island. From that larger set, a representative sample was analyzed in depth. 

Each advertisement was reviewed individually, documenting rental type, pricing and language that could signal discrimination or exclusion. “That close reading is where patterns start to reveal themselves,” Brittany says. 

What the ads revealed 

The findings were striking. 

Seventy-seven percent of the rental ads in the sample contained discriminatory or exclusionary language. More than half included multiple barriers. Some of that language fell within protected grounds under the PEI Human Rights Act, such as source of income or family status. Other language did not technically violate legislation, but still discouraged certain people or groups from applying at all. 

“One of the most important distinctions in the study was between discrimination and exclusion,” Brittany explains. “Even when something is legal, it can still have real consequences for who is able to access housing.”

Even in the absence of evidence of intent or authorship, the findings highlight how the cumulative effect of exclusionary screening practices operating within a constrained housing market can meaningfully restrict access to housing. 

The type of barriers also differed by housing arrangement. For example, language related to source of income and family or marital status was more prevalent in standalone unit ads, while language related to sex and gender expression or gender identity was more prevalent in shared accommodation ads.   

Another unexpected finding was the volume of shared accommodation listings. Nearly half of all ads analyzed involved people seeking roommates. “To me, that really spoke to affordability constraints,” Brittany says. “People are sharing not because they want to, but because it’s the only way they can afford to live.” 

Why it matters 

While the research focuses on rental advertisements, Brittany is clear that the implications extend beyond housing. “Housing is foundational,” she says. “When people cannot access stable housing, the impacts show up everywhere, including health, education, and employment.” 

She points to economic exclusion as particularly urgent. Even without discriminatory language, rising rents alone are preventing low-income individuals and families from participating in the private rental market. “When housing is financially out of reach, people are left with overcrowding, unsafe arrangements or homelessness,” she says.  

For students and researchers, Brittany believes the study offers a clear example of how systemic barriers can operate quietly in everyday processes. “This isn’t just about bad actors,” she says. “It’s about how ordinary practices shape access.” 

The Saint Mary’s influence 

Brittany credits her experience at Saint Mary’s with shaping how she approaches this research.  

Supervision for her MAHSR thesis – a separate project looking at hidden and at-risk homelessness – falls under the Department of Social Justice and Community Studies, which helped her develop a human rights-based lens over time. 

“When I started my program, I didn’t fully understand the right to housing as a framework,” she says. “Through mentorship and coursework, that lens became central to my work.” 

The MAHSR program’s emphasis on applied, community-grounded research also mattered. Brittany completed the fellowship while continuing to live and work in her home community. “It meant I could study housing issues while being embedded in the place I was studying,” she says. “Small communities experience housing challenges too, but they’re often understudied.” 

Looking ahead 

While the report stops short of policy recommendations, Brittany hopes it contributes to broader conversations about housing access and fairness. 

“If we ignore barriers at the earliest stages of the housing search process, we miss a critical part of the problem,” she says. “Addressing housing supply alone isn’t enough if people are discouraged before they can even apply.” 

For anyone searching for their first apartment, her advice is practical. Learn your tenant rights. Ask questions. Keep records. “It’s okay not to know everything,” Brittany says. “But having information can make a real difference.” 

As for what she hopes readers take away: “Housing discrimination doesn’t always look dramatic,” she says. “Often, it’s quiet and easy to overlook, yet its effects can shape people’s lives in lasting ways.” 

Saint Mary's-based Centre sets gold standard for shoreline protection in Atlantic Canada

Molega Lake. Credit: Kelly Umlah

Kingsburg dune plantings - Sept. 2025. Credit: Rosmarie Lohnes

Molega Lake. Credit: Kelly Umlah

Kingsburg - Invasive Species Removal. Credit: Kelly Umlah

Kingsburg - Nov. 2025 - Wattle Fence. Credit: Dawn Slack

Sometimes climate leadership looks like a homeowner choosing a thriving habitat over a quick-fix retaining wall.

TransCoastal Adaptations (TCA), the Saint Mary’s University-based Centre for Nature-Based Solutions, has announced a major milestone for coastal resilience: the first certified Green Shores for Homes projects in Atlantic Canada.

Two waterfront properties, located at Kingsburg Beach and Molega Lake in southwest Nova Scotia (Kespukwitk), have both achieved Gold-level certification, the highest standard under the program.

For decades, waterfront improvements have often involved installing rock walls or concrete that can unintentionally worsen erosion and destroy local ecosystems. The Green Shores for Homes program, coordinated in the Maritimes by the TCA team at Saint Mary’s, offers a different path.

Dr. Danika Van Proosdij, Saint Mary’s University Professor and Director of TransCoastal Adaptations

“These projects prove that climate adaptation and biodiversity protection can go hand-in-hand,” says Dr. Danika Van Proosdij, Coastal geomorphologist and professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at Saint Mary’s University, as well as the Director and Co-Founder of TCA.

“By working with natural processes rather than against them, these homeowners are protecting their properties while also strengthening the health of our coastlines,” she says.

Southwest Nova Scotia is a recognized biodiversity hotspot, home to many species at risk. These Gold-certified sites serve as practical models for how individual actions can contribute to broader environmental outcomes:

• At Kingsburg Beach, erosion mitigation and sand-capture techniques were implemented to stabilize the shoreline while maintaining natural coastal dynamics.

• At Molega Lake, a full riparian zone restoration was completed, creating a natural buffer that improves water quality and increases resilience to flooding.

“The impact of these projects extends past the property lines,” says Dr. Van Proosdij. “The homeowners on these two properties treated their certification as a starting point for advocacy, engaging with their neighbours and local communities on shoreline health.”

True to the Saint Mary’s mission of community-engaged research, these projects bring together a wide range of expertise. While TCA provided the framework, the work on the ground was supported by:

• Helping Nature Heal Inc. and CB Wetlands and Environmental Specialists (Design and implementation)

• Manzer Brothers Excavation and Landworks Inc. (On-the-ground support)

• The Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute and Government of Nova Scotia biologists (Specialized knowledge of Atlantic Coastal Plain flora and endangered reptiles)

As climate pressures like rising sea levels and storm intensity continue to affect Atlantic Canada, the success of the Kingsburg and Molega Lake projects is a proven example that coastal living can be protected by working in partnership with nature, one shoreline at a time.

To learn more about Green Shores for Homes and how TransCoastal Adaptations is leading nature-based climate solutions, visit transcoastaladaptations.com.

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Event on campus

Join Dr. Van Proosdij for an upcoming event with Dr. Jonathan Fowler: "Re-imagining resilience in Bay of Fundy Dykelands." 

Thursday, February 26, 2026
6-8:30 p.m.
Unilever Lounge, 4th floor Sobey School of Business
923 Robie St.

Welcome to the first annual fireside chat in the series Reimagining Rural Resilience: Changing Landscapes and Lifescapes. Hosted by The Gorsebrook Research Institute for Atlantic Canada Studies (GRI), the TransCoastal Adaptations Centre for Nature-Based Solutions (TCA) at Saint Mary's University, and the Community Conservation Research Network (CCRN), this series will showcase new research on and about Nova Scotia with the public.

This is a friendly fireside chat, open to everyone. Light refreshments provided. Together, let's learn about the latest research beyond barriers of university classrooms. Register here.

Celebrating service and community at SMU

On Friday, November 28, McNally Auditorium was nearly full as faculty and staff gathered for Saint Mary’s 31st Annual Employee Recognition Awards. The event offered a chance to pause, connect, and celebrate the contributions that make our university community strong. From the opening remarks to the final photo, the atmosphere was warm and lively, with cheers ringing out as colleagues accepted their awards.

President Dr. Michael Khan opened the ceremony by reflecting on the significance of long-term commitment. “In a time when long-term service is increasingly rare, your dedication stands out. It speaks volumes about your loyalty, your passion, and your belief in the work we do together,” he said. “Your contributions have a lasting impact on our students, our colleagues, and the broader community.”

This year, Saint Mary’s recognized 15 employees marking 10 years, 21 employees reaching 25 years, and three individuals achieving 35 years of service, along with part-time faculty who have been affiliated for 15 years. These milestones represent decades of teaching, research, and support that shape the student experience.

“Today is a rare moment for us to lift our heads from our classrooms, labs, offices, and inboxes—and to come together as a community,” said Provost Dr. Shannon Dea. “We’re here not just to mark work anniversaries, but to honour the spirit of dedication and care that you bring every day.”

The ceremony also featured the President’s Awards for Exemplary Service, presented to:

• Dr. Jason Grek Martin, for leadership in Geography and Environmental Studies and advancing experiential learning.

• Kati Kilfoil, Assistant Director of Residence Life, for creating inclusive programs and mentoring student leaders.

• Michael Sanderson, Director of the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, for championing student entrepreneurship and global recognition through Enactus.

The Santamarian Awards, which celebrate contributions to workplace culture, recognized Andy Baker, Campus Store Manager, with the Individual Award, and the SMU Alumni Team with the Team Award. Honourable Mentions went to Greg Knight, Assistant Director of Athletics and Recreation, and the BA Advising Centre.

As the formal program concluded, attendees lingered for refreshments and conversation, continuing the spirit of connection that defines this annual tradition. Congratulations to all honourees—and thank you for helping make Saint Mary’s a welcoming and collaborative place to learn and work.

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VIDEO: Watch the slide presentation below highlighting our award recipients!