A simple red felt square – a symbol of student resistance from more than a decade ago in Quebec – is making a comeback on campuses across Ontario this week.
Volunteers at the University of Waterloo’s Student Life Centre distributed red squares attached by safety pins on Monday.
This event, called red square day by organizers, was held in anticipation of a mass protest scheduled for Wednesday that demands the provincial government reverse its plans regarding changes to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).
Damian Mihkail, president of the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA), stopped by on Monday to grab a red square pin from the volunteers.
“The red square, to me, means that I value that education isn’t gated behind income, gated behind your family background,” Mikhail told .
“Everyone should be able to live the life that they’re trying to live, or at least have a fair shot at it.”
Nora Schwindt, a sociology student at Laurier who runs an Instagram protest page, explained they chose the red square “because of the 2011/2012 protests in Quebec against a similar situation.”
“We’re adopting this symbol because they were successful in standing against the government and getting those changes reversed,” Schwindt said. “The symbol is already used and known and we are hoping that will help us.”
An Instagram account called Ontario Protest noted other campuses also had planned red square days on Monday including University of Ottawa, Mc Master University in Hamilton, Brock University in St. Catharines, Humber College in Toronto, Western University in London, Toronto Metropolitan University and Durham College in Oshawa. The Central Student Association at University of Guelph was set to hold an event on Tuesday.
WATCH | Ford responds to student complaints over OSAP funding changes:
Ford responds to student complaints over OSAP funding changes
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he has been hearing thousands of complaints since his province announced significant changes to its OSAP program. He’s encouraging students not to choose “basket-weaving courses,” but rather invest in education leading to jobs that are currently in demand like health care or trades.
Premier Doug Ford announced cuts to OSAP late last month expecting them to start this fall.
The new structure would mean grants would make up only 25 percent of total financial aid while loans would increase to 75 percent. This represents a big change from the previous system where students received up to 85 percent as grants and only up to 15 percent as loans.
Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security told these changes are an investment saying post-secondary education benefits outweigh financial pressures.
“To me it’s money well spent on the student side,” Quinn said.
Students around Waterloo region who are either attending or applying for post-secondary school shared with CBC K-W’s The Morning Edition they feel “discouraged” by these OSAP cuts.
At University of Waterloo students were handing out red square pins and pamphlets calling for a student strike (J. P. Webster/CBC)
History of Quebec protests
In February 2012 thousands of students throughout Quebec walked out during classes protesting against tuition hikes proposed by their province.
Their absence lasted until September.</پ
The seven months filled with protests saw the red square become an important emblem that students wore not just on their clothing but also displayed on flags and signs. LISTEN | What is red square day?:<پ
The Morning Edition – K-W4:56What is Red Square Day?</پ
Students at the University of Waterloo were handing out red squares yesterday aimed at raising awareness about concerns regarding cuts made by the province towards OSAP grants. This was all part of efforts towards gathering support for a province-wide protest happening Wednesday.<پ
Vincent Raynauld is an associate professor within Emerson College’s communication studies department located in Boston; he grew up in Quebec specializing within protest movements.<پ
He remembers how powerful the red square became as it rallied together students unhappy about tuition increases affecting their ability afford an education.<img src="https://ontariochronicle. ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/1777826553_0_default. jpg" alt="" class="thumbnail" loading="lazy"/
The Instagram account dedicated followers under Ontario Protest explains what carrying such symbols means-“squarely in debt”-a phrase reflecting fears students face regarding accumulating debts while pursuing higher learning opportunities.
This resurgence doesn’t surprise Raynauld given how many years have passed since those initial protests began impacting lives then especially now when younger generations find themselves facing similar challenges today too; “I’m not really surprised that this group would be … using [the] red squares as another rallying cry.” Raynauld expressed awareness surrounding what appears detrimental moves directed toward students situated within Canada’s largest provinces contextually here too indicating clear frustration present among young people seeking quality educations amid evolving economic landscapes.”<img src="https://ontariochronicle. ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/1777826554_529_default. jpg" alt="" class="thumbnail" loading="lazy"/
