Terms of service
TERMS OF SERVICE
STUDENT UNION NETWORK INC.
Effective Date: October 18, 2026
Last Updated: October 18, 2026
Website: www.studentunions.ca
1. INTRODUCTION AND ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS
1.1. These Terms of Service (the "Terms") govern access to and use of the official website operated by Student Union Network Inc. (hereinafter referred to as "SUN," "we," "us," or "our"), located at www.studentunions.ca (the "Website"), including its online membership registration and payment functions.
1.2. SUN is a Canadian not-for-profit corporation based in the Province of Ontario, Canada, dedicated to supporting students through advocacy, community initiatives, resources, services, partnerships, membership benefits, and opportunities.
1.3. By accessing or using the Website, Users acknowledge these Terms. Where acceptance is required for a purchase, membership registration, or other transaction, Users must affirmatively agree to the applicable terms before completing the transaction.
1.4. Individuals who do not agree with these Terms should discontinue use of the Website and refrain from completing transactions or submitting information through its forms.
1.5. These Terms govern the Website and transactions conducted through it. Separate policies, membership agreements, or additional terms may apply to specific SUN programs, services, membership arrangements, or mobile applications.
2. PURPOSE AND NATURE OF THE WEBSITE
2.1. The Website serves as an official information, communication, and membership platform for SUN.
2.2. The Website may provide information relating to SUN membership, student advocacy, housing, legal resources, immigration, health and wellness, financial support, transportation, community initiatives, partnerships, career opportunities, and other student services.
2.3. The Website may permit eligible individuals to apply for and purchase memberships, submit inquiries, and access information concerning organizational programs and benefits.
2.4. Information presented on the Website is intended for general informational, educational, and organizational purposes unless expressly identified as part of a separate contractual service.
2.5. SUN may modify, suspend, or discontinue Website features, programs, services, or informational content, subject to applicable law and any existing contractual obligations.
3. ELIGIBILITY AND USER RESPONSIBILITIES
3.1. The Website may be accessed by students, prospective members, educational institution representatives, community partners, and members of the general public.
3.2. Individuals seeking membership must satisfy the applicable eligibility, registration, and verification requirements established by SUN.
3.3. Users agree to provide accurate, current, and truthful information when submitting inquiries, registering for membership, or completing transactions.
3.4. Users shall not impersonate another individual, submit fraudulent information, or use another person's payment credentials without authorization.
3.5. Individuals under the age of majority must possess the legal capacity or appropriate authorization required for the transaction or activity they undertake.
3.6. SUN may request reasonable verification of identity, student status, eligibility, or payment authorization where necessary and legally permissible.
4. WEBSITE INQUIRIES AND SUBMISSIONS
4.1. The Website may provide electronic forms for general inquiries, membership inquiries, student support requests, partnerships, sponsorships, careers, volunteering, technical assistance, and other organizational matters.
4.2. Users may be requested to provide their full name, email address, telephone number, educational institution, inquiry category, subject, and message content.
4.3. Submission of an inquiry does not establish membership, representation, entitlement to services, or any guarantee of a particular outcome.
4.4. SUN may assess, categorize, prioritize, and respond to inquiries according to their nature, organizational relevance, urgency, and available resources.
4.5. SUN does not guarantee immediate responses or resolution within any particular timeframe unless expressly agreed otherwise.
4.6. SUN may decline to process submissions that are fraudulent, abusive, unlawful, materially misleading, or unrelated to its organizational mandate, subject to applicable legal obligations.
5. MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION AND VERIFICATION
5.1. SUN may offer paid membership opportunities through the Website, subject to eligibility requirements and organizational procedures.
5.2. Membership registration may require the submission of personal, contact, educational, and other information reasonably necessary to establish eligibility and administer membership.
5.3. Student membership eligibility may be verified by SUN or an authorized SUN Local associated with an eligible educational institution.
5.4. SUN reserves the right to request additional documentation or confirmation reasonably necessary to verify student status, identity, or membership eligibility.
5.5. Submission of a membership application or successful payment does not, by itself, constitute final membership approval or activation.
5.6. Membership becomes effective upon confirmation or activation by SUN in accordance with applicable membership procedures.
5.7. Where an applicant does not satisfy the applicable eligibility requirements, SUN may decline the application and shall arrange an appropriate refund of any membership fee paid for an unapproved application, in accordance with Section 9 and applicable law.
5.8. SUN may establish additional membership rules, procedures, or agreements governing eligibility, renewal, privileges, suspension, and termination. Such requirements shall be communicated as appropriate.
6. MEMBERSHIP FEES AND PRICING
6.1. SUN may charge membership fees in connection with registration, activation, renewal, or participation in designated membership programs.
6.2. Applicable membership fees shall be displayed on the Website or during the electronic checkout process before the purchaser is required to authorize payment.
6.3. SUN reserves the right to establish, revise, increase, or decrease membership fees from time to time, subject to applicable law and any existing contractual commitments.
6.4. Changes to membership fees shall apply prospectively to purchases, registrations, or renewals governed by the revised pricing and shall not retroactively increase charges for completed purchases.
6.5. The total amount payable, including applicable taxes and mandatory charges, shall be disclosed before completion of checkout.
6.6. Membership fees are payable in the currency displayed at checkout. Any currency conversion charges imposed by a card issuer or financial institution are governed by the applicable provider's terms.
6.7. Unless expressly stated otherwise, membership fees are payments for membership privileges or services and shall not be treated as charitable donations. SUN shall issue charitable tax receipts only where legally authorized.
7. ONLINE PAYMENTS AND PAYMENT PROCESSING
7.1. The Website operates using the Shopify e-commerce platform and may facilitate electronic payments through Shopify's checkout infrastructure and authorized payment service providers.
7.2. SUN may accept credit cards, debit cards, and other electronic payment methods made available through the Website's checkout system.
7.3. Available payment methods may vary depending on the payment provider, transaction type, financial institution, jurisdiction, and SUN's payment configuration.
7.4. By submitting a payment, the purchaser authorizes the applicable payment service provider to process the transaction and charge the selected payment method for the total amount disclosed and accepted during checkout.
7.5. Payments may be subject to authorization, verification, fraud prevention, and other processing procedures established by the applicable payment service provider or financial institution.
7.6. SUN may decline, cancel, or withhold completion of a transaction where payment authorization fails, fraud is reasonably suspected, or the transaction cannot lawfully or properly be completed.
7.7. Payment card information entered during checkout is processed through the applicable payment infrastructure. SUN's collection and handling of transaction-related information are further addressed in its Privacy Policy.
7.8. Payment processing may be subject to the terms, security practices, and privacy policies of Shopify, the applicable payment service provider, and the purchaser's financial institution.
7.9. Purchasers are responsible for ensuring that payment details are accurate and that they are authorized to use the selected payment method.
7.10. SUN shall provide or arrange appropriate transaction confirmation or receipts through its designated payment and communication systems, subject to applicable legal requirements.
8. BILLING, RENEWALS, AND PAYMENT AUTHORIZATION
8.1. Membership terms, duration, and applicable billing arrangements shall be disclosed through the relevant membership offering or checkout process.
8.2. A one-time membership purchase shall not, by itself, authorize SUN to initiate future recurring charges.
8.3. Where SUN offers automatically renewing memberships or subscription-based services, the applicable billing frequency, renewal price, cancellation conditions, and recurring payment authorization requirements shall be clearly disclosed before purchase.
8.4. Recurring charges shall only be initiated pursuant to a valid authorization and in accordance with the terms accepted by the purchaser and applicable law.
8.5. Where recurring billing is offered, SUN shall provide an appropriate method for cancelling future renewals and shall disclose the applicable cancellation procedures.
8.6. Cancellation of future recurring billing shall not automatically create an entitlement to a refund of charges already lawfully incurred, except where required by law or the applicable refund terms.
8.7. SUN may modify future membership renewal pricing, subject to applicable notice, consent, and other legal requirements.
8.8. SUN shall not impose undisclosed recurring payment obligations solely on the basis of a previous one-time membership purchase.
9. CANCELLATIONS, REFUNDS, AND PAYMENT DISPUTES
9.1. Membership purchases are subject to SUN's applicable refund and cancellation terms, which shall be made available to purchasers before completion of a transaction.
9.2. Refund eligibility may depend on the circumstances of the purchase, membership approval status, activation, benefits already provided, applicable contractual terms, and any statutory cancellation or refund rights.
9.3. Where SUN rejects a membership application or is unable to provide the membership purchased, SUN shall provide an appropriate refund of the membership fee paid for the unapproved or unavailable membership, subject to applicable law.
9.4. Once membership has been approved and activated, cancellation or refund requests shall be assessed in accordance with the applicable refund policy, membership terms, and legal requirements.
9.5. A decision not to use available membership benefits shall not, by itself, establish an automatic entitlement to a refund, except where required by applicable law or the terms governing the purchase.
9.6. Approved refunds shall generally be processed through the original payment method where reasonably practicable and supported by the relevant payment provider.
9.7. The time required for a refund to appear on a purchaser's account may depend on the payment processor, card issuer, or financial institution.
9.8. Purchasers who believe that a payment was unauthorized, duplicated, incorrectly charged, or otherwise disputed may contact SUN to request review of the transaction.
9.9. Nothing in these Terms restricts a purchaser's lawful right to dispute a payment with a financial institution, request a chargeback, or exercise applicable statutory consumer protection rights.
9.10. SUN may investigate payment disputes and provide relevant transaction records to payment processors, financial institutions, or competent authorities where reasonably necessary and legally permitted.
10. MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS AND SERVICES
10.1. SUN memberships may provide access to designated programs, resources, partner benefits, services, opportunities, or other privileges established by the organization.
10.2. Membership benefits may vary depending on eligibility, membership category, geographic location, participating partners, program availability, and other disclosed conditions.
10.3. SUN does not guarantee that every benefit, program, professional resource, or third-party service will be available to every member at all times.
10.4. Membership benefits may be modified, replaced, expanded, or discontinued, subject to applicable law and any specific contractual commitments made to members.
10.5. Benefits offered by independent third-party providers may be subject to additional terms, eligibility requirements, limitations, or availability restrictions established by those providers.
10.6. SUN shall not represent a membership benefit as guaranteed where its delivery depends on conditions or approvals outside SUN's control.
10.7. Members shall comply with applicable membership policies and shall not misuse, transfer, reproduce, or commercially exploit membership privileges without appropriate authorization.
11. NO PROFESSIONAL ADVICE OR RELATIONSHIP
11.1. Unless expressly stated otherwise and provided by an appropriately authorized professional, Website information does not constitute legal, medical, immigration, financial, insurance, psychological, or other regulated professional advice.
11.2. Website resources, informational materials, referral descriptions, and general communications are not substitutes for individualized advice from appropriately qualified professionals.
11.3. SUN may assist individuals by providing general information, identifying resources, coordinating communications, or facilitating referrals.
11.4. Such assistance does not, by itself, establish a solicitor-client, physician-patient, fiduciary, immigration representative-client, or comparable regulated professional relationship.
11.5. Users remain responsible for seeking appropriate independent professional advice before making consequential decisions.
11.6. Nothing in this Section excludes a legal duty or obligation that SUN may independently owe under applicable law.
12. EMERGENCIES AND TIME-SENSITIVE MATTERS
12.1. The Website, general inquiry forms, and ordinary membership communications are not emergency response systems.
12.2. SUN does not guarantee continuous monitoring, immediate intervention, or responses within a particular timeframe.
12.3. Individuals experiencing immediate threats to safety, medical emergencies, or other urgent circumstances should contact appropriate emergency services.
12.4. Individuals facing court deadlines, immigration deadlines, eviction proceedings, or other time-sensitive matters should promptly consult an appropriately qualified professional or relevant authority.
12.5. Submission of an inquiry or payment of a membership fee does not suspend, extend, or otherwise alter any legal, contractual, judicial, or administrative deadline.
13. THIRD-PARTY SERVICES AND REFERRALS
13.1. SUN may provide information about or facilitate referrals to independent professionals, community organizations, businesses, educational institutions, government agencies, and other service providers.
13.2. Such providers may offer services involving housing, legal assistance, immigration, healthcare, financial matters, transportation, employment, insurance, and other areas of support.
13.3. Unless expressly stated otherwise, third-party services are independently provided and subject to the relevant provider's own terms, fees, eligibility conditions, professional obligations, and privacy policies.
13.4. SUN does not guarantee the qualifications, availability, pricing, performance, suitability, or outcomes of independent third-party providers.
13.5. Any screening or partnership assessment conducted by SUN does not constitute an unconditional guarantee or warranty of a third party's services.
13.6. Users should independently review relevant credentials, costs, contractual arrangements, and service conditions before engaging third-party providers.
13.7. Nothing in this Section excludes liability arising from SUN's own acts, omissions, representations, or legal obligations.
14. ORGANIZATIONAL AFFILIATIONS
14.1. SUN is an independent not-for-profit corporation and may establish relationships with educational institutions, student organizations, community partners, professional service providers, and other entities.
14.2. References to any university, college, educational institution, student association, governmental body, or other organization do not necessarily imply formal affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement, or authorization.
14.3. Formal partnerships, affiliations, recognitions, and organizational relationships shall depend on the arrangements actually established between SUN and the relevant entity.
14.4. Users shall not represent themselves as authorized officers, employees, agents, or official representatives of SUN without appropriate authorization.
15. ACCEPTABLE USE AND PROHIBITED CONDUCT
15.1. Users agree to access and use the Website only for lawful purposes.
15.2. Users shall not knowingly provide fraudulent, false, impersonated, or materially misleading information.
15.3. Users shall not attempt unauthorized access to Website systems, administrative functions, accounts, databases, or information belonging to other individuals.
15.4. Users shall not introduce malicious code, interfere with Website operations, or engage in activities intended to compromise its security or integrity.
15.5. Users shall not use the Website to conduct fraudulent payments, unauthorized transactions, unlawful solicitations, harassment, or other prohibited activities.
15.6. Users shall not reproduce, systematically extract, or commercially exploit substantial portions of Website content without authorization, except as permitted by applicable law.
15.7. SUN may take reasonable measures to investigate and restrict unlawful, fraudulent, or materially abusive conduct, subject to applicable legal requirements.
16. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
16.1. Unless otherwise indicated, Website content, including original text, graphics, logos, designs, organizational materials, and other protected works, is owned by SUN or used under appropriate authorization.
16.2. Applicable copyrights, trademarks, trade names, and other intellectual property rights remain vested in their respective owners.
16.3. Users are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable permission to access and view Website materials for lawful personal, informational, or educational purposes.
16.4. This permission does not authorize unauthorized commercial reproduction, modification, publication, distribution, or exploitation of protected materials.
16.5. The names "Student Union Network," "Student Union Network Inc.," and "SUN," together with associated branding and identifying materials, shall not be used in a manner that falsely implies organizational affiliation, sponsorship, or endorsement.
16.6. Nothing in these Terms restricts any statutory rights or exceptions available under applicable intellectual property legislation.
17. USER-SUBMITTED MATERIALS
17.1. Users may submit inquiries, suggestions, feedback, personal information, and other materials through authorized Website functions.
17.2. Users retain any intellectual property rights they lawfully possess in original materials submitted to SUN.
17.3. By submitting materials, Users authorize SUN to receive, store, review, and use those materials to the extent reasonably necessary to administer the submission and carry out the purposes disclosed at collection.
17.4. Submission of private correspondence does not automatically authorize SUN to publicly reproduce, advertise, or commercially exploit such materials.
17.5. SUN shall obtain appropriate authorization before publicly featuring identifiable personal stories, testimonials, photographs, or other protected submissions where required by applicable law.
18. PRIVACY AND PAYMENT INFORMATION
18.1. SUN collects, uses, discloses, retains, and protects Personal Information in accordance with its Privacy Policy and applicable privacy legislation.
18.2. Information collected in connection with membership registration and purchases may include personal identification information, contact details, educational information, membership eligibility information, billing information, transaction details, and payment status.
18.3. Information necessary to process electronic payments may be transmitted to Shopify and authorized payment processors in accordance with applicable payment processing arrangements.
18.4. SUN and its service providers shall take reasonable measures, appropriate to their respective responsibilities, to safeguard Personal Information and transaction-related information.
18.5. Independent payment service providers may process payment information in accordance with their own applicable privacy policies and legal obligations.
18.6. SUN's Privacy Policy is available through the Website and provides additional information concerning data collection, disclosure, retention, security, and individual privacy rights.
18.7. Nothing in these Terms diminishes obligations imposed upon SUN by applicable privacy legislation.
19. ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS
19.1. SUN may communicate with Users and members through the contact information supplied during inquiries, registration, purchases, or other authorized interactions.
19.2. Such communications may include purchase confirmations, payment receipts, membership verification requests, activation notices, service updates, and other communications reasonably necessary to administer an inquiry or membership.
19.3. Where SUN sends commercial electronic messages subject to Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation, SUN shall comply with applicable consent, identification, and unsubscribe requirements.
19.4. Completion of a membership purchase does not automatically constitute express consent to receive unrelated commercial electronic messages.
19.5. Individuals may withdraw consent to applicable promotional communications using the provided unsubscribe process or by contacting SUN.
20. WEBSITE ACCURACY AND INFORMATION
20.1. SUN endeavours to maintain accurate, relevant, and reasonably current information on the Website.
20.2. Website content may contain typographical errors, omissions, outdated references, technical inaccuracies, or incomplete descriptions.
20.3. Information concerning programs, membership benefits, eligibility, partnerships, funding, prices, legal requirements, and third-party services may change.
20.4. SUN may correct, update, or remove Website information where reasonably necessary.
20.5. Users are encouraged to independently verify information relevant to important legal, financial, medical, immigration, educational, or other consequential decisions.
20.6. Nothing in this Section limits SUN's obligations concerning accurate pricing, truthful representations, or mandatory transaction disclosures.
21. WEBSITE AVAILABILITY AND WARRANTIES
21.1. SUN endeavours to maintain reasonable Website accessibility, functionality, and security.
21.2. SUN does not guarantee uninterrupted Website operation, error-free functionality, or continuous availability of electronic systems.
21.3. Website access may be affected by maintenance, infrastructure changes, cybersecurity incidents, payment processing interruptions, or circumstances beyond SUN's reasonable control.
21.4. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, general Website content and functionality are provided on an "as available" basis.
21.5. SUN does not guarantee that general Website information will produce any particular educational, employment, financial, legal, immigration, or personal outcome.
21.6. Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits mandatory statutory warranties, express contractual commitments, or other legal obligations that cannot lawfully be excluded.
22. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
22.1. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, SUN shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, or consequential losses arising from use of or inability to use the Website where liability for such losses may lawfully be excluded.
22.2. This limitation may include loss of anticipated opportunities, business interruption, or economic losses arising from reliance upon general Website information, to the extent legally permissible.
22.3. SUN shall not be liable solely by reason of providing a hyperlink, referral, or introduction to an independent third-party service provider for losses caused exclusively by that provider's independent acts or omissions, except where SUN bears legal responsibility.
22.4. SUN does not guarantee approval of membership applications, availability of benefits, acceptance into programs, or successful outcomes involving independent organizations.
22.5. Nothing in these Terms shall exclude or limit liability for fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, wilful misconduct, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or restricted.
22.6. Nothing in these Terms shall restrict mandatory consumer protection rights or remedies relating to electronic payments, purchases, or membership transactions.
23. INDEMNIFICATION
23.1. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Users agree to indemnify SUN against reasonable third-party claims, losses, damages, and expenses directly arising from their intentional unlawful conduct, fraudulent transactions, or material misuse of the Website in violation of these Terms.
23.2. Any indemnification obligation shall be limited to losses legally attributable to the User's conduct.
23.3. Users shall not be required under this Section to indemnify SUN for losses arising from SUN's own negligence, unlawful conduct, or breach of an independent legal duty.
23.4. Nothing in this Section overrides mandatory legal rights or protections.
24. MEMBERSHIP SUSPENSION AND TERMINATION
24.1. SUN may establish reasonable rules governing membership conduct, eligibility, privileges, suspension, and termination.
24.2. Membership may be suspended or terminated where there is a lawful and sufficient basis, including material misrepresentation, fraudulent registration, misuse of membership privileges, or a material breach of applicable membership requirements.
24.3. Where appropriate, SUN may conduct a reasonable review before imposing membership restrictions or termination, subject to applicable governing documents, procedures, and legal requirements.
24.4. Suspension or termination of membership shall not automatically extinguish accrued statutory rights, payment dispute rights, or other legally enforceable entitlements.
24.5. Refunds or other financial adjustments arising from membership termination shall be assessed in accordance with applicable membership terms, SUN's refund policy, and applicable law.
24.6. Restriction of Website access shall not, by itself, constitute termination of an otherwise valid membership unless authorized under the applicable membership arrangements.
25. AMENDMENTS TO THESE TERMS
25.1. SUN may amend, revise, or replace these Terms periodically to reflect changes in Website operations, membership programs, electronic commerce practices, organizational activities, or applicable laws.
25.2. Revised Terms shall be published on the Website with an updated effective date or last-updated date.
25.3. Changes affecting future transactions, memberships, or renewals shall be communicated and implemented in accordance with applicable notice, consent, and consumer protection requirements.
25.4. Amendments shall not retroactively alter completed transactions or extinguish accrued contractual or statutory rights where prohibited by applicable law.
25.5. Where renewed acceptance is legally required, SUN shall obtain appropriate acceptance before applying the relevant changes.
26. GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
26.1. These Terms shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, subject to any mandatory laws that apply notwithstanding this choice of law.
26.2. Subject to applicable statutory rights and mandatory jurisdictional requirements, disputes arising from these Terms or the Website may be brought before courts of competent jurisdiction in Ontario, Canada.
26.3. Users are encouraged, but not required, to contact SUN to seek informal resolution of concerns before commencing formal proceedings.
26.4. Nothing in these Terms prevents Users from exercising statutory rights or pursuing proceedings before a court, tribunal, regulator, or other competent authority.
27. GENERAL PROVISIONS
27.1. Severability. If any provision of these Terms is determined to be unlawful, invalid, or unenforceable, that provision shall be severed or limited to the extent legally permissible, and the remaining provisions shall continue in effect.
27.2. No Waiver. Failure by SUN to enforce a provision shall not constitute a waiver of its right to enforce that provision in the future.
27.3. Entire Agreement. These Terms govern general Website use and Website transactions, together with any applicable purchase disclosures, refund policies, supplemental notices, and separately binding membership agreements.
27.4. Separate Agreements. Where a separate agreement governs a particular service, transaction, or membership entitlement, that agreement shall govern its specific subject matter, subject to applicable law.
27.5. Interpretation. Section headings are included for convenience and shall not alter the substantive interpretation of these Terms.
27.6. Statutory Rights. Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts, or waives any statutory protection or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded, restricted, or waived.
28. CONTACT INFORMATION
28.1. Questions, concerns, membership inquiries, billing disputes, cancellation requests, or other matters relating to these Terms may be directed to:
Student Union Network Inc.
Ontario, Canada
Website: www.studentunions.ca
Email: contact@studentunions.ca
28.2. SUN shall review communications received through its designated contact channels and respond as appropriate in accordance with applicable laws and organizational procedures.