Gong announces candidacy in TMU Board of Governors election

Xiao Hua “Edward” Gong made his intention to run for the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Board of Governors public last night via a social media post accompanied by a livestream. 

The campaign announcement was made on Instagram with the caption, “Going, Going, Gong? Not yet! # 44 on the ballot will be returning to claim another victory at the University of Toronto!” 

The post was taken down shortly after and re-uploaded with a correction, specifying that Gong was in fact running for the TMU Board of Governors. 

In the livestream Gong and his gubernatorial aides outlined his campaign platform, which focuses on re-shaping TMU’s finances into “a more triangular shape” and bolstering diversity efforts in the metaverse. 

“I am here to rescue Toronto Metropolitan University,” Gong said, summarizing his platform. 

Gong also promised to construct a new residence building, Edward Living Complex, partially funded by his company, Edward Enterprise International Group Inc. 

Gong’s name has yet to be added to the list of candidates and it is unclear whether or not he will appear on the ballot. TMU’s Board of Governors is solely composed of staff, students and alumni which Gong is not. 

“While no physical records exist of Gong being a TMU student, who’s to say he’s not one at heart?” said a spokesperson for Gong. 

TMU has yet to respond to these claims.