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CTV News
a day ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Tom Mulcair: Quebec government's lack of moral compass on human rights is affecting campus life
Quebec Premier Francois Legault speaks at a news conference marking the end of the spring session at his office in Quebec City on June 6, 2025 THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot Tom Mulcair is a former leader of the federal New Democratic Party of Canada between 2012 and 2017, and a columnist for A recent report by Quebec's Ministry of Higher Education has assessed reported cases of discrimination and intimidation at two of Quebec's junior colleges (CEGEPs). The inquiry focused on activities at Vanier and Dawson Colleges, taking place against the backdrop of renewed conflict in the Middle East—specifically, the war between Israel and Hamas. The report followed an investigation involving dozens of interviews with relevant stakeholders. Its goal was to determine whether campus activities raised concerns about students' physical or psychological safety. It details a litany of institutional failures in handling complaints and highlights what appears to be clear bias. It's worth noting that both colleges are anglophone. In Quebec, the most intense university protest related to the war occurred at McGill. It appears that closer linguistic and cultural ties with protests in the U.S. and the rest of Canada have heightened tensions on Quebec's English-language campuses in particular. Alarmed by reports of politicization and polarization of campus life—from lectures to student clubs to prayer rooms—Minister Pascale Déry launched an independent investigation under the direction of her department. Déry was sharply criticized by teachers' unions and some commentators for initiating the inquiry, with critics arguing it was an attack on academic freedom. Some of those unions also support the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. Pascale Dery Quebec Minister for higher Education Pascale Dery responds to the Opposition during question period at the legislature in Quebec City on Jan. 30, 2025 THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot The BDS movement itself is highly controversial and widely regarded as central to efforts aimed at denying Israel's right to exist. Unions, like all actors in society, are entitled to freedom of expression. What's troubling is that the unions' positions appear to have influenced their responses to the inquiry. Jewish teachers who have felt targeted or discriminated against because of campus activities have told me they believe their unions failed to respond fairly—due, in part, to anti-Israel bias. The criticism aimed at Minister Déry, especially from unions, escalated quickly. While framed as a defence of academic freedom, the real impact was an attempt to intimidate the minister into abandoning the investigation. Déry, however, remained resolute. This newly released report validates her concerns. For example, it cites a planned walkout at the two colleges that urged students to protest in order 'to demand Minister Déry resign from her position, as she abuses her power as Minister of Higher Education for the Zionist agenda.' One student newspaper published a caricature that it acknowledged was anti-Semitic but refused to publish opposing viewpoints submitted by other students. The report underscores that freedom of assembly and freedom of expression are protected Charter rights. But it also makes clear that campus rules designed to ensure student safety were ignored. One key finding is that the important principle of academic freedom is being invoked in various ways—sometimes to justify actions that are otherwise indefensible. It's also significant that Minister Déry is the only Jewish member of Quebec's cabinet. The attacks on her actions quickly became pointed and personal, with repeated calls for her resignation. These criticisms came dangerously close to linking her decisions on Middle East matters to her faith. To her credit, Déry has never publicly raised that aspect. But the implication hangs heavily over this controversy. Premier François Legault has, to date, defended her. One cannot assess this situation in isolation from Quebec's openly discriminatory laws targeting religious minorities and the English-speaking community. Legault's CAQ government has not hesitated to use religion and language as political tools. It should come as no surprise that such divisive tactics at the top are now being mirrored on campus. But that is no excuse. The absence of a moral compass at the highest level of government has trickled down to institutions. In lacking a coherent approach to rights, Legault is left pleading: Do as I say, not as I do. When colleges fail to uphold and defend rights, they are just as culpable as the government. The just-released ministerial report provides a reasoned and balanced analysis of these divisive events. Still, meaningful change is far more difficult when the government itself exploits religious and linguistic differences for political gain. McGill University, student protest An encampment set up by pro-Palestinian student activists is seen on McGill University campus in Montreal on April 29, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi Recently, Legault's CAQ government targeted two English-language universities, McGill and Concordia, slashing their funding and imposing new language requirements. The justification? That too much English was being heard in the streets of Montreal. (Legault's own office is literally across the street from McGill's Roddick Gates.) In a recent decision, Quebec's Superior Court dismissed that rationale, finding no evidence to support a threat to the French language. It struck down the budgetary rules that targeted the anglophone institutions. In a stunning turn, it was Minister Déry who announced that, although the government would not appeal the ruling—it would ignore it. Legault plans to reintroduce the discriminatory rules using a new pretext, now that the 'threat to French' argument has been legally discredited. Such a move is unprecedented in a democracy governed by the rule of law. Telling CEGEPs they aren't respecting rules intended to protect their communities becomes a textbook case of the pot calling the kettle black. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is meant to protect all Canadians, from coast to coast to coast. Over 40 years old, its application remains uneven across provinces. The greatest threat to its integrity is the increasing use of the 'notwithstanding clause,' which continues to erode its intended purpose. That clause—introduced as a compromise to bring hesitant provinces onboard with constitutional repatriation in 1982—allows legislatures to declare certain laws operative even if they violate Charter rights. Doug Ford's Progressive Conservative government used the clause to override Charter protections and impose back-to-work legislation on CUPE education workers. While Ford initially vowed to use it again, public backlash in Ontario led him to repeal the law. In Saskatchewan, Premier Scott Moe invoked the clause in legislation affecting LGBTQ+ students after a court struck it down. But nowhere is the clause used more freely than in Quebec. The Supreme Court has held that provinces may invoke it preemptively—even before a law is challenged in court. In fact, Quebec's Court of Appeal has ruled that courts may not even comment on whether such legislation is discriminatory. The notwithstanding clause can be used without test or justification. Emboldened by this, Premier Legault has described it as the 'parliamentary sovereignty clause'—clearly stating that elected officials, not judges, will decide what rights citizens have—or don't have. Predictably, this has created a chilling environment where even challenging discriminatory laws like Bill 21 (religion) or Bill 96 (language) is cast as an attack on Quebec itself. The same goes for the blanket invocation of 'academic freedom.' The message: nothing to see here—move along. If we've decided to discriminate, it's nobody's business. It's protected by the academic version of the notwithstanding clause. Quebec's Bill 21 targets religious minorities broadly, and Muslim women in particular. It is finally headed to the Supreme Court. Legault is already preparing to frame any ruling against it as an attack on Quebec—and by extension, an attack by the federal government. Despite the deeply troubling motives behind the law, don't count on the Supreme Court to overturn it. The Charter, riddled with exceptions, cannot easily be interpreted to say what it doesn't explicitly state. For now, the only cost of invoking the notwithstanding clause is political, not legal. That deterred Doug Ford—but not Scott Moe or François Legault. Balancing competing rights is the duty of legislatures and courts alike. The report reminds us that this same responsibility now falls on college administrators—many of whom may not have the training or experience to navigate such complex terrain. In today's world of instant images, instant reactions, and instant judgment, there's less and less space for thoughtful deliberation. When complex concepts like academic freedom are used to justify actions that generate fear among students or staff, it's time to step back. Wise, informed counsel is rare—but more necessary than ever. In her reaction to the report, Minister Dery speaks of 'very troubling facts that bring to light a series of failures that have profoundly undermined the climate on both campuses, stoked tensions and weakened the ability to live together.' She expresses her government's resolve to deal with divisive behaviour and adds that 'attending an educational institution that is healthy and safe is not a privilege, it's a right.' No one can disagree with that. Dery leaves the door open as to possible government actions and wisely invites the colleges themselves to take steps to correct the situation, failing which the government reserves the right to act in their place. This is a delicate balancing act since the report also says that in the Quebec government's view, a part of the problem is that Bill 21, that targets religious minorities, isn't fully respected on those college campuses. If living together and avoiding divisions is the goal, Quebec also has to ask itself whether it hasn't helped give rise to those very divisions with its own discriminatory actions.
CTV News
06-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
UPEI installs life-saving AEDs to enhance campus safety
Pictured is the sign at University of Prince Edward Island. (Jack Morse/CTV Atlantic) The University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) installed 18 new automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to enhance campus safety, said a university news release. Every building on campus now has at least device that can be deployed in an emergency. The manager of UPEI Health, Safety, and Environment said the initiative empowers the campus community to take swift action when it matters most. 'In emergencies where every second counts, having immediate access to AEDs can make the difference between life and death,' said Liz Rostant MacArthur. The total number of AEDs on campus is now 35, the university said, with two or more units in large buildings or high-traffic areas. Mobile AEDs are located in the announcer buildings at Alumni Canada Games Place and the Artificial Turf Field, and campus security are equipped with two mobile AEDs. AEDs are used to treat sudden cardiac arrest. When used in combination with CPR, they can increase survival rates by 75 per cent, the release said. AEDs include voice-prompts and step-by-step instructions so anyone can use them, even without a medical background. For more P.E.I. news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
Bloomberg
22-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
US Says Harvard Can No Longer Enroll International Students
Good morning. Harvard is being forced to halt international student enrollments. Xiaomi takes a big tech leap. And the Cannes crowd can't quite comprehend the US president's threatened tariffs. Listen to the day's top stories. The Trump Administration escalated its fight with Harvard University by ordering the institution to stop enrolling international students, saying its leaders allowed protests to create an 'unsafe campus environment.' Current foreign students—almost 27% of the university's population—must transfer or lose their legal status, authorities said. The move deals a fresh blow to the school, months after the government froze billions of dollars in federal funding. Harvard called the latest action unlawful and said it's 'working quickly to provide guidance and support.'
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
FSU students return home to Atlanta for the summer as they heal following shooting
It's been one month since a deadly shooting unfolded on Florida State University's campus, after police say gunman Phoenix Ikner opened fire outside the student union. Over 300 miles from home, FSU student and Marist graduate Luke Waugh says it was just by chance that he wasn't in the middle of it all. 'I had an 11:35 a.m. environmental science class, and I had never missed it before… but I overslept my alarm,' Waugh told Channel 2's Brittany Kleinpeter. Had Waugh attended class that day, he would've been just feet away from where the first shot was fired at 11:56 a.m. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] 'I really just took it as a sign from God, personally,' he added. Fellow Marist graduate and FSU freshman Rush Williams had been in the area shortly before the shooting. 'I got a call from another Marist kid who was locked out of his classroom, so I checked my phone immediately—and I saw the alert from FSU,' said Williams. Williams said he returned home to Atlanta within hours of the shooting. 'It was good to come back and decompress when it first happened,' said Williams. Eight people were shot that day, and two were killed. In the days that followed, these students say the community rallied around one another. Marist graduate Charlie Lamm was a part of making that happen. TRENDING STORIES: 4 charged with murder after shooting in Walton County Parents sue after they say 6-year-old daughter was racially attacked at school: 'It's disturbing' Cobb Co. teacher, wife accused of denying their children food and bathroom, confining them 'We were able to host a big BBQ with about 1,200 students and a bunch of first responders… just to bring the community together and show what it was really all about,' said Lamm. Through donations raised at the BBQ, Lamm and his Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity brothers were able to raise hundreds of dollars for the victims and their families. 'I just felt like what happened is really something no one should ever experience,' added Lamm. As the Atlanta graduates spend time at home healing this summer, they agree that it's the unity they felt on campus in the aftermath that has them ready to return. 'Obviously, it's a big school—there are 30,000 undergraduates—but it felt a lot smaller in the days after the shooting,' said Williams. 'Seeing something like that happen at a place where I'm always at is very eye-opening… It's like you need to enjoy the time you have and be thankful for everything you have,' added Lamm. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
