Academic Freedom at Canadian Universities Threatened as Schools Police Speech on Gaza, Canadian Organization for Faculty Associations Warns

 

Association representing 70,000 academic professionals says teachers and students are facing repercussions for speaking out about Gaza

Universities across Canada have adopted a policy of supposed “institutional neutrality” when it comes to the ongoing genocide in Gaza, but their actions reflect efforts to quell dissent says the association representing 70,000 professors and academic professionals. 

The Canadian Association of University Teachers, a national organization representing teachers, librarians, researchers, general staff and other academic professionals across Canada, says academic freedom at Canadian universities is being violated by “institutional neutrality” policies that are impacting the ability of professors and other academic professionals to exercise their rights to free expression. 

Although CAUT President Peter McInnis says threats to academic freedom on university campuses are not necessarily new, university administrators are making a more deliberate effort to dodge “difficult” conversations – ones that would be fitting for places of education. 

“The idea of challenging things regarding human rights is always going to be contentious, but it speaks to the need to (protect) academic freedom,” McInnis told PressProgress. 

“I think this is a test of how willing we are as a society to engage in these difficult conversations and if not at universities or colleges, where would this be held?”  (more...)

Academic Freedom at Canadian Universities Threatened as Schools Police Speech on Gaza, Canadian Organization for Faculty Associations Warns