PCs want encampments gone
Post-secondary education minister urges schools to clear demonstrators
Ontario’s post-secondary education minister is concerned about encampments at universities and doesn’t want upcoming graduations to be hindered by the ongoing protests.
“I want to ensure that all students and faculty are safe,” Colleges and Universities Minister Jill Dunlop said at Queen’s Park on Thursday.
“We’re approaching graduation season, and I don’t want to see families intimidated and not attending graduation because this situation is happening,” she told reporters.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators set up tents on the University of Toronto’s downtown campus. Similar protests are taking place at the University of Ottawa, Western University and McMaster University.
Echoing comments by Premier Doug Ford on Monday, Dunlop said it’s time for schools to do something, noting they “had a very strong statement early on that (encampments) would be considered trespassing … and that action would be taken. I think we’re at the point where we need to end the encampments.”
Dunlop said she spoke with the president of U of T Wednesday night, and expressed “my concern for what we’re seeing on campuses. I want to know what the plan is to end the encampment … The premier and myself have been very clear that we’re not supportive of encampments on campuses.”
While the provincial government provides some funding to universities, they are autonomous.
In a statement, a U of T spokesperson said the school “appreciates the call from Minister Dunlop and the opportunity to update her and her office again on the situation at the encampment. As detailed in our messages to the university community, our goal is to find a peaceful conclusion to the unauthorized encampment on King’s College Circle as quickly as possible, without the risk of violent confrontation or physical injury.”
The spokesperson added that “we anticipate that convocation will proceed as planned. We are doing everything we can to ensure our graduates can celebrate with their loved ones.”
On Monday, Ford said parents are worried about harassment and bullying on campuses because of the protests, and called the situation “unacceptable.”
Universities “need to move them on,” he said, adding he’s seen some “nasty stuff” and that hate speech won’t be tolerated.
The encampments are the latest events during the seven-month war in the Middle East to spark debate over the lines between free speech and intimidation, and over Canadian connections to Israel during a conflict that has seen thousands killed and a humanitarian disaster emerging in the Gaza Strip.
Demonstrators say they are protesting the actions of a foreign government and are demanding schools cut ties with Israel. Critics say those actions have spilled over into antisemitism here at home.
U of T has said it has concerns about “language that is threatening, hateful and discriminatory” and has reported those allegations, along with accusations of assaults, to Toronto police.
New Democrat MPP Peggy Sattler, her party’s post-secondary critic, said “peaceful protest are a vital part of our democracy. University campuses have always been protected spaces that promote free speech and the free exchange of ideas, and we support the students’ right to voice their opinions through peaceful direct action.”
Stattler added that if hate-related incidents are taking place, universities should follow any existing policies to address individual student conduct.