The Student Representative Assembly unanimously motions to oppose dictate from MTCU

October 23, 2018 at 15:00 pm

On August 30, 2018 the government of Ontario, via the Office of the Premier, issued a dictate that the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) will require all publicly funded PSE institutions to create and adopt a campus level “free speech policy” by January of 2019. Failing to do so would incur a potential (undefined) cut to respective operating budgets. In addition, the same dictate included language that suggests institutions should force student groups into a similar policy, lest the institution withhold status, recognition, or financial support to non-conforming student groups.

Such a threat to was obviously concerning to students who say there is no free speech crises at McMaster and are worried about what such a policy would entail. Following months of consultation with students, student groups, and student activists, it was clear to student leaders that there was a multitude of opinions and perspectives on the topic, as one would expected on campus of nearly 23,000 undergraduate students. With those perspectives in mind, the Student Representative Assembly (SRA) unanimously passed a motion on October 14, 2018 reflective of the predominant student opinion that the provincial government is creating an unnecessary and ill-planned “Free Speech Policy" at post-secondary institutions in Ontario.

The Charter of Rights and Freedoms definitively protects the freedoms of speech and expression of all Canadians. There is no threat to free speech on university campuses. Students are concerned that the provincial government will demand that universities formulate a “Free Speech Policy” that is not in the interest, nor reflective of society. Within the MSU, for example, there is a range of political, social and religious viewpoints expressed through nearly three dozen student services and over 350 student clubs.

University is a place for learning, unlearning, and discourse. These processes function both inside and out of the classroom environment. There is a concern amongst students that the stated intent of a policy meant to “uphold” free speech will give way to a mechanism that in practice will be used to undermine dialogue and demonstrations against racism, ableism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, Islamophobia, and anti-Semitism. The MSU has and will continue to condemn hate speech. Asking the provincial government to reflect on the need for this policy, due to the risk it presents to racialized and marginalized students, is a logical extension of the desire to promote a campus free of hatred.

To that effect, the Student Representative Assembly unanimously pass the following motion:

Moved by Ikram Farah, seconded by Stephanie Bertolo that the following statement be adopted:

Whereas The Charter of Rights and Freedoms - the supreme law of Canada - protects the freedoms of speech and expression in all aspects of Canadian society, including Ontario campuses;

Whereas the Student Representative Assembly does not believe there are barriers to the freedoms of speech or expression on the campus of McMaster University;

Whereas reasonable limits to freedom of speech, such as hate speech, are clearly defined in Canadian law and do not require a campus-level policy;

Whereas the Student Representative Assembly believes the government of Ontario may attempt to use the guise of freedom of speech to inhibit lawful, constructive dissent and/or opposition to ideas, speakers, or groups on university campuses;

Whereas the Student Representative Assembly believes the government of Ontario may attempt to infringe on the autonomy of student organizations, and restrict the expression of university instructors across the province, through the guise of protecting free speech;

Whereas the Student Representative Assembly is concerned that the guise of free speech will be used as a tool by white supremacists to effectively limit the expression of dissent, counterargument, discourse, and protest by marginalized and racialized students;

Whereas the Student Representative Assembly recognizes the authority of the province to enact post-secondary policy under section 93 of the Constitution;

Whereas there appears to have been no consultation on the part of the province with students, student advocacy organizations, or universities on the matter of requiring post-secondary institutions to develop and implement a “free speech policy” by January 1, 2019 – under threat of funding cuts to respective operating budgets;

Be in resolved that:

The McMaster Students Union opposes the dictate from the Ministry of Training, Colleges and University demanding post-secondary institutions comply with an arbitrary January 1, 2019 deadline to institute a campus level “free speech policy”, and asks the government to withdraw the directive.

Moreover, in order to continue evolving the world class educational experience of McMaster University, by virtue of fostering more rich and positive discussions on campus, additional training and resources be provided to professors and teaching assistants in terms of both anti-oppressive practices, as well as the tools to foster and encourage debate along difficult or controversial points of discussion.



For more information, please contact:

Ikram Farah

President

president@msu.mcmaster.ca

905-525-9140 ext. 23885