Justice Committee on May 27th, 2024

[Prof. Meric Gertler]

Madam Chair, I want to thank the member for his question. I can answer it in a couple of ways.

First of all, our code of student conduct indeed notes that vexatious conduct directed at one or more specific individuals is potentially evidence of discriminatory conduct or harassment. It names race, ancestry, ethnic origin, colour, religion and these kinds of traits, which are straight out of the Ontario Human Rights Code. It takes that approach, rather than naming individual faiths, religions or cultures, so it's meant to be all inclusive.

Another way of answering the member's question would be to note that directly as a result of the work of our anti-Semitism working group, we have reviewed and overhauled our EDI process to make sure that our equity policies explicitly recognize anti-Semitism as a form of discrimination, harassment or hate. We have trained all of our equity officers expressly to address these issues.

I could say more, but I think that directly answers the member's question.

[Randall Garrison, NDP, Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke, BC]

Thank you for that answer.

As a gay man of a certain age who used to be told there was no need to list the LGBT community and things because discrimination was illegal, I found things improved once there was an explicit reference.

What I would encourage the U of T to do is make more explicit statements rather than simply say all forms of discrimination are prohibited, because the one that has an epidemic of discrimination going on right now is anti-Semitism. Given the connection—

[Prof. Meric Gertler]

We have indeed made such statements and will continue to do so if and as necessary.

[Randall Garrison, NDP, Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke, BC]

In terms of equity programs on campus, are Jews explicitly included as groups within diversity and equity?

[Prof. Meric Gertler]

Yes.

[Randall Garrison, NDP, Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke, BC]

There's a specific reference, not just a general reference.

[Prof. Meric Gertler]

Yes. It's specific. Absolutely.

[Randall Garrison, NDP, Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke, BC]

Okay. Thank you.

I'll now go to Professor Saini from McGill.

I have the same kinds of questions. Where in McGill's policies, if at all, does it specifically say that anti-Semitism is not acceptable as a form of harassment or discrimination on campus?

[Prof. Deep Saini]

Madam Chair, I'll answer the member's question through you.

We apply our student code with respect to discrimination, hate, bullying, harassment or any other offensive behaviour that is targeted at specific groups based on their race, religion, background or circumstance, etc. It's much like how my colleague at the University of Toronto described it. Our policies fully cover all forms of hate against all communities.

Lately, as anti-Semitism has become much more obvious and explicit in our society, including on our campuses, we have been calling it out specifically. We will certainly look, going forward, at whether any changes are needed and where we need to explicitly enshrine any particular groups within our EDI policies or discrimination policies.

[Randall Garrison, NDP, Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke, BC]

In terms of policies on equity, diversity and inclusion, are Jews specifically included in those policies as they exist right now?

[Prof. Deep Saini]

I believe they are, but I will have to verify it one more time to make sure that my personal understanding of it is correct. I can get back to the committee.

[Randall Garrison, NDP, Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke, BC]

The focus has always been on students here, but we know that many faculty have been engaged in the encampments and in other anti-Semitic activities on campus.

Because I have you here right now, Professor Saini, are there policies that would apply to faculty which are explicit in banning anti-Semitism or not?

[Prof. Deep Saini]

Madam Chair, answering through you, the answer is yes. If any faculty are found to be violating any of our policies with regard to hate and discrimination, including anti-Semitism, our policies are adequate to account for that, and proceedings will be taken against those individuals.

[Randall Garrison, NDP, Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke, BC]

Thank you.

I'll turn to those in the room.

For Dr. Bacon from my alma mater, UBC, I have the same kind of question. Are things actually made explicit when it comes to anti-Semitism and harassment and discrimination policies?

[Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon]

Yes. Indeed, our discrimination policy outlines the mechanisms to address any discrimination that is protected under the human rights code, very much including race, religion and place of origin, and the policy is interpreted in a manner consistent with how B.C.'s courts and the human rights tribunal interpret—

[The Chair, Liberal, Lena Metlege Diab]

I'm sorry. The time is up for this one.

Now I will go to the second round.

You have five minutes, please, MP Lantsman.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I'm going to continue with President Carr.

Are you aware of the demand letter sent by Neil Oberman to the university speaking about hatred on campus?

[Dr. Graham Carr]

Yes, I am.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

We have established that you are aware that anti-Semitism is a problem on Concordia's campus and that there have been incidents of violence. You called them “a black eye” for Concordia. I would call it absolutely abhorrent and unacceptable and an abdication of responsibility to keep Jewish students safe, but I think that's just a disagreement.

Are you aware that there are groups on campus that promote hatred against Jews?

[Dr. Graham Carr]

Which groups are you referring to?

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

I can name one, SPHR.

[Dr. Graham Carr]

SPHR is a group on campus. It's important to understand that under the Quebec law, student associations act independently of the university.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

If any of those groups are causing chaos on campus, which you referred to in your opening statements as a blemish on Concordia, is there no responsibility for a university president or the administration on any of that?

[Dr. Graham Carr]

I did not say that. In fact, what I said in my opening statement is that we've worked very hard to keep channels of communication open with all student groups, including with SPHR. Our goal has been to work to prevent episodes from happening on campus and to work to the extent possible to de-escalate episodes when they do happen.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Let me ask you about the November 8 incident that you talked about in your opening statement. There's a student there. He's in his eighth year of his undergrad. Has that student been expelled or suspended based on, frankly, being arrested twice since October 7?