Academic Freedom
The Issue
Academic freedom at Canada’s post-secondary institutions is being seriously undermined. A significant proportion of university and college academic staff are being hired into contingent positions lacking the job security that makes protection of academic freedom feasible. In response to chronic underfunding, universities have agreed to fundraising deals and collaborative projects that compromise academic integrity and academic freedom. Universities are actively implementing codes of conduct and respectful workplace policies that attempt to regulate speech permissible under Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Why It Matters
The public mission of the university is to advance and disseminate knowledge, educate students, and encourage critical thinking and free expression. These ends cannot be achieved without academic freedom.
Our Work
The Centre engages in public education about the nature and importance of academic freedom. It highlights current threats and works to ensure that academic freedom rights are extended to all academic staff.
Blog Post: Kudos to University of Alberta President for Strong Defence of Academic Integrity In Face of Fierce Onslaught
At a time when academic freedom and university integrity are under widespread attack, University of Alberta President David Turpin has courageously defended the university as an institution founded
By James L Turk
Blog Post: Campus Speech and the Inflation of Harm
There’s more interest in campus free expression than we have seen since the Great Student Revolts of 1968, or even further back in the last century, in the
News: Sheldon Levy: Why I defended freedom of speech on campus
Toronto Star / January 26 – Writing in the Toronto Star, Sheldon Levy, past-president of Ryerson University, describes the university president’s challenge in defending freedom of expression on campus and why it is essential for universities and beyond.
Blog Post: (Free) Speech on Campus
In the general public sphere, expression is subject to relatively few legal restrictions. Canadian law includes ‘content’ restrictions on obscenity, hate speech, defamation, and false advertising.
By Richard Moon
Blog Post: University Speech Codes and the Wounds of White Fragility
(Co-written with Anver Emon, Professor of Law, University of Toronto)
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