Safe for What? Universities and the controversy over safe spaces

“I always thought that, as a researcher, if I based my arguments on rigorous research and had the facts on my side, that would be enough. Now, I’m not so sure. For the first time in my professional life, I’m afraid of the consequences for speaking out.”

We write to you out of concern for what is happening on many of Canada’s university and college campuses in relation to expression about the war between Israel and Palestine.

When York University adopted its Freedom of Expression policy in 2018, it trumpeted its commitment to freedom of expression as an institutional commitment of the highest priority.