Students march with thousands to call for independent public inquiry into G20 Summit security
TORONTO, July 10 /CNW/ - Student, labour and community organisations together representing millions of Canadians marched through Toronto today to demand an independent public inquiry into the suppression of civil liberties by security forces during the G20 Summit in Toronto. With a price-tag of nearly $2 billion, the security response led to the largest mass arrest in Canadian history.
"Students deeply believe in our freedoms of expression and assembly, as guaranteed by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms," said Hamid Osman, Ontario Representative of the Canadian Federation of Students. "The suppression of civil liberties during the G20 Summit was extreme and students add their voices to the chorus of voices demanding an independent public inquiry."
Security operations were carried out by the Integrated Security Unit, which was comprised of security forces from all three tiers of government. Since the Summit, questions have been raised about the chain of command and what role was played by both Premier Dalton McGuinty and Prime Minister Stephen Harper in directing the security response.
"Tens of thousands of people demonstrated peacefully to demand action be taken by the world's most powerful leaders on climate change, global poverty, maternal health, Indigenous peoples' rights and the privatisation of education," said Osman. "Despite our rights to express ourselves and raise important concerns, many of us had our rights stripped away, and were subjected to police violence and arbitrary detention."
Solidarity rallies for an independent public inquiry were held in cities across Canada including Halifax, Kingston, Windsor and Montreal. Further rallies are planned on July 17 in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver.
The Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario unites more than 300,000 college and university students studying at public post-secondary institutions across the province.
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"Students deeply believe in our freedoms of expression and assembly, as guaranteed by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms," said Hamid Osman, Ontario Representative of the Canadian Federation of Students. "The suppression of civil liberties during the G20 Summit was extreme and students add their voices to the chorus of voices demanding an independent public inquiry."
Security operations were carried out by the Integrated Security Unit, which was comprised of security forces from all three tiers of government. Since the Summit, questions have been raised about the chain of command and what role was played by both Premier Dalton McGuinty and Prime Minister Stephen Harper in directing the security response.
"Tens of thousands of people demonstrated peacefully to demand action be taken by the world's most powerful leaders on climate change, global poverty, maternal health, Indigenous peoples' rights and the privatisation of education," said Osman. "Despite our rights to express ourselves and raise important concerns, many of us had our rights stripped away, and were subjected to police violence and arbitrary detention."
Solidarity rallies for an independent public inquiry were held in cities across Canada including Halifax, Kingston, Windsor and Montreal. Further rallies are planned on July 17 in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver.
The Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario unites more than 300,000 college and university students studying at public post-secondary institutions across the province.
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PUBLIC STATEMENT on G20 security measures
Students call for an independent review of security measures
Representatives for 150,000 Toronto University students unite in calling for an independent review of G20 police brutality & affront on civil liberties.
Today students are joining the call for an independent review of G20 security in response to this weekend’s security presence that resulted in intimidation, brutality, and mass arrests by police. The tactics of the police are unprecedented and undermine basic human rights and freedoms under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms that allow people to assemble, demonstrate peacefully and express their views.
Students’ union executives expressed concern with the police brutality inflicted on the city and residents, noting that there is a clear difference between civil disobedience and violent destruction of property. On Sunday June 27, when representatives from students’ unions went to the detention centre to express solidarity in response to the mass blanket arrests and police intimidation, by holding a peaceful public demonstration they were attacked, and witnessed firsthand police use brutal force including rubber bullets and smoke bombs.
Students have a proud history of activism in the streets of Toronto to voice their dissent on a variety of issues, and we should not have to live in fear of being attack or facing violent reprisal by the police for simple standing up for justice.
This weekend the safety of world leaders trumped the right to peacefully demonstrate many city blocks away and as student representatives we reject this kind of interaction and system that has trumped the rights of the people.
Equally concerning is the action of McGuinty and the Liberal government that with unilateral approval implemented a new law that stripped the rights of Torontonians of fundamental freedoms to be in the vicinity of the security fence. This law went into full force and gave the police a mandate to overreact and trample our democratic rights.
With more than one billion dollars now spent on security, hundreds of people sitting in a detention centre, and many questions left unanswered, students are joining Amnesty International’s call for an independent review of security measures.
We call on the Canadian government and the government of the province of Ontario to cooperate in launching an independent review of the security measures that were put in place for the G8 and G20 Summits. The review should include opportunities for public input and the results should be released to the public. Among other issues, the review must consider the following:
•The impact of security measures, including the invasion on human and civil rights, including the freedoms of expression and assembly; and
• The ways in which police/security operations and the use of legal provisions such as the Public Works Protection Act have impacted the rights of the many thousands of people living, working and operating businesses within and near the G20 security zone; and
• The ways in which those individuals who were detained, arrested and or held in jail were denied basic fundamental freedoms and rights.
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This is a joint statement issued by: Ryerson Students’ Union, University of Toronto Students Union, York Federation of Students, York University Graduate Students’ Association, Continuing Education Students Association at Ryerson, Glendon College Student Union, and the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus Students’ Union, representing over 150,000 post-secondary students in the Greater Toronto Area.
Students’ unions and campus organizations condemn police violence and raids, demand that all arrested activists be released
Early Sunday morning, police raided the Graduate Students’ Union (GSU) building at the University of Toronto and arrested approximately 70 billeting activists. Students’ unions, campus groups and labor organizations at U of T condemn the G20 Integrated Security Unit (ISU) for this and other raids, and demand that all detained activists and community members be released immediately.
Signatory organizations announced on June 22 that our offices would remain open during the G20 summit despite the University administration’s decision to close the campus. The administration did not consult students, faculty or staff in making this decision. As independent organizations, we remained open to defend freedom of speech and academic freedom, and to oppose the fear mongering and intimidation that pervaded media and workplaces in the weeks preceding the summit; ISU officers visited some of our offices and events to intimidate students and staff on multiple occasions.
As we noted in our initial public statement, we were concerned that protesters would be targeted with police violence and violation of civil liberties. What the world saw during the summit was worse than anticipated: with more than 800 people detained, we are witnessing the largest mass arrest in Canada since the War Measures Act of 1970, when 465 people were arrested and held without charge.
We call on the University of Toronto to promote civil liberties, follow due process, and join us in condemning the Integrated Security Unit’s senseless acts of aggression. We defend the right of all campus organizations to associate with individuals and groups that are not affiliated with the University of Toronto. We publicly call for the release of all political detainees of the G20 summit protests.
University of Toronto Students’ Union
Graduate Students’ Union
Association of Part-time Undergraduate Students
CUPE 3902
Ontario Public Interest Research Group – Toronto
CUPE 1281
For more information, please contact:
Adam Awad, U.T.S.U., 416-823-2672
Patrick Vitale, CUPE 3902, 647-222-3902
Clare O’Connor, OPIRG-Toronto, 416-926-8083
Anton Neschadim, GSU, 416-897-2789
Faraz Shahidi, OPIRG, 905 484 0570
Signatory organizations announced on June 22 that our offices would remain open during the G20 summit despite the University administration’s decision to close the campus. The administration did not consult students, faculty or staff in making this decision. As independent organizations, we remained open to defend freedom of speech and academic freedom, and to oppose the fear mongering and intimidation that pervaded media and workplaces in the weeks preceding the summit; ISU officers visited some of our offices and events to intimidate students and staff on multiple occasions.
As we noted in our initial public statement, we were concerned that protesters would be targeted with police violence and violation of civil liberties. What the world saw during the summit was worse than anticipated: with more than 800 people detained, we are witnessing the largest mass arrest in Canada since the War Measures Act of 1970, when 465 people were arrested and held without charge.
We call on the University of Toronto to promote civil liberties, follow due process, and join us in condemning the Integrated Security Unit’s senseless acts of aggression. We defend the right of all campus organizations to associate with individuals and groups that are not affiliated with the University of Toronto. We publicly call for the release of all political detainees of the G20 summit protests.
University of Toronto Students’ Union
Graduate Students’ Union
Association of Part-time Undergraduate Students
CUPE 3902
Ontario Public Interest Research Group – Toronto
CUPE 1281
For more information, please contact:
Adam Awad, U.T.S.U., 416-823-2672
Patrick Vitale, CUPE 3902, 647-222-3902
Clare O’Connor, OPIRG-Toronto, 416-926-8083
Anton Neschadim, GSU, 416-897-2789
Faraz Shahidi, OPIRG, 905 484 0570
Global Student Statement on the G8/G20 Summits: 150 million students speak out.
Global Student Statement
June 2010 • G8/20 Summits • Canada
Signatories:
All-Africa Students Union
Asian Student Association
Canadian Federation of Students
European Student Union
General Union of Arab Students
International Students Union of Norway
Organización Continental Latinoamericana Y Caribeña de
Estudiantes
United States Student Association
Student groups will stay open during G20 University of Toronto campus closure
For Immediate Release – Toronto – June 17, 2010: University of Toronto students’ unions and other campus and labour groups announced today that they will continue to operate during the St. George campus closure for the G20 summit, despite the University’s refusal to rescind the closure. The organizations have concluded that the University’s messaging around “safety” is not consistent with its plans for student residents, academic programs, and some on-campus organizations.
Among the important services that will be interrupted to accommodate the G20 security requests are access to child care, health care for international students, the student-run food and clothing bank, and discounted TTC Metropass sales. U of T students’ unions have pledged to continue providing services and advocacy for the students and the campus community to the best of their capabilities in the face of security restrictions.
“The Administration has been in constant communication with law enforcement”, says Maria Galvez, University of Toronto Students’ Union Vice-President University Affairs, “but did not formally communicate to any student group at any time leading up to the decision or after the announcement”. Previously, in university-wide “preparedness” meetings, such as those related to the H1N1 pandemic, student representatives had been included.
The students’ unions have given staff the option to remain at home if they are concerned about safety. Some staff have opted to stay at home citing concerns of police aggression and surveillance. “Many CUPE 1281 workplaces provide frontline services to students at the University of Toronto,” says Tanya Speight of CUPE 1281, the union representing the staff at U of T students’ unions and other student-run groups across Ontario. “We are opposed to this unilateral decision that prevents us from serving our members and doing our jobs.”
In previous major convergences in Canada, such as Quebec City and Calgary, universities hosted visitors to the city and community events. There have been no reports of violence incited by protestors at these previous convergences. U of T administration has admitted that injuries at the G20 related events in Pittsburgh were the result of police violence, not protestors, and yet they continue to work in cooperation with the police.
“Some student residents are being forced out and placed closer to the security zone” says Daniel Vandervoort, External Commissioner of the U of T Graduate Students’ Union. “We hope that the University is at least negotiating with police to minimise aggressive and violent tactics such as the misuse of sonic cannons”.
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Contact:
Maria Galvez, Vice-President University Affairs, University of Toronto Students’ Union: 647-404-7494
Daniel Vandervoort, External Commissioner, U of T Graduate Students’ Union: 416-978-2391
Jeff Peters, U of T Association of Part-Time Undergraduate Students: 416-978-3993
Tanya Speight, CUPE Local 1281: 416-978-4911 ext. 232
Patrick Vitale, Liaison Officer, CUPE Local 3902, representing education workers at U of T: 647-222-3902
Among the important services that will be interrupted to accommodate the G20 security requests are access to child care, health care for international students, the student-run food and clothing bank, and discounted TTC Metropass sales. U of T students’ unions have pledged to continue providing services and advocacy for the students and the campus community to the best of their capabilities in the face of security restrictions.
“The Administration has been in constant communication with law enforcement”, says Maria Galvez, University of Toronto Students’ Union Vice-President University Affairs, “but did not formally communicate to any student group at any time leading up to the decision or after the announcement”. Previously, in university-wide “preparedness” meetings, such as those related to the H1N1 pandemic, student representatives had been included.
The students’ unions have given staff the option to remain at home if they are concerned about safety. Some staff have opted to stay at home citing concerns of police aggression and surveillance. “Many CUPE 1281 workplaces provide frontline services to students at the University of Toronto,” says Tanya Speight of CUPE 1281, the union representing the staff at U of T students’ unions and other student-run groups across Ontario. “We are opposed to this unilateral decision that prevents us from serving our members and doing our jobs.”
In previous major convergences in Canada, such as Quebec City and Calgary, universities hosted visitors to the city and community events. There have been no reports of violence incited by protestors at these previous convergences. U of T administration has admitted that injuries at the G20 related events in Pittsburgh were the result of police violence, not protestors, and yet they continue to work in cooperation with the police.
“Some student residents are being forced out and placed closer to the security zone” says Daniel Vandervoort, External Commissioner of the U of T Graduate Students’ Union. “We hope that the University is at least negotiating with police to minimise aggressive and violent tactics such as the misuse of sonic cannons”.
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Contact:
Maria Galvez, Vice-President University Affairs, University of Toronto Students’ Union: 647-404-7494
Daniel Vandervoort, External Commissioner, U of T Graduate Students’ Union: 416-978-2391
Jeff Peters, U of T Association of Part-Time Undergraduate Students: 416-978-3993
Tanya Speight, CUPE Local 1281: 416-978-4911 ext. 232
Patrick Vitale, Liaison Officer, CUPE Local 3902, representing education workers at U of T: 647-222-3902
Open Letter Opposing U of T Closure
University of Toronto community opposes campus closure during the G20: Decision to "restrict access" heavy-handed and repressive
The decision to close the University of Toronto St. George campus during the G20 summit - the week of June 21-27 - contradicts the purpose of the university, reinforces harmful stereotypes of protesters, legitimizes police repression and violence, and does not reflect the wishes of students, staff and faculty.
Universities are sites for critical engagement and debate. The University of Toronto, as a place of higher learning, should be encouraging dialogue and engagement on the role of the G8/G20 and the future of our planet. Instead, administrators are prohibiting access to the campus, stifling dialogue and fostering a climate of fear.
According to a May 21st memo, the campus closure is necessary because of the "designated protest zone" at Queen's Park. Playing into media hype, University administrators have chosen to focus on a crude "protesters vs. police" characterization of anti-G20 efforts, and entirely sidestep the issues that compel people to oppose the G20 and its policies. In so doing, they reinforce cynical stereotypes of protesters and legitimize police violence.
The University did not consult students, staff, or faculty in making this decision. This decision places an unacceptable and unnecessary burden on students, instructors and researchers, forcing them to postpone their research, alter their course and exam schedules, and even abandon their homes.
For these reasons, we call on Provost Cheryl Misak and President David Naylor to immediately rescind their decision to close the campus during the G20 summit. We invite campus community members and organizations to join us. To endorse this statement, please send an email to open.uoft.campus@gmail.com.
Signatories
University of Toronto Students' Union
Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 3902
Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 3907
United Steelworkers, Local 1998
U of T Association of Part-Time Undergraduate Students
Ontario Public Interest Research Group - U of T
The Centre for Women and Trans People - U of T
Graduate Geography and Planning Student Society - U of T
Les Étudiants Francophones de l’Université de Toronto (French Club – EFUT)
Afghan Students Association, University of Toronto
University of Toronto Postdoctoral Association (UTPDA)
The Innis Herald
Ecumenical Chaplaincy at University of Toronto
Educators for Peace and Justice
Graduate Students’ Union - U of T
Caribbean Studies Students' Union – U of T
Unite Here, Local 75
Faculty Signatories
Kari Dehli, Chair, Sociology and Equity Studies in Education, OISE
Scott Prudham, Associate Professor, Department of Geography, Vice-President, University of Toronto Faculty Association (UTFA)
Bahar Biazar, Department of Adult Education and Counselling Psychology, University of Toronto
Deborah Cowen, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography and Programme in Planning, University of Toronto
Ken MacDonald, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography and Programme in Planning, University of Toronto
Emily Gilbert, Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Canadian Studies Program, University of Toronto
Katharine N. Rankin, Associate Professor & Director of Planning, Department of Geography, University of Toronto
Rachel Gorman, PhD. Undergraduate Coordinator, Women and Gender Studies Institute, University of Toronto
Kanishka Goonewardena. Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Programme in Planning, University of Toronto
Sarah Wakefield. Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Programme in Planning, University of Toronto
Matthew Farish, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography and Programme in Planning, University of Toronto
Ernie Lightman, Professor, Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto
Rinaldo Walcott, SESE OISE, University of Toronto
Andre Schmid, Associate Professor, Dept. of East Asian Studies, University of Toronto
Robert Lewis, Professor, Department of Geography and Progamme in Planning, University of Toronto
Paul Downes, Associate Professor, Department of English, University of Toronto
Nicholas Sammond, Associate Professor, Cinema Studies Institute/Department of English, University of Toronto
Margrit Eichler, Professor, Department of Sociology and Equity Studies in Education, OISE, University of Toronto
Corinn Columpar, Associate Professor, Cinema Studies and English, University of Toronto
John P. Valleau, Professor Emeritus, Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto
Eric Cazdyn, Associate Professor, East Asian Studies, University of Toronto
Professor Paul Hamel, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
Douglas R. Frayne, Adjunct Professor, Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations, University of Toronto
Richard Roman, Associate Professor, Sociology (retired), University of Toronto
Stella Sandahl, Associate Professor, Department of East Asian Studies, University of Toronto
D. W. Livingstone, Canada Research Chair in Lifelong Learning and Work and Professor, Department of Sociology and Equity Studies, University of Toronto
Richard Sandbrook, Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Toronto
Jesook Song, Associate Professor, Department of East Asian Studies, University of Toronto
Ken Kawashima, Associate Professor, Department of East Asian Studies, University of Toronto
Andrew Clement, Professor, Faculty of Information, University of Toronto
David J. Phillips, Associate Professor and Chair of Doctoral Studies, Faculty of Information, University of Toronto
Danny Heap, Lecturer, Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto
Ben-Z. Shek, Emeritus Professor, French Department, University of Toronto
Sheryl Nestel, Coordinator, OISE Teaching Support Office (OTSO), University of Toronto
Naomi Morgenstern, Associate Professor, Department of English, University of Toronto
Rachel Silvey, Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Programme in Planning, University of Toronto
Andrew Payne, Senior Lecturer, Writing Program, Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, University of Toronto
Mary Nyquist, Associate Professor, Department of English, University of Toronto
Trevor Cook, Course Instructor, Department of English, University of Toronto
Francis Cody, Assisatant Professor, Asian Institute and Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto
Andrea Muehlebach, Assistant Professor, Anthropology, University of Toronto
Alice Maurice, Assistant Professor, Department of English, University of Toronto
Jay Macpherson, Retired Professor, English, Victoria University
Susan Antebi, Assistant Professor, Department of Spanish and Portuguese, University of Toronto
Eva-Lynn Jagoe, Associate Professor of Spanish and Comparative Literature, Director of Latin American Studies, University of Toronto
Antje Budde, Assistant Professor, UC Drama Program and Centre for Comparative Literature, University of Toronto
Jeremy Lopez, Associate Professor, Department of English, University of Toronto
Germaine Warkentin, Professor Emeritus, Department of English, University of Toronto
Rebecca Comay, Professor, Department of Philosophy and Centre for Comparative Literature, University of Toronto
Thomas Keirstead, Associate Professor, Deptartment of East Asian Studies, University of Toronto
Malcolm Woodland, Associate Professor, Department of English, University of Toronto
Julian Patrick, Associate Professor, Deptartment of English and Literary Studies Program, Victoria College
Daniel E. White, Associate Professor, Department of English, University of Toronto
Deidre Lynch, Chancellor Jackman Professor, Associate Professor, Department of English, University of Toronto
Victor Li, Associate Professor, Department of English and Centre for Comparative Literature, University of Toronto
Gavin Smith, Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto
Blake Poland, Associate Professor, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
Veronika Ambros, Associate Professor, Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures, University of Toronto
Sanda Munjic, Assistant Professor, Department of Spanish and Portuguese, University of Toronto
Hans B. de Groot, Associate Professor of English Emeritus, University of Toronto
Tyler Evans-Tokaryk, Lecturer, Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre, University of Toronto Mississauga
Rosa Sarabia, Professor, Department of Spanish & Portuguese, University of Toronto
Emily Eaton, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, University of Regina
Reecia Orzeck, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, University of Vermont
David McNally, Professor, Political Science, York University
Helen Colley, Professor of Lifelong Learning, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
Irma Molina, Post Doctoral Fellow, Social Anthropology, York University
Marie-Josée Massicotte, Associate Professor, School of Political Studies, University of Ottawa
Mark J. Goodman, Department of Sociology and Department of Equity Studies, York University
Laam Hae, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, York University
Harald Bauder, Associate Professor, Department of Geography, Ryerson University
Don Mitchell, Distinguished Professor of Geography, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University
Greg Albo, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, York University
Andrew Biro, Canada Research Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Acadia University, University of Toronto alumnus
Clayton Rosati, Assistant Professor, School of Media and Communication, Bowling Green State University
Mike Cado, PhD Candidate, Part-time Faculty, York University
Joel Wainwright, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Ohio State University
Stephen D'Arcy, Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy, Huron University College, University of Toronto alumnus
Jennifer A. Stephen, Associate Professor, Department of History, York University
Sedef Arat-Koc, Associate Professor, Department of Politics and Public Administration, Ryerson University
Doreen Fumia, Assistant Professor, Sociology, Ryerson University
Jonah Butovsky, Associate Professor, Sociology, Director, Centre for Labour Studies, Brock University
David Featherstone, Lecturer, Department of Geographical and Earth Scienes, University of Glasgow
Jamey Essex, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Windsor
Simon Springer, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, National University of Singapore
Dr. Tirthankar Chattopadhyay, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Leah Gibbs, SAGES Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Geographical & Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow
The decision to close the University of Toronto St. George campus during the G20 summit - the week of June 21-27 - contradicts the purpose of the university, reinforces harmful stereotypes of protesters, legitimizes police repression and violence, and does not reflect the wishes of students, staff and faculty.
Universities are sites for critical engagement and debate. The University of Toronto, as a place of higher learning, should be encouraging dialogue and engagement on the role of the G8/G20 and the future of our planet. Instead, administrators are prohibiting access to the campus, stifling dialogue and fostering a climate of fear.
According to a May 21st memo, the campus closure is necessary because of the "designated protest zone" at Queen's Park. Playing into media hype, University administrators have chosen to focus on a crude "protesters vs. police" characterization of anti-G20 efforts, and entirely sidestep the issues that compel people to oppose the G20 and its policies. In so doing, they reinforce cynical stereotypes of protesters and legitimize police violence.
The University did not consult students, staff, or faculty in making this decision. This decision places an unacceptable and unnecessary burden on students, instructors and researchers, forcing them to postpone their research, alter their course and exam schedules, and even abandon their homes.
For these reasons, we call on Provost Cheryl Misak and President David Naylor to immediately rescind their decision to close the campus during the G20 summit. We invite campus community members and organizations to join us. To endorse this statement, please send an email to open.uoft.campus@gmail.com.
Signatories
University of Toronto Students' Union
Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 3902
Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 3907
United Steelworkers, Local 1998
U of T Association of Part-Time Undergraduate Students
Ontario Public Interest Research Group - U of T
The Centre for Women and Trans People - U of T
Graduate Geography and Planning Student Society - U of T
Les Étudiants Francophones de l’Université de Toronto (French Club – EFUT)
Afghan Students Association, University of Toronto
University of Toronto Postdoctoral Association (UTPDA)
The Innis Herald
Ecumenical Chaplaincy at University of Toronto
Educators for Peace and Justice
Graduate Students’ Union - U of T
Caribbean Studies Students' Union – U of T
Unite Here, Local 75
Faculty Signatories
Kari Dehli, Chair, Sociology and Equity Studies in Education, OISE
Scott Prudham, Associate Professor, Department of Geography, Vice-President, University of Toronto Faculty Association (UTFA)
Bahar Biazar, Department of Adult Education and Counselling Psychology, University of Toronto
Deborah Cowen, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography and Programme in Planning, University of Toronto
Ken MacDonald, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography and Programme in Planning, University of Toronto
Emily Gilbert, Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Canadian Studies Program, University of Toronto
Katharine N. Rankin, Associate Professor & Director of Planning, Department of Geography, University of Toronto
Rachel Gorman, PhD. Undergraduate Coordinator, Women and Gender Studies Institute, University of Toronto
Kanishka Goonewardena. Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Programme in Planning, University of Toronto
Sarah Wakefield. Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Programme in Planning, University of Toronto
Matthew Farish, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography and Programme in Planning, University of Toronto
Ernie Lightman, Professor, Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto
Rinaldo Walcott, SESE OISE, University of Toronto
Andre Schmid, Associate Professor, Dept. of East Asian Studies, University of Toronto
Robert Lewis, Professor, Department of Geography and Progamme in Planning, University of Toronto
Paul Downes, Associate Professor, Department of English, University of Toronto
Nicholas Sammond, Associate Professor, Cinema Studies Institute/Department of English, University of Toronto
Margrit Eichler, Professor, Department of Sociology and Equity Studies in Education, OISE, University of Toronto
Corinn Columpar, Associate Professor, Cinema Studies and English, University of Toronto
John P. Valleau, Professor Emeritus, Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto
Eric Cazdyn, Associate Professor, East Asian Studies, University of Toronto
Professor Paul Hamel, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
Douglas R. Frayne, Adjunct Professor, Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations, University of Toronto
Richard Roman, Associate Professor, Sociology (retired), University of Toronto
Stella Sandahl, Associate Professor, Department of East Asian Studies, University of Toronto
D. W. Livingstone, Canada Research Chair in Lifelong Learning and Work and Professor, Department of Sociology and Equity Studies, University of Toronto
Richard Sandbrook, Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Toronto
Jesook Song, Associate Professor, Department of East Asian Studies, University of Toronto
Ken Kawashima, Associate Professor, Department of East Asian Studies, University of Toronto
Andrew Clement, Professor, Faculty of Information, University of Toronto
David J. Phillips, Associate Professor and Chair of Doctoral Studies, Faculty of Information, University of Toronto
Danny Heap, Lecturer, Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto
Ben-Z. Shek, Emeritus Professor, French Department, University of Toronto
Sheryl Nestel, Coordinator, OISE Teaching Support Office (OTSO), University of Toronto
Naomi Morgenstern, Associate Professor, Department of English, University of Toronto
Rachel Silvey, Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Programme in Planning, University of Toronto
Andrew Payne, Senior Lecturer, Writing Program, Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, University of Toronto
Mary Nyquist, Associate Professor, Department of English, University of Toronto
Trevor Cook, Course Instructor, Department of English, University of Toronto
Francis Cody, Assisatant Professor, Asian Institute and Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto
Andrea Muehlebach, Assistant Professor, Anthropology, University of Toronto
Alice Maurice, Assistant Professor, Department of English, University of Toronto
Jay Macpherson, Retired Professor, English, Victoria University
Susan Antebi, Assistant Professor, Department of Spanish and Portuguese, University of Toronto
Eva-Lynn Jagoe, Associate Professor of Spanish and Comparative Literature, Director of Latin American Studies, University of Toronto
Antje Budde, Assistant Professor, UC Drama Program and Centre for Comparative Literature, University of Toronto
Jeremy Lopez, Associate Professor, Department of English, University of Toronto
Germaine Warkentin, Professor Emeritus, Department of English, University of Toronto
Rebecca Comay, Professor, Department of Philosophy and Centre for Comparative Literature, University of Toronto
Thomas Keirstead, Associate Professor, Deptartment of East Asian Studies, University of Toronto
Malcolm Woodland, Associate Professor, Department of English, University of Toronto
Julian Patrick, Associate Professor, Deptartment of English and Literary Studies Program, Victoria College
Daniel E. White, Associate Professor, Department of English, University of Toronto
Deidre Lynch, Chancellor Jackman Professor, Associate Professor, Department of English, University of Toronto
Victor Li, Associate Professor, Department of English and Centre for Comparative Literature, University of Toronto
Gavin Smith, Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto
Blake Poland, Associate Professor, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
Veronika Ambros, Associate Professor, Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures, University of Toronto
Sanda Munjic, Assistant Professor, Department of Spanish and Portuguese, University of Toronto
Hans B. de Groot, Associate Professor of English Emeritus, University of Toronto
Tyler Evans-Tokaryk, Lecturer, Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre, University of Toronto Mississauga
Rosa Sarabia, Professor, Department of Spanish & Portuguese, University of Toronto
Emily Eaton, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, University of Regina
Reecia Orzeck, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, University of Vermont
David McNally, Professor, Political Science, York University
Helen Colley, Professor of Lifelong Learning, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
Irma Molina, Post Doctoral Fellow, Social Anthropology, York University
Marie-Josée Massicotte, Associate Professor, School of Political Studies, University of Ottawa
Mark J. Goodman, Department of Sociology and Department of Equity Studies, York University
Laam Hae, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, York University
Harald Bauder, Associate Professor, Department of Geography, Ryerson University
Don Mitchell, Distinguished Professor of Geography, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University
Greg Albo, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, York University
Andrew Biro, Canada Research Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Acadia University, University of Toronto alumnus
Clayton Rosati, Assistant Professor, School of Media and Communication, Bowling Green State University
Mike Cado, PhD Candidate, Part-time Faculty, York University
Joel Wainwright, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Ohio State University
Stephen D'Arcy, Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy, Huron University College, University of Toronto alumnus
Jennifer A. Stephen, Associate Professor, Department of History, York University
Sedef Arat-Koc, Associate Professor, Department of Politics and Public Administration, Ryerson University
Doreen Fumia, Assistant Professor, Sociology, Ryerson University
Jonah Butovsky, Associate Professor, Sociology, Director, Centre for Labour Studies, Brock University
David Featherstone, Lecturer, Department of Geographical and Earth Scienes, University of Glasgow
Jamey Essex, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Windsor
Simon Springer, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, National University of Singapore
Dr. Tirthankar Chattopadhyay, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Leah Gibbs, SAGES Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Geographical & Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow
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Students call for measures to improve the university and college experience
TORONTO, May 11 - A report released by the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario identifies that high tuition fees and high student debt are factors that have caused the erosion of the quality of education offered at Ontario colleges and universities. As a result, student engagement has suffered and quality has declined.
"In March, the government announced that it would allow tuition fees to increase by an average of five percent for the fifth year in a row," said Shelley Melanson, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario. "This fee increase, combined with growing class sizes and ballooning student debt, means that students are now paying more than ever before and getting less."
Our Bright Future: Student Engagement is the final of seven submissions calling on the Ontario government to make positive change for the post-secondary education sector, produced by the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario. Students are calling for the government to make incentives for the creation of more paid co-op placements, the dedication of more funding to the Work Study Program and legally protect students' unions.
"The Ontario Liberal government has identified that student engagement is a priority, and with this submission today, students have offered ways in which we can be more engaged in our education," said Melanson. "Central to promoting better student engagement is stopping the privatisation of higher education through the user fees that are levied on students and their families."
The submission on student engagement is part of a series that also recommends ways to improve student financial assistance, funding and quality, credit transfer and regional issues. All copies of Our Bright Future can be found at www.cfsontario.ca.
The Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario unites more than 300,000 college and university students studying at public post-secondary institutions across the province.
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"In March, the government announced that it would allow tuition fees to increase by an average of five percent for the fifth year in a row," said Shelley Melanson, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario. "This fee increase, combined with growing class sizes and ballooning student debt, means that students are now paying more than ever before and getting less."
Our Bright Future: Student Engagement is the final of seven submissions calling on the Ontario government to make positive change for the post-secondary education sector, produced by the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario. Students are calling for the government to make incentives for the creation of more paid co-op placements, the dedication of more funding to the Work Study Program and legally protect students' unions.
"The Ontario Liberal government has identified that student engagement is a priority, and with this submission today, students have offered ways in which we can be more engaged in our education," said Melanson. "Central to promoting better student engagement is stopping the privatisation of higher education through the user fees that are levied on students and their families."
The submission on student engagement is part of a series that also recommends ways to improve student financial assistance, funding and quality, credit transfer and regional issues. All copies of Our Bright Future can be found at www.cfsontario.ca.
The Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario unites more than 300,000 college and university students studying at public post-secondary institutions across the province.
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University of Toronto closes Mississauga child care facility, violating its own policy on child care
University of Toronto closes Mississauga child care facility,
violating its own policy on child care
For Immediate Release
April 16, 2010 – Toronto, ON – The University of Toronto at Mississauga (UTM) has announced the closure of UTM’s only onsite child care facility after only eight months of operation. The centre is open to students, staff and faculty at the University, as well as members of the community.
Parents of children enrolled in the centre received a letter this week informing them that due to a “lack of demand”, the centre would be closing permanently as of June. “The issue is not a lack of demand for child care at UTM” said Danielle Sandhu, U.T.S.U. Vice-President Equity Elect, “it’s a failure on the part of the Administration to ensure that affordable, high-quality child care is available to all students and staff.”
The University of Toronto policy on child care states:
The University of Toronto is committed to the provision of child care programs and services on its campuses that further the University's academic mission…. The provision of excellent child care programs on the University's campuses will create work, study, teaching and research environments in which all University members can fulfill their potential. The University will support child care options for University families that are high quality, flexible, (and) affordable…
http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/policies/childcare.htm
For student Anjeza Rexha, the decision to attend UTM was made based on the provision of child care on campus. “I decided to pursue education after beginning my family life,” said Rexha. “A major factor in my decision to choose UTM was that the childcare centre was to be opened.”
6 years ago the University of Toronto Students’ Union (U.T.S.U.), which represents and unites 44,000 students at the St. George and Mississauga campuses, collaborated with The University of Toronto at Mississauga Students’ Union (UTMSU) and other Students’ Unions to secure funding for a temporary child minding service for UTM students. U.T.S.U. funded and operated the service on a temporary basis while lobbying the University administration to respect its own policy on child care. The University finally opened the “permanent” Early Learning Centre in 2009. U.T.S.U. closed its service based on the University’s promise to continue operating the permanent centre.
U.T.S.U. is joining UTMSU in their call to keep the facility open. “Having a child should not interfere with someone’s access to education,” said Sandhu. “The University has committed itself to providing high quality child care for students with families. It needs to live up to the promise by ensuring the daycare centre remains open.”
violating its own policy on child care
For Immediate Release
April 16, 2010 – Toronto, ON – The University of Toronto at Mississauga (UTM) has announced the closure of UTM’s only onsite child care facility after only eight months of operation. The centre is open to students, staff and faculty at the University, as well as members of the community.
Parents of children enrolled in the centre received a letter this week informing them that due to a “lack of demand”, the centre would be closing permanently as of June. “The issue is not a lack of demand for child care at UTM” said Danielle Sandhu, U.T.S.U. Vice-President Equity Elect, “it’s a failure on the part of the Administration to ensure that affordable, high-quality child care is available to all students and staff.”
The University of Toronto policy on child care states:
The University of Toronto is committed to the provision of child care programs and services on its campuses that further the University's academic mission…. The provision of excellent child care programs on the University's campuses will create work, study, teaching and research environments in which all University members can fulfill their potential. The University will support child care options for University families that are high quality, flexible, (and) affordable…
http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/policies/childcare.htm
For student Anjeza Rexha, the decision to attend UTM was made based on the provision of child care on campus. “I decided to pursue education after beginning my family life,” said Rexha. “A major factor in my decision to choose UTM was that the childcare centre was to be opened.”
6 years ago the University of Toronto Students’ Union (U.T.S.U.), which represents and unites 44,000 students at the St. George and Mississauga campuses, collaborated with The University of Toronto at Mississauga Students’ Union (UTMSU) and other Students’ Unions to secure funding for a temporary child minding service for UTM students. U.T.S.U. funded and operated the service on a temporary basis while lobbying the University administration to respect its own policy on child care. The University finally opened the “permanent” Early Learning Centre in 2009. U.T.S.U. closed its service based on the University’s promise to continue operating the permanent centre.
U.T.S.U. is joining UTMSU in their call to keep the facility open. “Having a child should not interfere with someone’s access to education,” said Sandhu. “The University has committed itself to providing high quality child care for students with families. It needs to live up to the promise by ensuring the daycare centre remains open.”
UTM closes Early Learning Center; becomes only UofT campus without child care
MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 15 /CNW/ - After only eight months of operation and three years of student subsidy, the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) has announced that it will be closing the doors of the Early Learning Centre - the campus' only onsite child care.
"Students have been fighting for an Early Learning Centre for more than 6 years on our campus. It is stunning to me that the university would turn its back on student parents at a time when the economy is lagging and unemployment is so high," said Vickita Bhatt, Vice-President Equity of the University of Toronto at Mississauga Students' Union. "Campus child care helps to open up educational opportunities for many who are struggling in this economy and it would be shameful for UTM to return to being a campus without any support for student parents."
"It is irresponsible for the UTM administration to pull the plug on an important service like child care in the first year of its operation," said Viara Mileva, a graduate student with two children in the child care facility. "If the university is committed to accessibility, it should be looking to increase its support for accessible child care on campus, not scrapping the service entirely."
This week, the University contacted the parents of the UTM Early Learning Centre to inform them that the Centre would be shut down at the end of June and no support services would be offered in the upcoming year. This decision came as a surprise to UTM students, who voted three years ago to charge a levy to every student to support the Centre, and who have increased the levy by over 300% since then. This year, the University demanded an increase in the per full time student levy from $7.92 a year to $18.03. When student leaders objected to the increase, UTM Principal Ian Orchard declared campus childcare "a failed experiment" and the centre's unionized staff received their termination notice.
"Students have accepted the levy increases because they support campus child care, but the Administration is shirking its responsibility in ensuring that affordable child care is available," said Danielle Sandhu, Vice-President Campus Life of the University of Toronto Students' Union. "The answer is not a 128% levy increase for students, but a commitment from the Administration to ensure access to education for students with families."
The University of Toronto Mississauga Students' Union represents 11,000 undergraduate students and is Local 109 of the Canadian Federation of Students.
For further information: Vickita Bhatt, Vice-President Equity, (416) 708-4183 (cell)
"Students have been fighting for an Early Learning Centre for more than 6 years on our campus. It is stunning to me that the university would turn its back on student parents at a time when the economy is lagging and unemployment is so high," said Vickita Bhatt, Vice-President Equity of the University of Toronto at Mississauga Students' Union. "Campus child care helps to open up educational opportunities for many who are struggling in this economy and it would be shameful for UTM to return to being a campus without any support for student parents."
"It is irresponsible for the UTM administration to pull the plug on an important service like child care in the first year of its operation," said Viara Mileva, a graduate student with two children in the child care facility. "If the university is committed to accessibility, it should be looking to increase its support for accessible child care on campus, not scrapping the service entirely."
This week, the University contacted the parents of the UTM Early Learning Centre to inform them that the Centre would be shut down at the end of June and no support services would be offered in the upcoming year. This decision came as a surprise to UTM students, who voted three years ago to charge a levy to every student to support the Centre, and who have increased the levy by over 300% since then. This year, the University demanded an increase in the per full time student levy from $7.92 a year to $18.03. When student leaders objected to the increase, UTM Principal Ian Orchard declared campus childcare "a failed experiment" and the centre's unionized staff received their termination notice.
"Students have accepted the levy increases because they support campus child care, but the Administration is shirking its responsibility in ensuring that affordable child care is available," said Danielle Sandhu, Vice-President Campus Life of the University of Toronto Students' Union. "The answer is not a 128% levy increase for students, but a commitment from the Administration to ensure access to education for students with families."
The University of Toronto Mississauga Students' Union represents 11,000 undergraduate students and is Local 109 of the Canadian Federation of Students.
For further information: Vickita Bhatt, Vice-President Equity, (416) 708-4183 (cell)