(MONTRÉAL—March 19, 2021)

Support for Laurentian University professors

Motion of the Executive Council of the Syndicat des professeurs et professeurs de l’Université du Québec à Montréal:

WHEREAS the historical importance of Laurentian University to Northern Ontario as a public, bilingual institution serving the region’s Francophone, Anglophone and Aboriginal communities;

WHEREAS the continued erosion of public funding for Ontario’s universities;

WHEREAS the decision of Laurentian University management to place the institution under the protection of the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act, which has, among other things, restricted the right of the LUFA  to bargain freely on behalf of its members and suspended all legal proceedings (ongoing and potential) to which the union would normally be entitled;

WHEREAS the University will be presenting a financial restructuring plan by May 1, 2021 which could result in both program closures and job losses, and which could therefore cause irreparable damage to the region;

WHEREAS the campaign of support initiated by Laurentian University Faculty Association for a sustainable public reinvestment in the pursuit of Laurentian University’s mission;

WHEREAS the refusal of the Ontario Minister of Colleges and Universities, Mr. Ross Romano, to commit to providing Laurentian University with the financial support it needs, despite the fact that it is a public institution;

BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COUNCIL:

AFFIRMS its solidarity with the Laurentian University Faculty Association and its members;

DECLARES the decision of the management of Laurentian University to place the institution under the protection of the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act;

URGES the Government of Ontario to provide Laurentian University with the funding that will allow it to put an end to its solvency problems, ensure its long-term financial viability and preserve its bilingual, tri-cultural and public character.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY