Over800 educators Petition for the Resignation of Pascale Déry
College and University Professionals Cry Foul Over Quebec's Higher Education Minister
In a bold move, over 800 teachers from Quebec's colleges and universities have taken a public stand, calling for the resignation of Pascale Déry, the Higher Education Minister, accusing her of encroaching on academic freedom. This demand follows a ministerial investigation launched by Déry's office into the political climate at Vanier and Dawson Colleges.
An open letter, published in Le Devoir, states that this investigation is politically motivated and attacks the autonomy of CEGEPs and the teaching staff. The distressing event unfolded after the CAQ government began investigations at the two English-language institutions regarding student safety, instigated by tensions arising from clashes between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Notably, the Vanier College administration confirmed receiving no complaints that justified the government's action. Dawson College teachers' union, on the other hand, challenge the accuracy of some examples used by Déry to justify the investigation. In addition, the minister's interference in the curriculum of two courses on Palestinian literature has further fanicked the unsettled atmosphere.
The instigators of the movement, such as Hamza Tabaichount, a history professor at Collège Montmorency, liken this political intervention as a chilling precedent that threatens academic freedom and discourages free discussion of important topics. Tabaichount believes that these actions may intimidate professors and create an intimidating environment that could undermine the very foundation of democratic societies.
It is not the first time that calls for Minister Déry's resignation have surfaced. In April, a group of around 40 Jewish origin professors and the teachers' union at the Sherbrooke CEGEP have already voiced their disapproval, as have other organizations such as the Fédération nationale des enseignantes et des enseignants du Québec, and the Fédération québécoise des professeures et professeurs d'université.
Minister Déry's office declined to comment on the open letter, stating it contains inaccurate facts, and emphasizing that the investigation process will continue as planned. The controversy surrounding Minister Déry has also raised questions about her past ties with the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), a pro-Israeli lobby group, whose support seems to have played a role in triggering investigations.
Although the specific details surrounding the controversy at Dawson College are scant, broader societal concerns about academic freedom and the politicization of education continue to surface. For instance, the College Dawson incident mentioned on TikTok, appears to involve some form of investigation or controversy, but the exact nature of it remains unclear.
Insights
- The controversy surrouding Quebec's Higher Education Minister Pascale Déry involves accusations of encroachment on academic freedom and investigation into certain colleges.
- The specific issues revolve around Vanier and Dawson Colleges, but details regarding the exact nature of the controversy in Dawson are scarce.
- The controversy builds on broader concerns about academic freedom and politicization within Canada's higher education system.
- There are calls for Minister Déry's resignation over perceived actions that hinder academic freedom, as outlined by Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) in relation to other educational issues.
- The role of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), previously served by Minister Déry, has been questioned in triggering investigations.
- The investigations launched by Quebec's Higher Education Minister Pascale Déry's office into the political climate at Vanier and Dawson Colleges have been labeled as politically motivated and an attack on academic freedom.
- The controversy surrounding Minister Déry's involvement in the politicization of education has led to pedagogical investigations, especially focusing on education-and-self-development courses and resources related to the general news of the Gaza region.
- Those opposing Minister Déry's actions, such as Hamza Tabaichount, a history professor, argue that her intervention sets a chilling precedent, threatening academic freedom and discouraging free discussion on politically sensitive topics.
- The investigations instigated by Minister Déry into Vanier and Dawson Colleges have sparked general news headlines, with many concerned organizations, including Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME), questioning her past ties with the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) and its possible influence on these investigations.
