Local rally held in solidarity of Laurentian University
A socially-distanced rally was held on Friday, Apr. 30, 2021 in a move of solidarity to demand public funding for Sudbury’s Laurentian University.
The rally took place at the corner of University Avenue and Union Street on Queen’s Campus and was held by PSAC Local 901.
“On February 1, Laurentian University declared insolvency,” a news release promoting the event stated. “Instead of following the financial exigency procedures, the University chose to invoke the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA), initiating a process which was designed for private corporations.”
The University has now cut half of its programs and terminated one-third of its faculty and 41 staff. With many students losing their programs, supervisors and dissertation committees mid-degree.
“We are worriedly following that Laurentian University is being dismantled through the political interference by Premier Ford and his government, as well as the negligence of Romano Ross, the Minister of Colleges and Universities,” the news release stated.
Organizers say the process that Laurentian has taken has prioritized profit over the social benefits of Indigenous Studies and French-medium programs.
In Kingston St. Lawrence College has partnerships with Laurentian University for two programs which are slated to continue despite the cuts.
So where are the police? I don’t see this as permitted in the “Stay at Home” Order rules. Students can’t use a park, sit out an eat lunch–but this is okay? Public health hippocrites.