Messages to Community

Gaza situation and support reminders

deidre.mccabe@��.Ca — Wed, 21 May 2025 13:25:50 +0000

Gaza situation and support reminders deidre.mccabe@… Wed, 05/21/2025 - 09:25

Dear members of the �� community,

Many of us are watching the escalation of human suffering in Gaza with alarm. While thousands of kilometres away, many members of the �� community are touched at a human level by the scale and impact of the crisis unfolding, which threatens to intensify over the coming days.

To reiterate my past messages, ��, as a university, must remain mindful of its academic mission and refrain from commenting or taking a position on a geopolitical crisis. That said, we will always express compassion for and extend care to our community members affected by international emergencies.

If you need support, please do not hesitate to reach out. Resources are set out below.

Sincerely,

Deep Saini
President and Vice Chancellor
��

Resources   

For students:   

The Student Wellness Hub offers counselling services for students located in Montreal.     
GuardMe is a service accessible 24/7 whenever you need to speak (or text) with a mental health professional for support. You can access GuardMe from anywhere in the world.

For faculty and staff:     

The Employee & Family Assistance Program is available to �� employees as a confidential support service.

The belief that drives us forward

deidre.mccabe@��.Ca — Wed, 07 May 2025 13:35:21 +0000

The belief that drives us forward deidre.mccabe@… Wed, 05/07/2025 - 09:35

Dear members of the �� community,

As we conclude another academic year together, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the collective efforts that have brought us here. Over the past year, ��’s students, faculty, and staff have shown a remarkable commitment to ��’s mission, all while navigating the complex challenges impacting our University and the higher education sector more broadly.

In just a few weeks, we will enter ��’s 2025 Convocation season – an opportunity to recognize many of the stellar achievements made possible by these concerted efforts. At a time of significant challenges for ��, occasions such as these are important reminders of what unites and motivates us to forge ahead: the transformative power of education to expand knowledge, spark discovery – and, ultimately, to change lives.

It is a fundamental, unshakable belief animating all that we do, and it will continue to guide us as we work to protect ��’s mission and place as one of the world’s top institutions of higher education.

I look forward to celebrating the Class of 2025, our honorary doctorate and award recipients, and all members of our community who have supported our graduates throughout their journeys. Thank you for your wide-ranging contributions over the past year and for your continued dedication to strengthening ��’s future.

Wishing you a summer filled with well-deserved rest, renewal, and enjoyment.

Sincerely,

Deep Saini
President and Vice-Chancellor
��

Court rules on tuition increases, French proficiency

rosalie.nardelli@mcgill.ca — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 22:11:41 +0000

Court rules on tuition increases, French proficiency rosalie.nardel… Thu, 04/24/2025 - 18:11

Dear members of the �� community,

In February 2024, �� launched legal proceedings to reverse government changes to tuition for students outside of Quebec and a new francisation requirement. Today, Justice Dufour of the Quebec Superior Court ruled that:

the government regulation, which required new undergraduates from outside Quebec to reach an intermediate proficiency in French, was deemed unreasonable and invalid, and ceases to be in effect immediately
the tuition increases for Canadian students from outside Quebec (undergraduates and students in professional master’s programs) were deemed unreasonable and invalid, and therefore the government has up to nine months to modify its regulations in accordance with the judgement

With respect to international students, the government regulation did not increase tuition, but the government now retains a portion of this tuition. The judgement maintained this measure.

We look forward to working with the Government of Quebec to comply with the ruling rendered by the Court.

We know that many in our community will have questions about the effect of the ruling on the University and particularly tuition for Canadian students from outside Quebec. There is a 30-day period for an appeal. In the meantime, we will review the decision carefully to assess its implications and will keep you updated.

�� remains firmly committed to playing an essential role in Quebec’s economy, talent pipeline, research ecosystem and to contributing to the promotion and vitality of the French language. Thank you for your dedication to �� as we work to protect its mission and place as one of the world’s top institutions of higher education.

Sincerely,

Deep Saini
President and Vice-Chancellor
��

Injunction granted to protect ��’s academic activities

jaylen.gordon@mcgill.ca — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 20:13:14 +0000

Injunction granted to protect ��’s academic activities jaylen.gordon@… Tue, 04/15/2025 - 16:13

Dear members of the �� community,

Today, the Superior Court of Quebec granted ��’s request for a provisional injunction against Students for Palestinian Honour and Resistance (SPHR). In his judgement, Justice Collier noted that “�� has a clear right to an order that allows it to carry out its academic activities without obstruction” and that “�� is entitled to the protection of its property.”

In summary, the Court ruled that SPHR and any person aware of the judgement:

Must not block or obstruct the entrance to any building where �� is operating.
Must not engage in protests within five metres of any building where �� is operating.
Must not obstruct the delivery or performance of academic activities such as courses or exams.

The provisional injunction remains in force for 10 days. Read the full text of the judgement.

As I mentioned in my message of April 10, the University applied for the injunction following SPHR’s involvement in classroom obstructions and vandalism during a three-day student strike April 2-4, 2025.

In his decision, the judge recognized the harm done to the �� community by protest activities that resulted in vandalism, violence, and intimidation tactics. He stated that “Violence, intimidation and the destruction of property cannot be tolerated in this country, least of all at our universities, whose very mission is to foster learning and the expression of opinion through peaceful, respectful dialogue.”

I want to affirm that, on behalf of the University, I will vigorously defend everyone’s right to free expression and peaceful assembly, while also protecting our campus from abuses of these freedoms, especially when they hurt our academic mission or cause injury to others.

Many of you are working steadfastly to maintain stability in our community despite differing viewpoints on a range of very challenging and sensitive topics. Thank you so much for this work, which supports the teaching, learning and research that we so cherish.

Sincerely,

Deep Saini
President and Vice-Chancellor
��

Injunction to protect ��’s academic activities

rosalie.nardelli@mcgill.ca — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 00:02:20 +0000

Injunction to protect ��’s academic activities rosalie.nardel… Thu, 04/10/2025 - 20:02

Dear members of the �� community,

On April 8, �� applied to the Superior Court of Quebec to grant a provisional injunction against Students for Palestinian Honour and Resistance (SPHR) to protect the rights of students and staff to pursue their studies and work free from threats, obstructions and harassment. The judge heard our request today and we are awaiting his ruling.

With student exams beginning next week, �� is asking the Court to prohibit protestors from intimidating or harassing people trying to enter �� buildings or classrooms, from obstructing academic activities, or from obstructing access to buildings. The University also requested that protestors remain five metres away from buildings used for its operations, whether on or off campus.

The request for the injunction clearly states that the University considers protest by �� students and staff, within reasonable limits, to be not only permissible but also important. �� seeks to uphold freedom of expression and peaceful assembly while protecting the rights of students to continue their academic journey without obstruction.

The University applied for the injunction following SPHR’s involvement in classroom obstructions and vandalism during a three-day student strike April 2-4, 2025.

The goal of the injunction is to ensure that the integrity and stability of our academic activities are preserved during this critical period of the school year. We are first and foremost a university, and we must focus on our mission and the rights of our students to undertake their academic pursuits in a peaceful environment that supports their wellbeing and success.

Sincerely,

Deep Saini

President and Vice-Chancellor

��

Vandalism on Campus

deidre.mccabe@��.Ca — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 21:02:41 +0000

Vandalism on Campus deidre.mccabe@… Thu, 02/06/2025 - 16:02

Dear �� community members,

I write you in the wake of last night’s events, when approximately 40 individuals moved quickly across our Downtown Campus – smashing the windows of five buildings in under ten minutes and disrupting ongoing classes and exams involving hundreds of students. Security agents quickly notified police, but the vandals left before they arrived, after causing chaos, extensive damage, and panic among the students, faculty, and staff on site.

I cannot imagine what it must have been like for those nearest to the shattering glass as the shouting mob used stones, bricks, and hammers to destroy the windows. I was deeply relieved to learn that no injuries were reported, but for many, this was a truly terrifying experience. We are reaching out to the instructors of the classes interrupted yesterday evening, to ensure everyone gets the support they need.

We all deserve to work and study in a safe and peaceful environment. Violent actions like these have no place on our campuses or in our society, and they prevent us from delivering on the academic mission that has brought us all together as ��ians. For these reasons, we will fully enforce our policies and pursue legal accountability wherever appropriate. We expect that arrests will occur.

These acts were intended to intimidate our campus community and bully us into changing the University’s decision regarding proposals from some to Boycott, Divest and Sanction (BDS) the State of Israel. The University’s position rejecting BDS remains clear and firm.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our Grounds, Building Services, Trades, Operations, and Security teams, who worked overnight to ensure all five buildings would be safe, warm, and ready to welcome our community this morning. On behalf of all ��ians, thank you.

Some of you are understandably feeling shaken, frustrated, and fearful today. Know that I stand with you, that the resources listed below are available to you, and that I will use all available means to keep you safe and protect our community.

Sincerely,

Deep Saini
President and Vice-Chancellor

Resources

For students

The Student Wellness Hub offers counselling services for students located in Montreal. 

Keep.MeSafe is a service accessible 24/7 whenever you need to speak (or text) with a mental health professional for support. You can access Keep.MeSafe from anywhere in the world.

For faculty and staff

The Employee & Family Assistance Program is available to �� employees as a confidential support service.

��’s Climate and Sustainability Strategy (2025-2030)

deidre.mccabe@��.Ca — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 14:25:53 +0000

��’s Climate and Sustainability Strategy (2025-2030) deidre.mccabe@… Thu, 01/30/2025 - 09:25

Dear members of the �� community,

We are pleased to share with you ��’s new Climate & Sustainability Strategy 2025-2030, recently endorsed by the Board of Governors on the recommendation of its Sustainability and Social Responsibility Committee.

The Climate & Sustainability Strategy is the product of a year-long consultation process that sought input from students, staff, and faculty across the University. It reaffirms our unwavering commitment to sustainability excellence, and positions �� as a leader in sustainability in higher education.

The Strategy commits to five ambitious yet realistic goals:

Become a zero-waste university by 2035
Achieve carbon neutrality by 2040
Increase climate resilience
Become a Nature Positive university, supporting biodiversity
Maintain ��’s Platinum STARS Rating

In addition to institutional initiatives, the implementation of this Strategy depends on the collective efforts of students, staff, and faculty. It empowers everyone at �� to contribute, and we hope you will join us in playing an active role in its success.

We look forward to seeing our community work together towards a more sustainable ��.

Sincerely,  

Deep Saini, President and Vice-Chancellor
Fabrice Labeau, Vice-President, Administration and Finance

National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack

deidre.mccabe@��.Ca — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 20:20:06 +0000

National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack deidre.mccabe@… Tue, 01/28/2025 - 15:20

Dear members of the �� Community,

Today, January 29, we observe the National Day of Remembrance of the Québec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia. It has been eight years since the devastating attack at the Centre culturel islamique de Québec (CCIQ), a hateful act of Islamophobia that took six lives and profoundly impacted 19 others who were injured, leaving a lasting scar on our community, Quebec, and Canada.

�� will pay homage to the victims today at its annual CCIQ memorial, which will be held at 3:30 p.m. in the Robert Vogel Council Room (Leacock 232). All members of the �� community and the wider public are welcome to attend.

This year, in keeping with our academic mission and with the 2022 �� Initiative against Islamophobia and Antisemitism, the event will centre a Commemorative Lecture: Trajectories of Hate: Remembering Quebec City in a Time of Rising Islamophobia, delivered by Professor Nadia Hasan, Assistant Professor in the School of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies and the Director of the Islamophobia Research Hub at York University. Professor Hasan is an expert on systemic racism and Islamophobia in legal, administrative, and discursive regimes and their relation to Muslim life.

Also at this event, ��’s Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec Memorial Award will be presented to this year’s recipient.

Today we remember the six men who lost their lives on January 29, 2017: Ibrahima Barry, Mamadou Tanou Barry, Khaled Belkacemi, Aboubaker Thabti, Abdelkrim Hassane, and Azzedine Soufiane, as well as the other victims injured in this attack. We further salute the resilience of the families who continue to mourn.

Against the backdrop of this solemn day, I reaffirm on behalf of the �� community our resolute commitment to rejecting Islamophobia and to continuing to work toward a campus that rejects hate and discrimination in all forms.

January 29 is a somber day for all Quebeckers. It offers an opportunity to reflect on our shared responsibility to build a society, and a campus community, rooted in peace, understanding, and mutual respect, where diversity is celebrated, and our shared humanity binds us together.

I hope that you will be able to attend the CCIQ Memorial and Commemorative Lecture today at 3:30 p.m.

Sincerely,

Deep Saini
President and Vice-Chancellor

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

deidre.mccabe@��.Ca — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 13:21:35 +0000

International Holocaust Remembrance Day deidre.mccabe@… Mon, 01/27/2025 - 08:21

Dear members of the �� community,

Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day (IHRD). The date marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Nazi concentration and extermination camp that has become a symbol of both unimaginable cruelty, but also of tremendous resilience.

The Holocaust, rooted in explicit, profound, and government-sponsored antisemitism, led to the murder of six million Jews between 1933 and 1945. Alongside Jewish victims, the Nazi regime also targeted the Roma and Sinti peoples, persons with disabilities, sexual minorities, Slavic peoples, and Jehovah’s Witnesses. The legacy of this atrocity demands that we remember, educate, listen, learn, and act.

On this solemn day, �� will hold its annual IHRD Commemoration at 5:00 p.m., in the Thompson House Ballroom (3650 McTavish Street). All members of the �� community and the wider public are welcome to attend.

This year, in keeping with our academic mission and with the 2022 �� Initiative against Islamophobia and Antisemitism, the IHRD Commemoration will centre a Commemorative Lecture: “The Counterfeit Countess”: The True Story of a Polish Jewish Woman Who Fooled the Nazis, delivered by Professor Joanna Sliwa. Professor Sliwa is a historian at the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) in New York. She is a scholarly expert on the Holocaust in Poland and compensation for Holocaust survivors.

Although eight decades have passed since the Holocaust, remembrance remains essential. Tragically, we have witnessed increased acts of antisemitism worldwide and here at home, even on our own campuses. I speak for our campus community in unequivocally denouncing any form of antisemitism and anti-Jew hatred and reaffirming our commitment to prevent and combat it.

I invite all members of the �� community to reflect today on how each of us can redouble our efforts to build a campus where compassion and acceptance transcend division and where hate has no place.

In line with ��’s mission, an opportune place to start is through learning. As such, you are warmly encouraged to attend the IHRD Commemorative Lecture that Professor Sliwa will deliver at 5 p.m.

I hope that you will be able to attend, as together we honour the memory of those who perished in the Holocaust, support those who continue to grieve, and reaffirm our collective commitment to fighting hatred in all its forms.

Sincerely,

Deep Saini
President and Vice-Chancellor

Reflections for the holidays 2024

deidre.mccabe@��.Ca — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 16:14:33 +0000

Reflections for the holidays 2024 deidre.mccabe@… Tue, 12/17/2024 - 11:14

Dear members of the �� community,

The last few weeks of December are always filled with much anticipation. Final exams are wrapping up and the holiday season is on the horizon. As we look forward to a new year, and all the hope and promise that it holds, this is a natural time for reflection.

Looking back over the semester, many bright moments stand out for me. This fall, we celebrated The Neuro’s 90th anniversary, announced a new centre for early childhood development, and launched exciting initiatives to bolster innovation and entrepreneurship across the University. Meanwhile, significant progress is being made on the New Vic Project, which will accelerate ��’s contributions as a leader in sustainability and public policy, while tackling some of the most pressing global challenges of our time.

These achievements, along with numerous others, reflect our community’s unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and the wellbeing of society. They also remind us of our collective resilience and ability to embrace and overcome challenges.

These qualities will serve us well as we continue navigate the road ahead. The challenges that �� faces, while significant, offer a unique opportunity for us to reimagine and strengthen our University in transformative ways together.

So many of you are already working hard to write this new chapter for our University; throughout, you have shown remarkable adaptability and ingenuity, along with an unshakable commitment to ��’s mission. For all your contributions and efforts, I am extremely grateful.

Reflecting on the new year ahead, I look forward to continuing to chart our way forward together with renewed purpose and energy. Until then, I wish you a well-deserved break and a most enjoyable holiday season with family and friends.

With warmest regards,

Deep Saini
President and Vice-Chancellor
��

Messages to Community

Gaza situation and support reminders

The belief that drives us forward

Court rules on tuition increases, French proficiency

Injunction granted to protect ������’s academic activities

Injunction to protect ������’s academic activities

Vandalism on Campus

Resources

For students

For faculty and staff

������’s Climate and Sustainability Strategy (2025-2030)

National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Reflections for the holidays 2024

Injunction granted to protect ��’s academic activities

Injunction to protect ��’s academic activities

��’s Climate and Sustainability Strategy (2025-2030)