As news of U.S. President Donald Trump’s early executive orders spread across news channels at the end of January, many Canadians and citizens around the world were alarmed by the swiftness of the move to close borders and target Muslim majority countries. Civil liberties lawyers and groups analyzed and challenged the text; many worried at home; thousands participated in public demonstrations at places like airports and embassies to make their opinions on the importance of openness and inclusion heard.
The university and research community was an early and important public voice, across the U.S. and Canada, to speak out on the dangers of the orders — not just for their impact on research and the free flow of ideas and scholars, but for their affront to values that are at the heart of the role of universities and higher education throughout society. As the national voice for the humanities and social science research community, the Federation released its own media statement on Monday, January 30, noting “the value academics in the humanities and social sciences place on transformational ideas shared in an open, globally-connected forum.” Many member associations and institutions across Canada have similarly released statements of concern.
For reference and use by members and the public, the Federation is listing here all members’ statements gathered to date. We would be pleased to update this list as more information is sent to us.
Please note that the effect of the orders remains in question given ongoing judicial appeals and the situation remains in flux. The Federation will continue to monitor the situation with regards to the impact on travel for students and scholars, and particularly as it relates to Congress 2017.
Canadian Association for Graduate Studies
The Canadian Association for the Study of International Development
The Canadian Association of Geographers
Canadian Economics Association
Canadian Historical Association
Canadian Political Science Association
The Canadian Society for the Study of Education
Canadian Sociological Association
Cape Breton University
Dalhousie University
McGill University
McMaster University
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Mount Allison University
Mount Saint Vincent University
Queen’s University
Ryerson University
Simon Fraser University
Thompson Rivers University
Universities Canada
The University of British Columbia
University of Calgary
University of Toronto
University of Waterloo
Western University
Association of American Universities
Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities