[Fdu] Ryerson U Nov 7 Event: Resist Doug Ford's Attack on Education - Pls. Circulate

[Cynthia Wright]

Circulate Widely

*A**n Interactive Panel Discussion *

*/Resist Doug Ford’s Attack on Education /*

*Wednesday, November 7, 2018 @ 6:30PM*

*in RCC 204 Lecture Theatre**

*Ryerson University*

**RCC 204 *(Rogers Communications Centre, 80 Gould Street at the corner 
of Gould/Church)

American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters will be available

**

*Doug Ford’s attack on secondary schools and universities began almost 
immediately after he became the premier of Ontario: he scrapped the 
current sex ed curriculum in schools and imposed under threat of funding 
cuts specific edicts on universities and colleges.  The Ontario 
government on August 30, 2018 required universities to frame and post 
free speech policy by January 1, 2019. At first glance, such a directive 
would seem to promote ‘free speech’ on campus – until one learns that 
the policy has to conform to University of Chicago Principles of Free 
Expression. Ford government’s directive expressly forbids protest that 
“obstruct or interfere” with speech, even if it is hateful or causes 
harm; his edict also polices the conduct of students, student 
unions/student groups and faculty and staff under threat of “operating 
grant funding” cuts to universities and colleges 
(see:https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2018/08/upholding-free-speech-on-ontarios-university-and-college-campuses.html). 
*

**

*However, the resulting promotion of unbridled freedom of expression in 
the statements issued so far by Canadian Universities could potentially 
harm targeted and racialized individuals and groups – against which 
thelatter will not have any protection. They may also violate Canadian 
hate laws, and threaten the right to dissent and protest. A serious 
consequence of Ford’s edict is that existing student disciplinary 
measures will apply to students whose actions, i.e., to protest, could 
conceivably result in suspension or expulsion. This could potentially 
magnify harm.*

**

*Further, Ford has repealed the 2015 sex ed curriculum and forced the 
return to the regressive 1998 curriculum that fails to address issues 
around consent, LGBTQ2+ rights, and gender identity and puts students at 
risk for sexual violence. In his attack on secondary and postsecondary 
rights Ford’s actions thus specifically threaten to harm vulnerable 
populations*.

**

*An excellent panel of speakers will outline the issues for an 
interactive discussion:*

**

*Rinaldo Walcott – *Professor & Director of the Women and Gender Studies 
Institute at UofT

*Rayne Fisher-Quinn – *High School Student and Activist

*Hermis Azam –*Ryerson Student/Fightback

*Sigrid Kneve and Sue-Lynn Manone*-- Indigenous Grassroots Community and 
Aunties Council of Tkaronto

***Join us to resist Ford’s edicts*

*Sponsored by Equity Committee of the Ryerson Faculty Association*



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