Student association asks Quebec to scrap Bill 32 on academic freedom

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More ministerial power “goes against the very principles of academic freedom,” a teachers’ association added as consultations on the bill began.

The Canadian Press

Caroline Plante

Danielle McCann, Quebec's minister of higher education.
Danielle McCann, Quebec’s minister of higher education. Photo by Paul Chiasson /The Canadian Pressfiles

QUEBEC — Bill 32an Act Respecting Academic Freedom in the University Sector, was heavily criticized Tuesday as consultations on the legislation began.

The Quebec Student Union, which represents 91,000 university students, started by demanding the bill be scrapped completely.

It said that instead of legislating, the government should encourage universities to develop statements of principles so they can maintain their autonomy.

If it insists on a law, the government should first eliminate Article 6, said union president Jonathan Desroches. That article gives the minister of higher education the power to “order an educational institution to include in its policy any element indicated by the minister” or “have the necessary corrections made.”

The Fédération nationale des enseignantes et des enseignants du Québec (FNEEQ) said it was in favor of Bill 32, but only if Article 6 would be amended.


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