CONFEDERATION OF UNIVERSITY FACULTY ASSOCIATIONS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
CUFA BC Joins Call for Minister's Resignation, Stands in Solidarity with FPSE & CAUT

The Confederation of University Faculty Associations of British Columbia (CUFA BC) joins the call for the resignation of Hon. Selina Robinson, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. We stand in solidarity with the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of BC (FPSE) and the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) in their defense of faculty rights and institutional autonomy. The FPSE and CAUT released a call on February 1 for the resignation of the Hon. Minister Robinson following allegations of ministerial interference in the termination of a faculty member at Langara College for making controversial remarks on the war in Gaza.

"We unconditionally uphold the democratic principles of freedom of expression, academic freedom, and collective agreement rights to due process and natural justice," says CUFA BC President Ken Christie. "We commit to defending a public post-secondary system free of direct interference by the provincial government."

Earlier this week, we expressed our concerns with Minister Robinson and Premier David Eby, and called for the Province to protect the existing right to institutional autonomy in BC's universities. We share in FPSE's disappointment over the Minister's actions and are especially alarmed by comments suggesting she has pressured college and university presidents in BC to police speech related to the war in Gaza.

We have unequivocally said it is inappropriate for a government official to undermine the public institutions within their jurisdiction. We expect more from the leaders in this province. Most importantly, we seek reassurance that our leaders understand the responsibility and limits of their ministerial positions.