Quebec Premier François Legault has warned against bringing foreign tensions into his province.
“The Quebec government will not tolerate the Middle East conflict to be imported into Quebec,” he wrote in a post to X on Tuesday.
Legault shared an article to accompany his statement, highlighting that Quebec Minister of Higher Education Pascale Déry launched an administrative inquiry into two of the province’s anglophone post-secondary institutions.
Déry confirmed in her own post to X that the ministry had received reports from students citing insecurity and unease on these campuses.
“We know that the conflict in the Middle East generates its share of emotions, but institutions have an obligation to take all necessary steps to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all students,” said Déry.
She added that she had instructed the ministry to investigate whether Dawson College and Vanier College had taken all the necessary measures to guarantee students’ physical and psychological safety.
Vanier College told True North it was surprised at Déry’s announcement, considering it had not received any internal complaints that would warrant any such investigation.
“The conflict in the Middle East has had numerous repercussions around the world and particularly on campuses, and Vanier College has taken this matter very seriously,” reads a statement from the college shared with True North. “Fostering a respectful and welcoming environment is at the heart of the Vanier culture. A number of proactive initiatives have been deployed, and the College has swiftly addressed breaches to the Code of Conduct or policies.”
Vanier College said it would collaborate with the Ministry of Education to ensure that it fosters a welcoming environment.
“We expect the findings of the investigation to be made public to ensure any required measures may be taken in this regard,” said the college.
Dawson College shared a statement with True North as well, echoing that while the college had yet to receive information about the investigation, it would collaborate fully with the ministry.
“The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has stirred emotions around the world, including at Dawson College. The College’s priority is to fulfill its mission of education and to provide an atmosphere that is conducive to learning and working where all members of the Dawson community feel safe,” reads a statement from the college shared with True North. “As a place of higher learning, Dawson College must balance upholding the right to freedom of expression while ensuring that laws and policies are respected.”
Déry gave examples of students filing complaints to her ministry, according to CBC. One example was of a math teacher allegedly teaching students about the history of Palestine instead of mathematics.
An executive for the Dawson Teachers’ Union told True North that the examples cited by Déry were “inaccurate.”
“The biggest threat to the learning environment is Minister Déry’s drastic budget cuts, which she is trying hard to distract from,” said the executive.
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs issued a joint statement with its French division applauding the investigation.
“As we have said for months, the vitriolic attacks on our shared values taking place in our educational institutions must end now,” reads the statement.
The Jewish advocacy group said it will continue to help the institution and ministries throughout the process.
“We hope the investigation will shed light on the past 14 months’ disturbing pattern of hate and lead to an effective approach to tackle the crisis. As we have said for months, the vitriolic attacks on our shared values taking place in our educational institutions must end now,” reads the statement. “Students have the right to learn in a secure environment free from intimidation, hate, and harassment. We welcome this important step in the right direction in the fight to defend our society and reiterate our ongoing commitment to support students during this challenging time.”