A campus student union at York University shut down a planned public discussion on jobs and unemployment this week, according to Conservative MP Garnett Genuis.
Genuis said in a post on X on Wednesday that the event, scheduled for Friday at York University, was cancelled by a decision of the York Federation of Students.
“I have disappointing news to share about further attacks on free speech,” Genuis wrote. “My event at York University (scheduled for this Friday) is now cancelled due to a decision of the student union not to allow it.”
Genuis said the event format was straightforward and had been used without incident at universities across the country.
“We’ve done the same event concept at universities in four provinces without incident,” he wrote. “I stand in a public area in front of a banner and talk to students as they walk by about jobs and unemployment. But the student union at York won’t allow it.”
Genuis said he was surprised by the decision and invited students interested in discussing employment issues to contact his office directly.
“York students who want to talk about jobs and unemployment should please contact my office,” he wrote. “I still want to hear your stories.”
The cancellation adds to the ongoing debate over free expression on Canadian university campuses, particularly concerning the role of left-leaning student unions in restricting political activity.