B.C. Universities Graded on Upholding Freedom of Speech

Canada has it pretty good. There are options in this country to pursue a higher education and we expect in these institutions that are right to freedom of speech and expression will be upheld, yet for some of Canada's Universities those fundamental rights are restricted.

According to a study by the Justice Centre for Consitutional Freedoms, ten Canadian universities have been deemed as “upholding free expression,” and a couple of B.C. institutions made the list. The report by Michael Kennedy and John Carpay outlines the state of campus free speech for each university in Canada, indicating the index level with a five-tier letter scale system.

Photo Credit: UBCO Facebook

“The Campus Freedom Index grades universities and student unions on their stated policies (what they say) and their practices (what they do). Each university receives four letter grades for each university policies, university practices, student union policies, and student union practices,” explained the report.

Sadly, the results are discouraging: with 208 grades awarded to 52 different institutions, Canada's universities and student unions received only five 'A' grades in 2014. On the other hand, an 'F' grade was given a total of 33 times.

“In total, 24 campuses earned at least one 'F.' Put another way, this means that almost half of the universities studied have engaged in the censorship of student expression on campus, and have thus failed in their duty to protect free expression rights,” read the report.

Based on the grades, the ten worst universities for upholding free expression are:

• Cape Breton University
• Lakehead University
• McGill University
• Mount Allison University
• Saint Mary’s University
• University of Ottawa
• University of the Fraser Valley
• University of Waterloo
• Vancouver Island University
• York University

The grading criteria for this study was based on several components such as, anti-disruption policies, student election policies, codes of conduct, the legal obligation of universities to defend free expression; security fee policies, and booking policies for events and displays.

Ryerson University, Simon Fraser University, St. Thomas University, University of King's College, and the University of Lethbridge all tied for the best institutions to uphold freedom of speech.

University of British Columbia, which encompasses the UBCO campus received a 'C' for policies and a 'C for practices. Practices shifted down from an 'A' in 2013. UBC received a 'D' for both policies and practices in the Student Union.

Photo Credit: UBCO Facebook

Photo Credit: UBCO Facebook.