Messages to Community

Final Report of the Advisory Panel on Campus Expression

deidre.mccabe@��Թ�.Ca — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 18:55:15 +0000

Final Report of the Advisory Panel on Campus Expression deidre.mccabe@… Thu, 01/29/2026 - 13:55

Dear members of the ��Թ� community,

I am pleased to share the Final Report of the Advisory Panel on Campus Expression (“Panel”) and to offer my response to it.

The Panel was established approximately one year ago to advise how ��Թ� can uphold freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and academic freedom while ensuring a safe and inclusive campus environment. The Panel was tasked with reviewing these issues specifically in connection with situations involving invited guest speakers whose views sparked controversy, caused offence, or were seen as posing a risk to physical or psychological safety. The Panel also took the opportunity of its work to explore and offer recommendations on other, cognate issues.

This Panel undertook its work at a moment when universities have become flashpoints for debates about speech, its limits, and the responsibilities of academic institutions. Institutions like ours are expected to lead on these questions even as society experiences unprecedented polarization.

I want to thank the Panel members for accepting and carrying out a complex mandate and for the skill and energy that they brought to their work. I also extend appreciation to the students, faculty, and staff who contributed to the consultation sessions. The Panel’s report reflects thoughtful engagement across our community, and I accept its recommendations, many of which affirm existing commitments and activities, in principle. We will now begin moving toward their implementation.

With reference to its core mandate, the Panel has recommended the creation of an Event Risk Assessment Committee (ERAC) to ensure transparent, principled decision‑making when events featuring external speakers present clear safety risks or threaten to obstruct academic activities. We will establish an ERAC in due course.

On other related issues, the Panel’s recommendations are also constructive, such as those related to:

Renewing and clarifying academic freedom, which is a professional freedom grounded in scholarly standards and corresponding duties, as distinct from the universal right to freedom of expression. The Panel calls upon ��Թ� to strengthen understandings of each freedom and their limits, and build capacity and support for those engaged in teaching and learning so that they clearly understand their rights and responsibilities.

Adopting an approach to institutional communications about geopolitics premised on restraint. This aligns closely with the practice we have already been following, that is, communicating in a manner consistent with the University’s academic mission to avoid a perception that ��Թ� is taking positions on matters beyond its remit. Rather than issuing broad institutional statements, we have focused on direct outreach and support to students and community members most affected by geopolitical conflict and/or humanitarian crises. This includes connecting students and colleagues with resources to support success and well‑being.

Sustaining a principled, transparent approach to campus expression and protest that affirms the value of such expression, while clarifying its limits set by law and ��Թ�’s policies, and that such limits are applied in a content-neutral, proportionate, and clearly articulated manner.

While I value the Report’s insights, I also want to acknowledge a perspective that is less prominent in its narrative, but no less real. As President, I have heard often in recent months from individuals who feel that free expression on campus has at times been conflated with objectively harmful conduct.

I have listened to those who have felt unprotected in moments where they have faced direct aggression and intimidation, and I understand the harm they have endured, having personally experienced such acts myself. I share this not to elicit sympathy, but to underscore that such indignities must never be part of the experience of any ��Թ� student or colleague.

I am grateful to the Panel for unequivocally affirming that violence, intimidation, and vandalism fall outside the protections of expression. ��Թ� must remain a place where open expression thrives, even when difficult.

At the same time, I want to be equally clear that hate and violence have no place in our University. Rejecting them is not only a matter of safety; it reflects who we are. What binds our community — across disciplines, identities, and perspectives — is our shared dedication to the pursuit of knowledge, to intellectual inquiry, and to the principles that make such inquiry possible: curiosity, integrity, and respect.

These commitments have sustained ��Թ� for generations. They must guide us now, as we navigate complex tensions and seek to restore trust across differences.

As we implement the Panel’s recommendations, I call on members of the ��Թ� community to recommit to a higher order of engagement and civil discourse. Across the many, many discussions I have had on issues related to our campus climate, the prevailing theme that emerges is aspiration, particularly, for deeper listening, clearer and more inclusive processes, and more courageous dialogue.

I was especially encouraged by a meeting of ��Թ� student leaders last November who were invited to envision a future campus grounded in courageous dialogue and relationship‑building amid global polarization. Their ideas were inspiring and offer a foundation for campus‑wide efforts to build our collective capacity for constructive, respectful dialogue.

Thank you again to the Panel and to all who contributed to its important work.

Sincerely,

Deep Saini

President and Vice-Chancellor

��Թ�

Reflections for the Holidays 2025

deidre.mccabe@��Թ�.Ca — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 13:16:31 +0000

Reflections for the Holidays 2025 deidre.mccabe@… Wed, 12/17/2025 - 08:16

Dear members of the ��Թ� community,

As the holiday season approaches and the year draws to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on the last few months and to express my gratitude to every member of the ��Թ� community — our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends.

In a context of ongoing challenges, your diverse and numerous contributions have not only continued to propel our mission forward but have also distinguished and strengthened ��Թ� in meaningful ways.

This semester marked a significant moment in the life of our University, as we turned our focus to ��Թ�’s future and the priorities that will shape it. Together, we began the important work of reimagining ��Թ� as a university that transforms with purpose to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world, as an institution with bold global ambitions, firmly rooted in Quebec and committed to its flourishing, and as a community united by our shared pursuit of excellence and dedication to our academic mission.

Throughout this process of reimagining, I have been inspired by the generosity of our community. Your energy, insights, and, above all, your deep care for our University’s future reaffirm that it is our people who make ��Թ� the remarkable institution that it is.

As we prepare to enter the new year, I am energized by the momentum we have created and look forward to more opportunities to engage around our priorities and the future we will build together.

In the meantime, I wish you all a wonderful holiday season. May this time of year bring many opportunities for rest, connection, and renewed inspiration.

With warmest wishes,

Deep Saini

President and Vice-Chancellor

��Թ�

Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

deidre.mccabe@��Թ�.Ca — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 14:33:58 +0000

Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women deidre.mccabe@… Thu, 11/27/2025 - 09:33

Dear members of the ��Թ� community,

Saturday, December 6, is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women – a day when people across Canada pause to remember the 14 women who were murdered, and the 14 others who were injured, in the massacre that took place at Polytechnique Montréal on December 6, 1989.

In 1991, ��Թ�’s Senate adopted a resolution stating that, “this violence cannot be forgotten by this generation or any other.” In accordance with the resolution, on December 3, the final day of fall classes, our community will observe a minute of silence at 10:37 a.m.

Later in the week, on Friday, December 5, ��Թ�’s flags will fly at half-staff and members of the ��Թ� community are invited to attend a memorial at 12:00 p.m., which will take place at the commemorative site located in front of University Centre, 3480 McTavish Street.

Even in these busy final days of the semester, I urge you to take a moment to reflect on our shared responsibility to build a society where women and girls can live free from violence.

Sincerely,

Deep Saini

President and Vice-Chancellor

Angela Campbell appointed Provost and Executive Vice-President (Academic)

deidre.mccabe@��Թ�.Ca — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 15:52:31 +0000

Angela Campbell appointed Provost and Executive Vice-President (Academic) deidre.mccabe@… Thu, 11/13/2025 - 10:52

Dear members of the ��Թ� community, 

I am delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Angela Campbell as ��Թ�’s new Provost and Executive Vice-President (Academic).  

The Board of Governors approved her appointment following the recommendation of the Advisory Committee for the Selection of the Provost and Executive Vice-President (Academic). 

Professor Campbell’s five-year, renewable term begins February 1, 2026. In the meantime, she will continue in her current role of Interim Deputy Provost (Student Life and Learning)

A committed and tireless ��Թ� leader 

Professor Campbell is a member in the Faculty of Law, specializing in Family, Health and Criminal Law. Her research has been funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, La Fondation du Barreau du Québec, La Chambre des notaires du Québec, and the Foundation for Legal Research. She is a recipient of the John W. Durnford Teaching Excellence Award and the Graduate Law Students’ Association’s Graduate Teaching Award. 

Her previous leadership roles have included Associate Dean (Graduate Studies) and Associate Provost (Equity and Academic Policies).

In addition to her impressive academic achievements and proven leadership record, the Advisory Committee recommended Professor Campbell’s appointment in recognition of her deep commitment to ��Թ�’s mission and its community. She is a skilled consensus builder, a dedicated academic colleague and a strong advocate for student voices. As a bilingual Montrealer, she brings a nuanced understanding of the political, economic and cultural dynamics that shape the ��Թ� context.

I invite you to read this article in the ��Թ� Reporter, to learn more about Professor Campbell’s priorities.

Gratitude for Provost Manfredi’s leadership

Professor Campbell will be taking over from Professor Christopher Manfredi who, since 2015, has helped guide ��Թ� as our Provost and most senior academic leader. He has also played an integral role in the development of institutional priorities,  including  our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan, our Plan to Address Anti-Black Racism, and our  52 Calls to Action. 

We cannot overstate our gratitude to him, including for the coming months, as he works with Professor Campbell on the transition to her tenure. Tributes to Professor Manfredi will be organized towards the end of his current appointment. 

Last, but not least, I wish to extend my thanks to the members of the Advisory Committee for their work on the search for our new Provost and Executive Vice-President (Academic).  

Sincerely, 

Deep Saini 
President and Vice-Chancellor

Gaza situation and support reminders

deidre.mccabe@��Թ�.Ca — Wed, 21 May 2025 13:25:50 +0000

Gaza situation and support reminders deidre.mccabe@… Wed, 05/21/2025 - 09:25

Dear members of the ��Թ� community,

Many of us are watching the escalation of human suffering in Gaza with alarm. While thousands of kilometres away, many members of the ��Թ� community are touched at a human level by the scale and impact of the crisis unfolding, which threatens to intensify over the coming days.

To reiterate my past messages, ��Թ�, as a university, must remain mindful of its academic mission and refrain from commenting or taking a position on a geopolitical crisis. That said, we will always express compassion for and extend care to our community members affected by international emergencies.

If you need support, please do not hesitate to reach out. Resources are set out below.

Sincerely,

Deep Saini
President and Vice Chancellor
��Թ�

Resources   

For students:   

The Student Wellness Hub offers counselling services for students located in Montreal.     
GuardMe is a service accessible 24/7 whenever you need to speak (or text) with a mental health professional for support. You can access GuardMe from anywhere in the world.

For faculty and staff:     

The Employee & Family Assistance Program is available to ��Թ� employees as a confidential support service.

The belief that drives us forward

deidre.mccabe@��Թ�.Ca — Wed, 07 May 2025 13:35:21 +0000

The belief that drives us forward deidre.mccabe@… Wed, 05/07/2025 - 09:35

Dear members of the ��Թ� community,

As we conclude another academic year together, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the collective efforts that have brought us here. Over the past year, ��Թ�’s students, faculty, and staff have shown a remarkable commitment to ��Թ�’s mission, all while navigating the complex challenges impacting our University and the higher education sector more broadly.

In just a few weeks, we will enter ��Թ�’s 2025 Convocation season – an opportunity to recognize many of the stellar achievements made possible by these concerted efforts. At a time of significant challenges for ��Թ�, occasions such as these are important reminders of what unites and motivates us to forge ahead: the transformative power of education to expand knowledge, spark discovery – and, ultimately, to change lives.

It is a fundamental, unshakable belief animating all that we do, and it will continue to guide us as we work to protect ��Թ�’s mission and place as one of the world’s top institutions of higher education.

I look forward to celebrating the Class of 2025, our honorary doctorate and award recipients, and all members of our community who have supported our graduates throughout their journeys. Thank you for your wide-ranging contributions over the past year and for your continued dedication to strengthening ��Թ�’s future.

Wishing you a summer filled with well-deserved rest, renewal, and enjoyment.

Sincerely,

Deep Saini
President and Vice-Chancellor
��Թ�

Court rules on tuition increases, French proficiency

rosalie.nardelli@mcgill.ca — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 22:11:41 +0000

Court rules on tuition increases, French proficiency rosalie.nardel… Thu, 04/24/2025 - 18:11

Dear members of the ��Թ� community,

In February 2024, ��Թ� launched legal proceedings to reverse government changes to tuition for students outside of Quebec and a new francisation requirement. Today, Justice Dufour of the Quebec Superior Court ruled that:

the government regulation, which required new undergraduates from outside Quebec to reach an intermediate proficiency in French, was deemed unreasonable and invalid, and ceases to be in effect immediately
the tuition increases for Canadian students from outside Quebec (undergraduates and students in professional master’s programs) were deemed unreasonable and invalid, and therefore the government has up to nine months to modify its regulations in accordance with the judgement

With respect to international students, the government regulation did not increase tuition, but the government now retains a portion of this tuition. The judgement maintained this measure.

We look forward to working with the Government of Quebec to comply with the ruling rendered by the Court.

We know that many in our community will have questions about the effect of the ruling on the University and particularly tuition for Canadian students from outside Quebec. There is a 30-day period for an appeal. In the meantime, we will review the decision carefully to assess its implications and will keep you updated.

��Թ� remains firmly committed to playing an essential role in Quebec’s economy, talent pipeline, research ecosystem and to contributing to the promotion and vitality of the French language. Thank you for your dedication to ��Թ� as we work to protect its mission and place as one of the world’s top institutions of higher education.

Sincerely,

Deep Saini
President and Vice-Chancellor
��Թ�

Injunction granted to protect ��Թ�’s academic activities

jaylen.gordon@mcgill.ca — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 20:13:14 +0000

Injunction granted to protect ��Թ�’s academic activities jaylen.gordon@… Tue, 04/15/2025 - 16:13

Dear members of the ��Թ� community,

Today, the Superior Court of Quebec granted ��Թ�’s request for a provisional injunction against Students for Palestinian Honour and Resistance (SPHR). In his judgement, Justice Collier noted that “��Թ� has a clear right to an order that allows it to carry out its academic activities without obstruction” and that “��Թ� is entitled to the protection of its property.”

In summary, the Court ruled that SPHR and any person aware of the judgement:

Must not block or obstruct the entrance to any building where ��Թ� is operating.
Must not engage in protests within five metres of any building where ��Թ� is operating.
Must not obstruct the delivery or performance of academic activities such as courses or exams.

The provisional injunction remains in force for 10 days. Read the full text of the judgement.

As I mentioned in my message of April 10, the University applied for the injunction following SPHR’s involvement in classroom obstructions and vandalism during a three-day student strike April 2-4, 2025.

In his decision, the judge recognized the harm done to the ��Թ� community by protest activities that resulted in vandalism, violence, and intimidation tactics. He stated that “Violence, intimidation and the destruction of property cannot be tolerated in this country, least of all at our universities, whose very mission is to foster learning and the expression of opinion through peaceful, respectful dialogue.”

I want to affirm that, on behalf of the University, I will vigorously defend everyone’s right to free expression and peaceful assembly, while also protecting our campus from abuses of these freedoms, especially when they hurt our academic mission or cause injury to others.

Many of you are working steadfastly to maintain stability in our community despite differing viewpoints on a range of very challenging and sensitive topics. Thank you so much for this work, which supports the teaching, learning and research that we so cherish.

Sincerely,

Deep Saini
President and Vice-Chancellor
��Թ�

Injunction to protect ��Թ�’s academic activities

rosalie.nardelli@mcgill.ca — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 00:02:20 +0000

Injunction to protect ��Թ�’s academic activities rosalie.nardel… Thu, 04/10/2025 - 20:02

Dear members of the ��Թ� community,

On April 8, ��Թ� applied to the Superior Court of Quebec to grant a provisional injunction against Students for Palestinian Honour and Resistance (SPHR) to protect the rights of students and staff to pursue their studies and work free from threats, obstructions and harassment. The judge heard our request today and we are awaiting his ruling.

With student exams beginning next week, ��Թ� is asking the Court to prohibit protestors from intimidating or harassing people trying to enter ��Թ� buildings or classrooms, from obstructing academic activities, or from obstructing access to buildings. The University also requested that protestors remain five metres away from buildings used for its operations, whether on or off campus.

The request for the injunction clearly states that the University considers protest by ��Թ� students and staff, within reasonable limits, to be not only permissible but also important. ��Թ� seeks to uphold freedom of expression and peaceful assembly while protecting the rights of students to continue their academic journey without obstruction.

The University applied for the injunction following SPHR’s involvement in classroom obstructions and vandalism during a three-day student strike April 2-4, 2025.

The goal of the injunction is to ensure that the integrity and stability of our academic activities are preserved during this critical period of the school year. We are first and foremost a university, and we must focus on our mission and the rights of our students to undertake their academic pursuits in a peaceful environment that supports their wellbeing and success.

Sincerely,

Deep Saini

President and Vice-Chancellor

��Թ�

Vandalism on Campus

deidre.mccabe@��Թ�.Ca — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 21:02:41 +0000

Vandalism on Campus deidre.mccabe@… Thu, 02/06/2025 - 16:02

Dear ��Թ� community members,

I write you in the wake of last night’s events, when approximately 40 individuals moved quickly across our Downtown Campus – smashing the windows of five buildings in under ten minutes and disrupting ongoing classes and exams involving hundreds of students. Security agents quickly notified police, but the vandals left before they arrived, after causing chaos, extensive damage, and panic among the students, faculty, and staff on site.

I cannot imagine what it must have been like for those nearest to the shattering glass as the shouting mob used stones, bricks, and hammers to destroy the windows. I was deeply relieved to learn that no injuries were reported, but for many, this was a truly terrifying experience. We are reaching out to the instructors of the classes interrupted yesterday evening, to ensure everyone gets the support they need.

We all deserve to work and study in a safe and peaceful environment. Violent actions like these have no place on our campuses or in our society, and they prevent us from delivering on the academic mission that has brought us all together as ��Թ�ians. For these reasons, we will fully enforce our policies and pursue legal accountability wherever appropriate. We expect that arrests will occur.

These acts were intended to intimidate our campus community and bully us into changing the University’s decision regarding proposals from some to Boycott, Divest and Sanction (BDS) the State of Israel. The University’s position rejecting BDS remains clear and firm.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our Grounds, Building Services, Trades, Operations, and Security teams, who worked overnight to ensure all five buildings would be safe, warm, and ready to welcome our community this morning. On behalf of all ��Թ�ians, thank you.

Some of you are understandably feeling shaken, frustrated, and fearful today. Know that I stand with you, that the resources listed below are available to you, and that I will use all available means to keep you safe and protect our community.

Sincerely,

Deep Saini
President and Vice-Chancellor

Resources

For students

The Student Wellness Hub offers counselling services for students located in Montreal. 

Keep.MeSafe is a service accessible 24/7 whenever you need to speak (or text) with a mental health professional for support. You can access Keep.MeSafe from anywhere in the world.

For faculty and staff

The Employee & Family Assistance Program is available to ��Թ� employees as a confidential support service.

Messages to Community

Final Report of the Advisory Panel on Campus Expression

Reflections for the Holidays 2025

Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Angela Campbell appointed Provost and Executive Vice-President (Academic)

Gaza situation and support reminders

The belief that drives us forward

Court rules on tuition increases, French proficiency

Injunction granted to protect ���������Թ�’s academic activities

Injunction to protect ���������Թ�’s academic activities

Vandalism on Campus

Resources

For students

For faculty and staff

Injunction granted to protect ��Թ�’s academic activities

Injunction to protect ��Թ�’s academic activities