Sent on behalf of OCUFA Executive Director Jenny Anh
Dear Colleagues,
We wanted to provide you with an update regarding the status of Bill 213 and the provision to grant the Canada Christian College university status (schedule 2 of the bill).
On Monday, the official opposition moved a motion in the Legislature condemning the hateful views of Charles McVety and calling on the government to pull schedule 2 of Bill 213. After a lengthy debate, the motion passed in the House with all three opposition parties voting in favour and a number of the government’s MPPs choosing to abstain. It is important to note that this was a non-binding motion and would not impact the legislative process for the passage of Bill 213. The passage of the motion, however, signals the impact that public pressure and advocacy on this issue particularly from constituents in different ridings, is having on government MPPs.
I want to congratulate you all on the work you have done in pushing back against the CCC’s hate and infringement on protected rights. Your many letters and advocacy during advocacy week have contributed to bringing MPPs’ attention to this matter and this movement in the House.
There are more opportunities to push back against the passage of schedule 2 in the next few days. Bill 213 has been referred to the Standing Committee on General Government for consideration. The committee will be holding public hearings on Friday, November 27 and Monday, November 30.
You can request to appear before the Standing Committee at one of the scheduled hearings. You must do so by 5pm today, Wednesday, November 25. You will need to fill out this form to request to appear before the committee. Please let us know if you have made this request.
You can also send a written submission to the committee by 7pm on Monday, November 30. This can be the letter you’ve already issued, modified to address the committee.
Thank you for your leadership on this important topic, and please let me know if you have any questions.
Best regards,
Jenny J.H. Ahn
Executive Director
Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA)
17 Isabella Street
Toronto, ON Canada M4Y 1M7