I have filed a complaint against Laval University. A position that matched my experience [professeur d’histoire du Québec et du Canada]but straight white men are excluded, the professor wrote on Twitter on Sunday.
Frédéric Bastien considers that the advertisement for the post of holder of the Canada Research Chair in History at the Université Laval was discriminatory. The professor believes that he meets the other criteria for the position, particularly through his experience and the required training. There was no question that I could apply. I was expelled without even being able to submit my application. It’s reverse racism, it’s anti-white racism, believes the former candidate for the leadership of the Parti Québécois.
The Université Laval defines the selection criteria for Canada Research Chairs on its website. It invites all qualified individuals to apply to its faculty, especially women, visible and ethnic minorities, aboriginal people and people with disabilities, we can read there. The issue of sexual orientation is never mentioned, contrary to what Mr Bastien claims in his tweet.
“Racism against blacks is unacceptable, against all skin color is unacceptable. They never imagined UL or the Canada Chairs program saying, “There’s an opening here, but this position is white only.” That makes no sense. Anyone would have gone behind the curtains for good reason. In the opposite direction, it is no longer acceptable. »
— A quote from Frédéric Bastien, Professor of History at Dawson College
This is Frédéric Bastien’s second appeal before the Human Rights Commission. In June, the historian filed a complaint against the University of Quebec at Rimouski (UQAR). He raised a case of discrimination based on political beliefs. Frédéric Bastien wanted to rent a room at UQAR to give a lecture on the patriation of Canada’s constitution, which the university refused. Mr. Bastien claims that this rejection stems from his political ideas, which are not very popular in university circles.
The communications officers of the UQAR refute this argument and justify this refusal with technical reasons instead.
The university abides by the rules
According to Laval University, Mr. Bastien’s case is non-discriminatory and meets Ottawa requirements. The federally funded Canada Research Chairs program has equity, diversity and inclusion requirements. The university only applies the rules, stresses Andrée-Anne Stewart, deputy director of the communications department at Université Laval.
As long as the research chairs [ne seront pas pourvues] We cannot open to everyone from people from these four underrepresented groups, the spokesman specifies.
All universities in Canada are subject to the same practices and requirements. When they reach it, it opens up to a larger number. We hope to achieve our goals at the university soon, adds Ms. Stewart.
She recalls that of the 371 positions that have been filled since 2017, 12 have been filled according to federal criteria. Ms. Stewart defends that the values of openness and fairness are central to the values of the university.
To ponder
Mr Bastien’s case highlights a larger problem, according to Louis-Philippe Lampron, president of the Union of Professors and Professors at Laval University.
“We understand it can be controversial. The fact that this is mandatory in order to apply for professorships […]these criteria are imposed from outside the university […] From a trade union point of view, this worries us more. »
— A quote from Louis-Philippe Lampron, President of the Union of Professors at Laval University
More and more university partners are finding themselves able, through the money they choose to invest, and we will attach conditions to that money, to influence the criteria that will be used to select new or new teachers. There are bigger concerns here, says the law professor.
He agrees with Université Laval’s position that the Confederation dictates its criteria.
Quebec Minister of Higher Education Pascale Déry says they disagree with the criteria the federal government is imposing on Canada’s research chairs.
A policy of discrimination that leads to the exclusion of potential candidates is not permitted. We favor a competency-based process and give preference to applications from members of minorities with the same qualifications. Keep in mind that grants to Canada Research Chairs are subject to criteria of equity, diversity and inclusion set by the federal government, otherwise the money simply won’t be awarded.
With information from Guylaine Bussière