In addition, the political scientist notes that Laurentian “seems to have kept only lucrative programs in French, to the detriment of the real value of certain programs for the sustainability of the Franco-Ontarian community”.
“It shows what we have known for a long time: that Laurentian was only an institution for the Francophone community when it suited it.”
When we consult the list of affected departments, particularly the programs in French, “we realize that it is the heart and soul of the francophone community in northern Ontario that is beset with the cuts.”
Mobilization well underway
Will it be necessary to organize demonstrations again and bring together tens of thousands of Franco-Ontarians, as was the case in response to Black Thursday?
“We hope that this will not be necessary, especially in a period of COVID-19, an event like in 2018, it would be ill advised. But we hope that the government has heard the various positions taken from the public, the community, the AFO petition, and from the pan-Canadian faculty who have expressed their support. The mobilization is already there, we can only hope that these voices will be heard as far as Queen’s Park. ”
“I am ashamed”
In Queen’s Park, in fact, the New Democrat member for Nickel Belt France Gélinas described the treatment of employees by the University as shameful.
“The Francophone community has the right to university programs in French in northern Ontario,” chanted the New Democrat in the chamber on Monday morning, addressing Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Colleges and Universities Ross Romano . Each program offered in French, in political science or in literature, in economics or in history, is the result of several years of work before having access to it, and the government stays there without even lifting a finger, without saying a word. , as 40 French-language programs disappear and dozens of teachers lose their jobs. I am ashamed.”
“It is very worrying and regrettable that Laurentian University has had to take such drastic measures to put its finances back in order,” said a spokesperson for the Ministry of Francophone Affairs in an email sent to Le Droit. We are monitoring the situation closely. Our priority is the continuity of learning for Laurentian students. ”
“Proportionately, we provide much more funding to Laurentian University than to other institutions. Grants provided by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities represented over 40% of Laurentian’s total income in 2019-20, compared to an average of 23% for the entire university sector. ”
However, the office of Minister Caroline Mulroney has refrained from reacting further to the situation, given that “the government is not participating in the CCAA (Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act) process” and that it would be “inappropriate to make any further comments”.
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