Quebec launches investigation into student safety at Dawson, Vanier around Middle East conflict

Quebec is launching an investigation of Dawson College and Vanier College in Montreal over complaints about student safety in the context of the conflict in the Middle East.

Higher Education Minister Pascale Déry has asked her department to investigate several complaints of students feeling “uneasy and even unsafe” on campus.

The investigation will look into the governance mechanisms in place at the two CEGEPs to see whether school administrations have used all available tools to guarantee student safety.

“There are several complaints, of several types, and that is what I want the investigation mandate to focus on, that is to say, the climate that has deteriorated over the last few months, over the last few weeks,” Déry told reporters at the National Assembly Tuesday.

“We have enough elements that lead us to believe that there are issues, whether in terms of pedagogy or governance mechanisms.”

The complaints and investigation are against the backdrop of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, and recent student strikes held across Quebec campuses denouncing the hostilities.

On Nov. 21, Dawson College closed their campus due to one of the student mobilizations, citing “numerous emails and calls from community members expressing concern for the safety of students and employees” on the day of the strike.

In a statement to CityNews, Vanier College said it was surprised by the announcement because it did not receive “any complaints internally that would warrant such an approach.”

“The conflict in the Middle East has had numerous repercussions around the world and particularly on campuses, and Vanier College has taken this matter very seriously,” a spokesperson said. “Fostering a respectful and welcoming environment is at the heart of the Vanier culture.”

Vanier says it has deployed several “proactive initiatives” and “swiftly addressed breaches to the Code of Conduct or policies.”

“The College will be collaborating fully with the Minister’s team to ensure that our campus remains a welcoming environment for all members of our community. We expect the findings of the investigation to be made public as to ensure any required measures may be taken in this regard.”

Minister Déry has appointed officials under section 29 of the Act respecting general and vocational colleges, to verify whether Vanier and Dawson “have taken all measures at their disposal to guarantee the physical and psychological safety of students.”

“The climate in some CEGEPs is becoming more and more toxic. The situation is getting worse, and incidents are piling up. Hateful speech from students who are being bullied and who fear for their safety,” Déry wrote in a recent post on the social network X.

Déry did not specify the specific reasons why these two CEGEPs were particularly named, but she did refer to the “accumulation of denunciations.”

“The right of students to evolve in a healthy and safe environment is non-negotiable,” she said.

CityNews reached out to Déry’s office for comment, which referred us back to the minister’s social post. CityNews also reached out to Dawson College, but did not immediately receive a response.

-With files from La Presse Canadienne