University of Ottawa | Five seats are reserved for ethnic or indigenous candidates

Lee Carrier
Press

Last November, the University of Ottawa posted a public law professorship intended only for ethnic or indigenous candidates. The call for applications is reminiscent of what Laval University started, which created quite a stir this week, with the exception of whites who are not actually disabled.

In the posting, the University of Ottawa stated its commitment to the Law School and the organization’s “Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan”, which aims to address the issue of under-representation of ethnic or indigenous peoples in its faculty.

“People who want to be considered part of these groups are asked to be self-identifying,” it says.

By email, the University of Ottawa indicates that it has created five reserved seats for race or indigenous candidates in 2021-2022. ” [L’objectif est que] It reflects the need for faculty to serve students and to whom they serve as role models, ”explained Isabelle Mylox, a spokeswoman for the organization.

This week, the university became the center of controversy after posting a position in the Canadian Research Chair in Laval Biology, which stated that only women, aborigines, the disabled, or visible minority members could be included. Considered.

Unlike the University of Ottawa, which seeks to reach its own goals, University Laval has set its own selection criteria to achieve the representative representation goals required for the Research Chairs of Canada, which is funded by the Federal Government.

The show, shared by comedian Guy Nantel on Twitter, led to a lively discussion on positive discrimination.

Politicians of all banners, including the Quebec Deputy Premier, Genevieve Gilbolt, were outraged, calling the candidates’ call exaggerated or discriminatory.

“Strong support” from teachers

Susan Sprank, president of the University of Ottawa Professors’ Association, said she noted that there was “strong support” from her members for such activities aimed at diversifying faculty.

The collective agreement also allows for preferential appointment when the University deems it appropriate.

“The main question is whether we have a faculty that reflects Canadian society,” she said.^Me Sprank. She described the union as having “no access to data on groups identified by its members” as “confidential information”.

This kind of presentation provokes discomfort in some teachers, Mrs.^Me Sprank replies, “It’s a conversation that sometimes creates dialogue, but there is openness to the ways in which it reflects the Canadian community.”

“To the best of my knowledge, I have not seen any such limited postings,” confirmed Luke Angers, vice-president of the University of Ottawa’s Association of Part-Time Professors.

He said he understood that the university wanted to diversify its faculty, but was surprised at the process it chose to achieve. Angers said. “We want the best candidate, with the most experience,” he argues.