The federal New Democrats continue to push for the government to step in and stop the CCAA process at Laurentian University, and to provide funding to prevent program and job cuts announced earlier this week.
Yesterday, party leader Jagmeet Singh was joined by northern MPs Charlie Angus (Timmins-James Bay), France Gélinas (Nickel Belt) and Carol Hughes (Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing), as well as Laurentian University faculty member Nadia Verrelli, who lost her job, and student Katlyn Kotila.
On Wednesday, Angus pushed for and was granted approval by parliament for an emergency debate on Laurentian. That debate went on for five hours, with the NDP pushing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberals to wade into the Laurentian situation with funding to stop the CCAA process and prevent the program cuts announced this week.
Angus opened yesterday’s press conference by referring to what he said will be the economic impact of Laurentian’s restructuring.
“Economic devastation will hit Sudbury from the gutting of Laurentian University,” he said, adding the impact will not stay local but will be felt “across the North.”
The Timmins-James MP said Laurentian has made it possible for northern students to receive a university education close to home (making them more likely to remain in the North). It has provided French-speakers with the chance to study in the language of their choice. As well, he said, the school’s tri-cultural mandate provides Indigenous students the opportunity to study in an atmosphere of respect, while providing all students with the opportunity to explore Indigenous culture and issues academically.
Angus also criticized some of the programs that were cut, highlighting the French and English midwifery program (one of only a handful in Canada and the only one in French, and a program that is fully funded and has a wait list), physics (Sudbury hosts SNOLAB where Nobel Prize-winning research is done) and engineering (a discipline much in demand in the mining sector).
He said the prime minister has an obligation to step in and “save” the school.
“What’s happening at Laurentian is a national crime,” Angus said.
Singh said Laurentian is “essential” for northern learners, Francophone learners and Indigenous learners.
“We’re here to save Laurentian University — it is fundamental for everyone in the North,” he said.
