McGill student union cancels meeting with Anthony Housefather over views on Israel-Hamas war
Liberal MP Anthony Housefather is speaking out after the Students' Society of McGill University (SSMU) cancelled a meeting with him at the last minute because of his views on the Israel-Hamas war.
Housefather and the SSMU were set to discuss student funding in the face of tuition hikes from the Quebec government. But the student union cancelled an hour and a half before Tuesday's meeting.
"I have never had a group cancel a meeting because they don't agree with my perspective on an issue that has nothing to do with the issues that we were meeting about, and hadn't changed from the time that they asked for the meeting," Housefather told CTV News on Wednesday.
Last week, in an email, the SSMU asked to meet with Housefather to discuss support for international students, student housing, mental health services and student financial aid.
"I am a huge advocate for English-speaking institutions in Quebec," said Housefather, the MP for Mount Royal. "I have been at the forefront of pushing on the Quebec government's decision to increase the rates of out-of-province students that will harm our English universities."
But the SSMU cancelled Tuesday, citing Housefather's "outspoken support for the Israeli state."
"It is the responsibility of public officials to uphold notions of democracy, peace and justice through thick and thin," the email, obtained by CTV News, reads. "We demand Mr. Housefather show these values once again."
Housefather has spoken out against Canada's decision to join a United Nations resolution calling for a ceasefire in the conflict. He has also rejected claims by South Africa that Israel is committing genocide.
The SSMU did not respond to a request for comment from CTV News.
Former Canadian senator and journalist Joan Fraser believes the students made a "bad mistake" in refusing to meet with Housefather.
"I wouldn't have [the right] to demand of any elected representative that they take a specific position. I can urge them to do so. I can urge them strongly to do what I would believe is right, but I can't demand of them," she said in an interview.
"I think they did do a disservice to their members and to the university at large, and to the community at large."
Housefather pointed out that the meeting had nothing to do with the Israel-Hamas war.
"It has nothing to do with the Middle East. And again, the idea that we are letting different perspectives on a foreign war defocus us from issues that directly affect students and to take away a meeting with the person who's probably one of their biggest advocates," he said. "It really is bizarre to me."
The MP said he's still willing to meet with the SSMU and hopes they will reconsider.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.