CFS Watch: Attack on Free Speech
Universities are a place for the free-exchange of thoughts and ideas. A big part of intellectual development for students is debate and dialogue. The best opportunity for this is when students are in university.
That is why it is concerning to witness the erosion of freedom of speech on campuses across the nation. The Canadian Federation of Students and its provincial affiliates have been implicated in many of the controversial cases, particularly in Ontario where pro-life clubs have been banned at Nipissing and York, and attempted to be banned at Guelph, while CFS-Ontario officially supports said actions.
In addition, there have been cases of alleged intimidation of student journalists by the Canadian Federation of Students and their army of lawyers. A favourite past time of the CFS is to sue all those that disagree with them.
The rejection of the very principles of the free speech by CFS and its allies means that what is now contained to affecting pro-life clubs, could spread to all other groups that don’t fit within their narrow mandate. Students should not feel intimidated on campus for speaking their mind, and have every right to organize on campus like any other groups.
To preserve the health of our universities, stand up for free speech!
Case Studies
Intimidation of Student Journalists
On April 3rd, 2007, the Ryerson student newspaper the Eyeopener printed an article that was sharply critical of CFS actions at Douglas College.
Three hours before deadline, the editor-and-chief Robyn Doolittle got a call from a law firm that represents the CFS. An hour after deadline a letter was hand delivered to her threatening legal action if several “inaccuracies” were contained in the article that was printed. This was done before the CFS even read the article.
When asked about the issue, CFS responded that it was necessary to ensure only “correct” information saw print and that . It is clear however, that the CFS uses the threat of lawsuit to intimidate student newspapers and journalists from not covering CFS activities and mask controversy.
The common line of warning revolves around semantics. They will sue you if you confuse the actions of CFS national and its provincial counterparts. Arguing that they are technically distinct entities gives them a convenient way to use the power of lawsuit to intimidate not just journalists, but student activists and student unions themselves. Libel chill to the extreme.
Related Articles
“CFS Threatens Legal Action Against Eyeopener” – Macleans Blog
CFS – Ontario Supports Banning of Pro-Life Clubs on Campus; Compared to the “KKK” by CFS Representative
In the past few years a growing number of CFS controlled student unions have banned or have attempted to ban pro-life clubs on campus. Amidst the growing controversy CFS – Ontario voted on a motion to support the banning of “anti-choice” clubs on campus.
The motion read as follows: “member (unions) that refuse to allow anti-choice organizations access to their resources and space be supported.”
In defence of CFS – Ontario’s decision, the CFS national women’s representative, Shelley Mellanson, argued that, “You wouldn’t take public money to put in an organization that moves to take away people’s rights; you wouldn’t fund the KKK”. CFS – Ontario’s womens representative also compared allowing a pro-choice group on campus to allowing a white supremacist group on campus.
You have to be amused by the warped logic of the radical left, as evidenced by the above. They believe in freedom and equality, but only for groups that agree with them. This mentality affects their administration of student resources, which should be in a neutral manner. Instead of encouraging an free and open environment for dialogue and debate about key issues on campus, they are increasingly choosing the crush the ability for opponents to organize on campus (they pay student fees too).
Related Articles
“We might just all be KKK members” – Macleans Blog
“Campus Abortion Debate Flares” – The Eyeopener
“Pro-life Groups Told to Shut Up” – Western Standard
Pro-Life Clubs Banned at Lakehead, York, and Guelph
At several CFS universities in Ontario free speech has been under assault. Backed by CFS – Ontario, Lakehead University, York University and the University of Guelph banned pro-life groups from forming on campus (the latter backed down under intense pressure).
Lakehead
At a meeting on January 10th, 2008, the Lakehead University Students Union voted 20-3 to deny official club status to Lakehead University Life Support.
According to the LUSU, the pro-life group was denied recognition due to a poster campaign, even though the posters themselves were approved and stamped by the student union.
Previously the LUSU only had granted recognition to the pro-life club on the condition that the club had “no unsolicited conversations with students, approaching people to tell them about your clubs and beliefs”.
York
York Federation of Students tabled a motion at the semi-annual meeting of CFS – Ontario to support the decision of student unions to refuse to recognize pro-life groups on campus. Amendments to the motion to limit derecognition for clubs that harass students failed, and the original motion passed.
Following the vote, the YFS voted to ban the recognition of pro-life groups at York University.
Previously, the YFS cancelled a planned debate on abortion 3 hours prior to the event, but allowed it to be rescheduled under pressure from pro-life groups.
This was defended by Gilary Massa, the Vice President Of External Affairs, “This debate is sexist … when it comes to free speech there is a line. … They are talking about taking away women’s rights. We would not allow a debate asking if women beating should be allowed.” Not surprisingly she staunchly supported the motion to ban recognition of pro-life clubs on campus.
Ironically, Massa and others from York traveled to McMaster University to protest the censoring of an Israeli apartheid poster in the name of free speech.
Guelph
On October 1, 2008, the Central Student’s Association of Guelph University, a CFS controlled students union, voted to repeal the accreditation of LifeChoice, a pro-life group on campus. They did so without notifying the students of LifeChoice that their accreditation was under review and did not invite them to the meeting to defend themselves.
It was justified, as with other schools, that pro-life groups violate student union pro-choice policy. What was neglected to be mentioned was that CSA’s by-laws also supported the right to choose one’s side on the abortion debate.
Under pressure for various groups, including the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, the CSA reversed its decision and granted club status to life choice in January 2009.
This is proof raising awareness can protect our right to free speech on campus. Not all is lost
Related Articles
Canadian Civil Liberties Association Writes to CFS on Free Speech – The Western Standard
“CSA Aborts LifeChoice” – The Ontarion
“U of G Association Made a Bad Choice” – The Guelph Mercury
“U of G pro-life group granted full club status” – The Guelph Mercury
“Campus Abortion Debate Flares” – The Eyeopener
“Pro-Abortion Debate Cancelled by York University Students Union” - Standard Newswire
“You Can’t Say That!” – Macleans Blog
“YFS Pushes Ban on Pro-life Groups” – The Excalibur
