By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

The Syndicat du personnel enseignant du Cégep de Sherbrooke (SPECS-CSN) has unanimously called for the resignation of Quebec’s Minister of Higher Education, Pascale Déry, following what the union describes as a politically motivated intrusion into academic freedom.

During a general assembly held earlier this week, union members expressed outrage over Déry’s recent intervention in two Montreal-area English-language colleges, Dawson and Vanier. The minister reportedly requested an evaluation of courses addressing the Palestinian question—raising concerns over their content and the qualifications of those teaching them.

“This is not a pedagogical question. It’s a political one, and it’s an unacceptable attempt to censor certain courses,” said SPECS-CSN president Mathieu Poulin-Lamarre in a March 28 interview. “Teachers are professionals who know how to present complex topics in ways that foster understanding and dialogue. To suggest otherwise is deeply disrespectful.”

The union emphasized that Déry’s request mirrored demands made by the Centre consultatif des relations juives et israéliennes (CIJA), a lobby group on whose board the minister served for six years. “It’s a line that should never have been crossed,” added Michèle Le Risbé, vice-president for pedagogical affairs at SPECS-CSN, in a related press release.

Poulin-Lamarre said the minister’s stated concern—that such courses could aggravate tensions on campus—is misguided. “If anything, teaching this content can help reduce tension by promoting shared understanding. Knowledge should not be limited; it should be more accessible to support peaceful campus life.”

Although the resolution is symbolic and the union will not pursue a legal challenge, Poulin-Lamarre said it was necessary to make their refusal clear. “We won’t sit back as if this is normal,” he said. “We refuse this kind of intervention.”

He added that the union is in contact with other groups like the Fédération nationale des enseignantes et enseignants du Québec (FNEEQ-CSN) and the Canadian Federation of Students (CFM) to potentially broaden the movement. “If other unions agree with us, we’ll organize and amplify this protest. This is a starting point.”

The SPECS-CSN is the second college faculty union to call for Déry’s resignation, following a similar resolution from the Syndicat des professeures et professeurs du cégep Édouard-Montpetit. Other organizations—including the Fédération des cégeps, the Fédération québécoise des professeures et professeurs d’université (FQPPU), and the FNEEQ-CSN—have also denounced the minister’s actions.

The union says the minister’s position contradicts the academic freedom legislation adopted by her own party, the CAQ, in 2022. “The CAQ of 2025 is doing exactly what the CAQ of 2022 was trying to prevent,” said Poulin-Lamarre. “Mr. Legault should be reining her in—not excusing her.”

He also expressed concern that similar patterns of political interference seen in the United States, such as the rejection of speakers like John Liu at Columbia University, could spread to Quebec. “It’s essential that we protect academic freedom from any government intervention—this time and every time.”

Union members further criticized what they described as Déry’s lack of regard for the CEGEP network, which they say has been blindsided by a series of austerity measures since August.

“We’re not just reacting to this one incident,” said Poulin-Lamarre. “We’re drawing a line—this kind of censorship has no place in our institutions.”