Nipissing University is facing backlash for bestowing an honorary doctorate on former Ontario premier Mike Harris.
Maurice Switzer of the Union of Ontario Indians called the honour a “black mark on the university’s record.”
Harris was premier when Dudley George, a native protester, was shot and killed by the OPP in 1995. A 2007 inquiry found the OPP and Harris responsible.
“While [Harris] didn’t personally pull the trigger…his actions contributed to an environment that made it more likely that that kind of tragedy could take place,” said Switzer. “And that’s all anybody needs on their résumé [to] disqualify them from any kind of academic honours,”
Ontario teachers have also opposed the decision.
In a letter to the university’s board of governors, Ontario Teachers’ Federation president Reno Melatti said teachers were unhappy with cuts to education Harris made as premier.
Nipissing University president Lesley Lovett-Doust said the university stuck by its decision.
There has also been speculation about Nipissing naming its library after Harris.
The Nipissing First Nation has stopped funding the library as a result of the name
“We just tore up the cheque,” said Nipissing First Nation chief Marianna Couchie. She said the $5,000 annual funding would be reinstated if Nipissing names the library after a “more inspiring leader.”
Couchie added students from her community may not attend the school so as to not enter a building named after Harris.
Lovett-Doust said the name of the library will be announced "when the project is further along."