MOFA rejects political attempts to silence Manitoban academics
November 23, 2023
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Treaty 1 – The Manitoba Organization of Faculty Associations (MOFA) affirms the importance of academic freedom, particularly in times of conflict, and recognizes the vital role of scholars and educators in initiating and guiding what can be difficult conversations. MOFA also reiterates the freedom of academics to engage in both university-based and public debates.
MOFA is gravely concerned about comments made by prominent Manitoban politicians about an event scheduled for November 24 at the University of Winnipeg, entitled “Palestine and Genocide: Reflections on Imperialism, Settler-colonialism and Decolonization.” These comments suggest that such an event must be deemed “balanced” and “diverse” by Manitoba’s political leaders and university administrators in order to proceed. Such attempts to influence university administrators are a threat to the autonomy of scholarship and public debate, which depends on the ability of researchers and educators in Manitoba’s universities to share their opinions without threat of retribution from university administrators, or from politicians who make demands of those administrators. MOFA categorically rejects such interventions by politicians of all parties and in all levels of government.
Academic freedom requires neither neutrality nor ‘balance’ but entails engagement and commitment to an honest search for knowledge and understanding. MOFA stands in solidarity with UWFA colleagues and with all academics committed to public engagement and critical debate.
Further, MOFA calls on the administration of the University of Winnipeg to immediately affirm its commitment to academic freedom, including its contractual obligation to refrain from censoring or disciplining UWFA members for exercising their academic rights and duties to free expression and free inquiry into matters of public interest and importance.
MOFA President, Allison McCulloch, underscores that “political intervention puts undue pressure on the university to cancel critical events and on academics to censor their analysis.”
MOFA is comprised of four faculty associations, which represent over 2,000 faculty and academic staff at the University of Winnipeg, University of Manitoba, Brandon University and Université de Saint-Boniface.
Media Contact: Allison McCulloch, MOFA President, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Organizing and Communications Committee needs you!
Are you passionate about making a difference? Do you have ideas and a great enthusiasm to share them? Do you have a knack for organizing social events? Maybe you're passionate about politics and want to see elected officials do more for post-secondary education.
Now is the perfect time for you to join one of the UMFA Organizing and Communications Committees. Choose from the Listening Tour Sub-committee, Election Action Sub-committee, Social Events Sub-committee, Safe Air Sub-committee, and the Bargaining Sub-committee.
Listening Tour Sub-committee
The best way to keep your colleagues connected to the Association is to talk to them one-on-one. Members of the OCC Listening Tour Sub-committee will be reaching out to UMFA Members throughout the year to hear what they have to say about their workplaces, and about how working conditions can be improved. Training and support provided!
Social Events Sub-committee
Have a knack for organizing social events? Join this OCC Sub-committee and help get your colleagues together for coffee, conversation, and other social activities.
Safe Air (formerly the COVID-19) Sub-committee
The Safe Air sub-committee works to educate and advocate for safe, clean air for everyone on our campuses. We advocate for improved ventilation to reduce transmission of airborne viruses and pathogens, create materials to support precautions in our workplace (masking, COVID-19 Teaching FAQ) and work together to advocate for a future of safe air on campus that goes beyond the current and on-going COVID-19 pandemic.
Bargaining Sub-committee
This committee is a new initiative to help support the bargaining team, Collective Agreement Committee (CAC), and Executive with member mobilization initiatives.
Whether you're a seasoned expert or you just want to bring a fresh perspective to the table, your unique skills and ideas are valuable assets that can help shape the committees' initiatives.
For information on how to get involved and for more details on each sub-committee, contact OCC Chair Jenna Tichon at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Committee meetings are open to all members. The dates for each are on the website here: https://www.umfa.ca/news/meetings-events.
