U of T encampment enters 3rd week as talks with school continue
CBC
Organizers of a pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Toronto say concessions offered by the administration continue to fall short of their demands — and they're staying put until they see concrete progress.
Representatives for the protesters and university met for two hours Wednesday, the latest in a series of meetings aimed at addressing the students' demands and health and safety issues at the encampment.
The demonstrators' three official demands include disclosing the university endowment's investments, divesting from companies that "sustain Israeli apartheid, occupation and illegal settlement of Palestine," and cutting ties with Israeli academic institutions that operate in the occupied territories or support Israel's military efforts.
The university has offered to begin a process to consider disclosure and transparency about its investments alongside divestment, encampment leaders told reporters at a news conference Thursday.
But the students say they were told that process could take months and comes with no guarantee that it would end in disclosure or divestment.
"The complex procedure, which has no guarantees and many, many hurdles ... is completely superfluous and is designed to confuse us by drowning us in bureaucracy," said Kalliopé Anvar McCall, a fourth-year student. "We are not falling for it."
As the encampment enters its third week, there is no end in sight, although both sides say they're committed to negotiating in good faith and finding a peaceful resolution.
Dozens of students, staff and faculty have been occupying a green space at King's College Circle on the university's St. George Campus in downtown Toronto around the clock since May 2. They've set up tents and canopies in solidarity with other encampments at universities throughout North America, calling for an end to Israel's war in Gaza.
So far, the university has avoided asking police to clear the encampment by force, as happened at universities in Calgary and Edmonton last weekend.
A spokesperson for the university said Thursday the meeting was "constructive and productive."
"Our goal remains the same: to find a peaceful and sustainable conclusion to the encampment on front campus as soon as possible, in line with university principles and policies," Christine Szustaczek, vice-president of communications, wrote in an update on the university website.
Szustaczek said the two sides had worked together to mitigate concerns around sanitation, and that a ceremonial fire burning inside the encampment is being supervised by experienced Indigenous firekeepers.
"We continue to discuss signs and language and emphasize how important it is that they be consistent with the spirit of peaceful protest," the statement said.
The students say the university has shown some willingness to consider the disclosure and divestment demands, but appears unwilling to consider the third demand, citing academic freedom. That demand is to cut ties with academic institutions that operate in the occupied territories or support Israel's military efforts.
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running Game
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing Game
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic Game
After lively discussion from Hamilton city councillors on Wednesday about the pros and cons of online voting, they decided it won't be used in upcoming elections.
Police say a woman was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries after a collision Thursday afternoon in the area of Tecumseh Road East and Princess Avenue in Windsor.
The provincial government is expanding Alberta's busiest highway, but some are worried wetlands near Red Deer will be lost to make way for the widened route.
The federal government has launched its newly-revised Prosperity and Growth Strategy for Northern Ontario, a document that aims to address the region's economic challenges and opportunities over the next five years.
A small black bear has been spotted in Erin, Ont., prompting a warning from police.
An administrator at P.E.I.'s largest hospital says staff have been able to keep up with the surge of tourists who need to seek medical care after arriving on the Island, despite longtime strains on the health-care system.
The Government of Yukon is seeking approval to repair damage on the Teslin River Bridge near Johnsons Crossing.
Pierre Poilievre was feeling dejected and disappointed after the stinging federal election loss in April, sources close to the Conservative leader said, and he dialed back his public appearances for the better part of two months to reassess his strategy and regroup.
Janie Mackenzie was asleep in her trailer when she awoke to the sound of her dog barking, a telltale sign her two young step-grandchildren were out playing on a swingset in the backyard.
Every time Prashant Vashista thinks of BLS International — the sole company sanctioned by the Indian consulate to handle services like visas and passport renewals in Canada — his mind goes back two years to his mother's death.
Andrew Harvey never expected the train crossing he goes through on his daily commute to work in St. Thomas would cause $1,000 worth of damages to the front of his car.
Citing safety concerns, Premier Tim Houston says his government will overturn Halifax council's decision on a local bike lane, but some councillors and advocates say the move is likely about setting the stage for strong mayor powers.
A day after the Department of Social Development agreed to let certain Horizon Health hospital patients jump the line to get into nursing homes, Vitalité is asking for the same for patients in Bathurst.