CUFA BC Stands in Solidarity with FPSE and CAUT Following Landmark Arbitration Decision

(For Immediate Release – Port Moody, BC, 26 November 2025) – The Confederation of University Faculty Associations of British Columbia (CUFA BC) stands in solidarity with the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of BC (FPSE) and the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) following a decisive grievance arbitration win that reinstated a Langara College instructor wrongfully dismissed for expressing controversial views on the war in Gaza.

This arbitration ruling affirms the fundamental principles of due process in British Columbia’s post-secondary institutions. CUFA BC joins FPSE and CAUT in welcoming this outcome as reinforcing faculty rights and institutional autonomy across the province, and highlights the vital role of unions in defending the collective rights of their members.

“CUFA BC unconditionally upholds the democratic principles of freedom of expression, academic freedom, and collective agreement rights to due process and natural justice,” said Acting President Ken Christie. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to defend a public post-secondary system free of direct interference by the provincial government.”

The case follows nearly two years of advocacy by FPSE and CAUT after allegations surfaced in late 2023 of ministerial interference in the faculty member’s termination at Langara College. In February 2024, CUFA BC joined FPSE and CAUT in calling for the resignation of the then-Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills Selina Robinson, citing the need to preserve the independence of academic institutions from political interference. Robinson resigned shortly after.

With the arbitration decision now overturning the termination and making the grievor whole, CUFA BC reaffirms its solidarity with FPSE’s efforts to restore confidence in the governance of British Columbia’s post-secondary system and to safeguard the rights of faculty to engage in free inquiry and expression without fear of reprisal.

For further information or comment please contact CUFA BC Executive Director Annabree Fairweather at 604-367-5856 or [email protected].

CUFA BC represents over 5,500 faculty members, professional librarians, lecturers, instructors, and other academics at the five research-intensive universities in British Columbia, which include University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, University of Victoria, Royal Roads University and University of Northern British Columbia.

CUFA BC celebrates over fifty years of working closely with the member Faculty Associations at each institution. Our purposes are to support high-quality post-secondary education and research in British Columbia and to advocate for the interests of our members.

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