Senior officials from a federal research agency have reached out to the University of Alberta to ensure that the institution is adhering to equity mandates for the nation’s prestigious professor roles. This action follows the university’s proposal to eliminate equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) from its recruitment policy.
The Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat (TIPS), responsible for overseeing post-secondary institutions that receive federal research grants, including the esteemed Canada Research Chairs, expressed concerns regarding the U of A’s situation. The chairs program necessitates EDI statements, action plans, and objectives.
A leaked email from a member of the legal services team at Innovation, Science, and Economic Development, which provides legal assistance to TIPS, revealed that the secretariat has initiated a formal inquiry to ensure the university’s compliance with the federal program. While they expect ongoing compliance, TIPS requires formal confirmation from the U of A.
A spokesperson for Canada Research Chairs confirmed ongoing discussions with the university. This interaction comes in the wake of the U of A introducing a new hiring policy that eliminates the practice of giving preference to candidates from historically marginalized groups when equally qualified. The proposed policy is set for review by the university’s board of governors later this month.
The EDI requirements for the Canada Research Chairs program have their origins in human rights legal settlements from the past two decades. These requirements entail achieving representation targets among specific groups by 2029, implementing an EDI action plan, incorporating underrepresented groups in hiring panels, and addressing equity disparities in chair appointments. Institutions failing to meet these criteria risk nomination or funding withholding.
The U of A’s current lineup of chairs already meets the 2029 targets. Verna Yiu, the university’s provost, emphasized in a recent blog post that the institution remains aligned with federal EDI expectations, ensuring compliance with funding eligibility and upholding research excellence.
While the university maintains that the proposed policy change aligns with federal obligations, some critics, like law professor Amir Attaran of the University of Ottawa, remain skeptical. Attaran, involved in human rights settlements leading to the federal program’s EDI requirements, stressed the importance of diverse research representation nationwide.
Amidst these discussions, the federal standing committee on science and research is examining the criteria for allocating federal research funding, including EDI considerations. The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) has advocated for retaining equity frameworks to promote research excellence and fairness.
Dave Snow, an associate professor at the University of Guelph, suggested that EDI initiatives might have overreached in some instances and called for more neutrality in federal grants. In the U of A case, Snow highlighted both legal and political implications, cautioning against potential federal-provincial jurisdiction conflicts over stringent EDI hiring mandates.