External review finds Toronto Metropolitan University failed to enforce its own protest policies consistently
A nearly 200-page report by former appellate judge Mary Lou Benotto and lawyer Margot Finley says campus tensions worsened after October 7, 2023.
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An external review of two protests at Toronto Metropolitan University that led to student arrests last year says the incidents were "symptoms of a deteriorating campus climate" following the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
The report, released this week by former Ontario Court of Appeal judge Mary Lou Benotto and lawyer Margot Finley, examined a September 19 disruption of a TMU-hosted Democracy Forum event and a November 5 disruption of an off-campus event involving speakers with ties to the Israel Defense Forces. In both cases, students were arrested.
The nearly 200-page document concludes that TMU has "policies capable of addressing much of the conduct" at issue, but has "too often failed to apply them consistently and decisively," a failure that contributed to growing tensions on campus. The reviewers warn that similar incidents are likely to occur again "absent decisive institutional action."
University campuses across Canada and beyond became flashpoints for pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel activism following Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. That assault killed around 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostage. Gaza's Health Ministry says Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed more than 72,700 people, though it does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
The report recommends that TMU revise its freedom of speech statement to "expressly prohibit" intimidation, harassment, discrimination, and behaviour that interferes with others' right to free expression. It also calls for "clear, content-neutral expectations" for protests, changes to prevent lawful events from being cancelled because of anticipated opposition, and better regulation of online harassment, intimidation, and doxxing.
"The university cannot resolve the conflict in the Middle East or eliminate disagreement, grief, anger, or competing historical narratives," the report states. "It can, however, establish clear behavioural expectations, protect the rights of all members of the community, and enforce its policies consistently, transparently, and predictably."
The university has not yet publicly responded to the recommendations.
Will TMU implement the review's recommendations, and on what timeline?
What specific policy changes does the university plan to make in response?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
What two protest incidents did the external review examine?
The review examined a September 19 disruption of a TMU-hosted Democracy Forum event and a November 5 disruption of an off-campus event involving speakers with ties to the Israel Defense Forces. Students were arrested in both cases.
Who conducted the external review?
Former Ontario Court of Appeal judge Mary Lou Benotto and lawyer Margot Finley conducted the review.
What did the report conclude about TMU's enforcement of its policies?
The report concluded that Toronto Metropolitan University has policies capable of addressing the conduct in question, but has too often failed to apply them consistently and decisively.
What does the report recommend TMU revise about its freedom of speech statement?
The report recommends that Toronto Metropolitan University revise its freedom of speech statement to expressly prohibit intimidation, harassment, discrimination, and behaviour that interferes with others' right to free expression.
