McGill University’s student union announced Monday that its Board of Directors made a split decision to revoke the club status of the pro-Palestinian group Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR) after sustained pressure from the university administration and threats of funding cuts. This decision was reached after McGill University delivered a 60-day ultimatum to the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) President Dymetri Taylor on July 10, demanding the severance of connections with SPHR by deregistering the club and urging the union to publicly denounce the activities of SPHR.
Deputy Provost for Student Life and Learning Angela Campbell claimed that SSMU was in breach of its Memorandum of Agreement with the university by failing to ensure SPHR’s compliance with the set conditions. Campbell accused the student union of being “complicit” in SPHR’s operations, which allegedly violated university policy. Due to the alleged breach, McGill is authorized to transfer student fees into a trust, effectively suspending funding to SSMU. However, legal counsel for SSMU disputes any default in their agreement with the university.
SPHR has been a prominent student-led organization at McGill, advocating for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. On April 27, SPHR participated in a pro-Palestine encampment, which gained media attention after Québec Justice Marc St-Pierre refused to grant an injunction to dismantle the demonstration. Subsequently, police, acting under orders of the City of Montreal, dismantled the encampment.
SSMU is currently in the process of renegotiating the Memorandum of Agreement with McGill University to secure increased political autonomy for the student union.
Further insights into the situation can be accessed through the detailed report by JURIST.