Law 78 must be rescinded say students and academic staff

OTTAWA, May 22, 2012 /CNW/ - The Quebec special law adopted on Friday is unjust and must be rescinded, says the academic community of students and staff across Canada.

"The Quebec government must repeal the unconstitutional Law 78 immediately, drop all fines and reverse arrests made under its scope," said Jim Turk, Executive Director of the Canadian Association of University Teachers. "The Charest government is sorely mistaken if they believe the fundamental right to protest against unjust tuition fee increases will not be defended."

Law 78 was adopted last Friday night in the National Assembly and imposes severe and unconstitutional restrictions on the right of expression and assembly. The law has been adopted by the government of Québec in an attempt to undermine students' strike efforts in Québec to defeat a tuition fee hike through popular mobilization.

"Members of the academic community across the country will be mobilizing in solidarity with the students of Quebec," said Roxanne Dubois, National Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. "The Charest government must repeal the law and commit to reversing the decision to increase tuition fees."

The Canadian Federation of Students is Canada's largest student organization, uniting more than one-half million students in all ten provinces. The Federation and its predecessor organizations have represented students in Canada since 1927.

The Canadian Association of University Teachers is the national voice of 68,000 academic and general staff in more than 120 universities and colleges across the country.

Roxanne Dubois, National Chairperson, Canadian Federation of Students 613-816-7486 (cell), [email protected] (In Montreal)

Angela Regnier, Communications Officer, Canadian Association of University Teachers
613-276-5186 (office), 613-601-6304 (cell) [email protected] (In Ottawa) 

Regional Requests:

British Columbia
Zach Crispin [phone]

Prairies
Kent Peterson [phone]

Manitoba
Marakary Bayo [phone]

Ontario
Sandy Hudson [phone]

Quebec
Roxanne Dubois [phone]

Maritimes
Rebecca Rose [phone]

Newfoundland and Labrador
Jessica McCormick [phone]