Communications

The questions we ask together

deidre.mccabe@�鶹��ý��վ.Ca — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 14:01:41 +0000

The questions we ask together deidre.mccabe@… Thu, 04/23/2026 - 10:01

Dear members of the �鶹��ý��վ community,

Earlier this spring, I had the pleasure of attending a symposium hosted by the �鶹��ý��վ Institute for the Study of Canada, which explored artificial intelligence as the defining disruptor of our time.

The event brought together distinguished speakers, including Professor Yoshua Bengio (BEng’86, MSc’88, PhD’91), to confront the urgent question: "Who are we as humans when we build machines that are as smart as, or smarter than, we are?"

Widely regarded as “a godfather of AI,” Professor Bengio's response was simple yet profound: What matters is that we can ask the question in the first place — and that we can pursue the answer together.

In an era of accelerated automation, his words evoke something enduring about humanity: our capacity to wonder, to question, and to engage critically with one another. They remind us, as well, of our shared purpose as an academic community.

�鶹��ý��վ has long been a place where big questions inspire, where the pursuit of knowledge is rarely an isolated act but a deeply human, collective endeavor — one that unites people across perspectives, experiences, and geographies. This is our mission, and it matters more than ever.

Throughout this year, you have advanced this mission with curiosity and creativity, with integrity and care for each other. Through your sheer humanity, you have strengthened �鶹��ý��վ and its impact in Montréal, across Canada, and around the world.

For all your contributions, whether as students, professors, or staff, I am deeply grateful.

As the summer approaches, I hope you will take some time to rest, recharge, and enjoy the company of the people around you. After all, it is in those moments — of conversation, of shared experience, and of unhurried time together — that some of the most interesting questions tend to find us, and we are reminded anew of why we pursue this work together.

With warmest regards,

Deep Saini
President and Vice-Chancellor
�鶹��ý��վ

Communications

Messages to Community

Highlights from the February 19, 2026 Board of Governors meeting

deidre.mccabe@�鶹��ý��վ.Ca — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 18:08:18 +0000

Highlights from the February 19, 2026 Board of Governors meeting deidre.mccabe@… Mon, 03/09/2026 - 14:08

Dear members of the �鶹��ý��վ Community,

It is our pleasure to provide you with an update on the recent activities of �鶹��ý��վ’s Board of Governors. You can learn more about the Board’s mandate and membership on its website.

The Board of Governors held the second regular meeting on February 19, 2026. The full minutes of the meeting’s open session will be available following approval at the Board’s next meeting on April 23, 2026. In the meantime, we would like to share with you the meeting’s important discussions, decisions, and developments.

Thank you for your interest in the work of the Board of Governors. If you have any questions, ideas, or comments, please write to mcgill.president [at] mcgill.ca (mcgill[dot]president[at]mcgill[dot]ca).

Sincerely,

Deep Saini, President and Vice-Chancellor

Maryse Bertrand, Chair, �鶹��ý��վ Board of Governors

Key Updates

The Board of Governors, on the recommendation of the Finance and Infrastructure Committee, endorsed the IT Strategic Plan 2025-2028, with the understanding that each IT project that emanates from the Plan will be considered for approval in accordance with the University’s policies and governance processes.

The Plan sets out a roadmap to modernize �鶹��ý��վ’s IT operating model in support of academic excellence, research innovation, and operational efficiency. It focuses on modernizing �鶹��ý��վ’s core digital platforms (e.g., Banner), strengthening cybersecurity through enhanced risk-based governance and monitoring, as well as cultivating a data culture and enabling responsible AI through policy, literacy, and infrastructure.

Also from the Finance and Infrastructure Committee, the Board received an update on Horizon �鶹��ý��վ initiatives, including the launch of Workday Expense, a travel and expense management system that replaces the former Minerva process and is expected to streamline how staff submit, manage, and approve travel and expense claims.

From the Audit & Risk Committee, the Board was informed that the Committee had approved the External Audit Plan for the year ending April 30, 2026, as presented by Deloitte, LLP, and had endorsed the Internal Audit Strategic Plan (2026–2029), which sets out a three-year roadmap that aligns audit activities with institutional priorities and emerging risks.

The Board also received an update on cybersecurity matters, including an overview of �鶹��ý��վ’s evolving cyber threat environment and on-going efforts to strengthen risk mitigation and safeguard institutional systems and data.

The Board of Governors was also apprised of the Joint Board–Senate Working Group on Board–Senate Cohesion, which was established following the November 2025 joint meeting of the two bodies. The Working Group is developing a survey to assess the current state of collaboration, communication, and mutual understanding between the Board and Senate, with a view of bringing forward recommendations to further strengthen shared governance at �鶹��ý��վ.

The Board received the following presentations:

The University Advancement Annual Report, presented by Marc Weinstein, Vice-President (University Advancement), which provides an overview of UA’s FY25 financial achievements and campaign extension, as well as information on transformative gifts, donor impact, alumni activities, volunteer engagement, and communications in 2024-2025.
An overview of �鶹��ý��վ Libraries, including the Libraries’ Strategic Priorities (2025-2030) and recent Golden Ink exhibition, presented by Professor Guylaine Beaudry, Trenholme Dean of Libraries.

President’s Remarks

President Deep Saini provided the following updates pertaining to a range of recent developments from across �鶹��ý��վ.

Government Relations

The President began by noting recent political developments in Québec following Premier François Legault’s resignation in early January. A leadership race within the Coalition Avenir Québec is underway, with Ministers Christine Fréchette and Bernard Drainville as the main contenders; a new leader is expected to be selected on April 12. The University is monitoring developments and will assess any potential implications for �鶹��ý��վ as the government’s direction becomes clearer.

He also addressed Bill 1 (Loi constitutionnelle de 2025 sur le Québec) and Bill 9 (Loi sur le renforcement de la laïcité au Québec). Bill 1 proposes constitutional changes that could strengthen parliamentary sovereignty and limit judicial review. Through the Bureau de coopération interuniversitaire (BCI), Québec’s universities have jointly raised concerns about the potential impact on institutional autonomy. Bill 9 would expand the application of secularism rules across public institutions, with some broadly drafted provisions creating uncertainty for universities. The President reaffirmed that academic freedom and institutional autonomy must remain protected.

At the federal level, the President highlighted the launch of the $1.7 billion Canada Impact+ Research Chairs program and noted that recruitment efforts are underway for a first intake this fall. He also referenced Canada’s new Defence Industrial Strategy, emphasizing the federal government’s recognition of research-intensive universities as key partners in advancing national security and economic sovereignty. �鶹��ý��վ is prepared to contribute to efforts aimed at ensuring that Canadian research excellence generates long-term impact for the country.

The President reported on a recent visit by the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, to view the progress underway at the �鶹��ý��վ Sustainability Park site, including its 171 geothermal wells. The visit comprises broader advocacy efforts for the project at the federal level.

The President also shared that he has joined Mayor Martinez Ferrada’s newly formed Table des partenaires sur le rayonnement et l’attractivité de Montréal, which brings together key institutions to strengthen Montréal’s international profile — an initiative aligned with �鶹��ý��վ’s strengths as a world-class university and its “Engage Locally” strategic priority.

In this context, President Saini also noted that he will deliver an address to Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montréal on February 25, focusing on �鶹��ý��վ’s role as a locally anchored, globally connected partner to the city's business community.

International Relations

On the international front, the President reported on a recent 13-day mission to India and the United Arab Emirates. In India, he met with partners in Delhi and Chandigarh to advance collaborations across multiple sectors and later participated in Universities Canada’s India mission in Goa, including the QS India Summit. The visit coincided with a broader series of Canadian engagements with India, including a visit by Prime Minister Carney in late-February focusing on trade.

In the United Arab Emirates, the President attended the World Governments Summit in Dubai, where �鶹��ý��վ signed a memorandum of understanding with the Khalifa Foundation to establish the UAE–Indonesia Future Leaders Program, supported by a $17.5 million donation. The initiative builds on longstanding partnerships in the region and will advance collaboration in priority areas including sustainability, engineering, health and teacher education.

Selected Kudos

Finally, the President concluded by highlighting a selection of outstanding recent achievements from across the �鶹��ý��վ community.

�鶹��ý��վ ranked among Canada’s top three universities in 10 of 11 subjects in the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject.
�鶹��ý��վ student Jasmine Zhao is the recipient of the prestigious Schwarzman Scholarship.
Professors Siva Reddy and Katelin Schutz were named 2026 Sloan Research Fellows, a distinction awarded to outstanding early-career researchers.
More than two dozen �鶹��ý��վ community members served in official roles at the Milano–Cortina Winter Olympic Games, including athletes Lilah Fear and Kayla Tutino.
Under the leadership of Professors Viviane Yargeau and Christopher Manfredi, the �鶹��ý��վ community raised $402,000 for Centraide of Greater Montreal, surpassing its campaign goal.

Reports and Presentations

The Board of Governors received the following reports:

Report from Senate

Communications

Board of Governors Highlights

Final Report of the Advisory Panel on Campus Expression

deidre.mccabe@�鶹��ý��վ.Ca — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 18:55:15 +0000

Final Report of the Advisory Panel on Campus Expression deidre.mccabe@… Thu, 01/29/2026 - 13:55

Dear members of the �鶹��ý��վ community,

I am pleased to share the Final Report of the Advisory Panel on Campus Expression (“Panel”) and to offer my response to it.

The Panel was established approximately one year ago to advise how �鶹��ý��վ can uphold freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and academic freedom while ensuring a safe and inclusive campus environment. The Panel was tasked with reviewing these issues specifically in connection with situations involving invited guest speakers whose views sparked controversy, caused offence, or were seen as posing a risk to physical or psychological safety. The Panel also took the opportunity of its work to explore and offer recommendations on other, cognate issues.

This Panel undertook its work at a moment when universities have become flashpoints for debates about speech, its limits, and the responsibilities of academic institutions. Institutions like ours are expected to lead on these questions even as society experiences unprecedented polarization.

I want to thank the Panel members for accepting and carrying out a complex mandate and for the skill and energy that they brought to their work. I also extend appreciation to the students, faculty, and staff who contributed to the consultation sessions. The Panel’s report reflects thoughtful engagement across our community, and I accept its recommendations, many of which affirm existing commitments and activities, in principle. We will now begin moving toward their implementation.

With reference to its core mandate, the Panel has recommended the creation of an Event Risk Assessment Committee (ERAC) to ensure transparent, principled decision‑making when events featuring external speakers present clear safety risks or threaten to obstruct academic activities. We will establish an ERAC in due course.

On other related issues, the Panel’s recommendations are also constructive, such as those related to:

Renewing and clarifying academic freedom, which is a professional freedom grounded in scholarly standards and corresponding duties, as distinct from the universal right to freedom of expression. The Panel calls upon �鶹��ý��վ to strengthen understandings of each freedom and their limits, and build capacity and support for those engaged in teaching and learning so that they clearly understand their rights and responsibilities.

Adopting an approach to institutional communications about geopolitics premised on restraint. This aligns closely with the practice we have already been following, that is, communicating in a manner consistent with the University’s academic mission to avoid a perception that �鶹��ý��վ is taking positions on matters beyond its remit. Rather than issuing broad institutional statements, we have focused on direct outreach and support to students and community members most affected by geopolitical conflict and/or humanitarian crises. This includes connecting students and colleagues with resources to support success and well‑being.

Sustaining a principled, transparent approach to campus expression and protest that affirms the value of such expression, while clarifying its limits set by law and �鶹��ý��վ’s policies, and that such limits are applied in a content-neutral, proportionate, and clearly articulated manner.

While I value the Report’s insights, I also want to acknowledge a perspective that is less prominent in its narrative, but no less real. As President, I have heard often in recent months from individuals who feel that free expression on campus has at times been conflated with objectively harmful conduct.

I have listened to those who have felt unprotected in moments where they have faced direct aggression and intimidation, and I understand the harm they have endured, having personally experienced such acts myself. I share this not to elicit sympathy, but to underscore that such indignities must never be part of the experience of any �鶹��ý��վ student or colleague.

I am grateful to the Panel for unequivocally affirming that violence, intimidation, and vandalism fall outside the protections of expression. �鶹��ý��վ must remain a place where open expression thrives, even when difficult.

At the same time, I want to be equally clear that hate and violence have no place in our University. Rejecting them is not only a matter of safety; it reflects who we are. What binds our community — across disciplines, identities, and perspectives — is our shared dedication to the pursuit of knowledge, to intellectual inquiry, and to the principles that make such inquiry possible: curiosity, integrity, and respect.

These commitments have sustained �鶹��ý��վ for generations. They must guide us now, as we navigate complex tensions and seek to restore trust across differences.

As we implement the Panel’s recommendations, I call on members of the �鶹��ý��վ community to recommit to a higher order of engagement and civil discourse. Across the many, many discussions I have had on issues related to our campus climate, the prevailing theme that emerges is aspiration, particularly, for deeper listening, clearer and more inclusive processes, and more courageous dialogue.

I was especially encouraged by a meeting of �鶹��ý��վ student leaders last November who were invited to envision a future campus grounded in courageous dialogue and relationship‑building amid global polarization. Their ideas were inspiring and offer a foundation for campus‑wide efforts to build our collective capacity for constructive, respectful dialogue.

Thank you again to the Panel and to all who contributed to its important work.

Sincerely,

Deep Saini

President and Vice-Chancellor

�鶹��ý��վ

Communications

Messages to Community