Years of financial mismanagement at Laurentian University culminated in the administration’s unprecedented and unnecessary decision to file for insolvency protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) on February 1, 2021. As a result, 69 programs were eliminated, and 200 faculty and staff lost their jobs. For more context on this issue, members are encouraged to read the Auditor General’s special report from November, 2022.
With the support of CAUT and the Laurentian University Faculty Association, a local committee of terminated faculty has established a fund to assist those who lost their jobs. The April 12 Laurentian Fired Faculty Distress Fund will provide one-time donations to eligible individuals experiencing financial hardship. Donations will be used to meet childcare, health care, housing, transportation, and other urgent needs.
On Friday May 26, UTFA Executive voted unanimously to donate $1000 to this Fund; this is the largest amount that the Executive is allowed to donate.
In addition to our organizational commitment, UTFA also encourages its members to donate to the Fund. Contributions can be made online by credit card at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/laurentianfiredfacultyapril12distressfund?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1
Alternatively, cheques can be made out to CAUT and mailed to:
Canadian Association of University Teachers
2705 Queensview Drive
Ottawa ON
K2B 8K2
Please ensure to note “April 12 Distress Fund” in the memo line on your cheque.