Poilievre’s Pledge to Cut “Woke” Research Funding Raises Concerns

Key takeaways:

• Pierre Poilievre has promised to cut federal funding for university research he believes is influenced by what he calls “woke ideology,” but has not said how that would be judged or who would decide.

  
  

• A group representing 8,000 professors from 18 Quebec universities says this promise threatens academic freedom and could stop research on important social topics.

  
  

• Experts say “woke” is often used to dismiss research that supports diversity, equality, or social justice, raising concerns about political interference in research.

A group representing more than 8,000 professors and 18 universities across Quebec are raising concerns about a new campaign promise from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. In his Quebec platform, released in late March, Poilievre pledged to stop federal funding for university research he believes is influenced by “woke ideology.”

The promise was part of a larger plan Poilievre presented while campaigning in Quebec. He said his government would remove what he calls “woke influence” from both the civil service and research funding. However, he did not explain what research would be affected or how funding decisions would be made.

The Fédération québécoise des professeures et professeurs d’université (FQPPU), which represents more than 8,000 professors at 18 universities across the province, said this could threaten academic freedom. The group’s president, Madeleine Pastinelli, said the pledge is alarming and could limit researchers’ ability to explore important issues.

Experts say the term “woke” is often used in a negative way to describe people or research that supports social justice, equality, or diversity. In 2023, Poilievre said “woke” ideas divide people by race, gender, religion, or other factors.

Sources:

https://www.montrealgazette.com/news/canada/canadian-politics/article850096.html