At the end of last week, the University of Waterloo issued a legal Trespass Notice to members of the protest encampment on the Grad House Green. The Trespass Notice required the encampment to leave immediately or face consequences in accordance with the Trespass to Property Act.
Unfortunately, the encampment remains in place in violation of Waterloo policies, and the law.
Today, lawyers representing the University served court documents to start a legal process to enforce the Trespass Notice and end the encampment.
The University is seeking an interlocutory injunction to end the encampment. Subject to the court’s approval, documents related to the legal process will be made available publicly through our legal counsel’s website.
We acknowledge that taking this next step will continue to make some on campus feel uncomfortable. The University will continue to uphold the values contained in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, including the right to free expression, in line with the principles it has received from the Task Force on Freedom of Expression and Inclusive Engagement.
We have said repeatedly, and as is expressed in the report from the Task Force on Freedom of Expression, the right to protest does not mean people have the right to endlessly occupy a shared university space. The behaviour of encampment members has crossed the line to intimidation and harassment making their ongoing presence untenable.
The University acknowledges that the information in this note may evoke feelings of trauma and harm in individuals. We remind you of the resources and supports available to University community members including the Employee and Family Assistance Program (for employees), Counselling Services (for students) and 211Ontario (for people with no affiliation to the University).
Vivek Goel
President and Vice-Chancellor
Office of the President
