The McGill Tribune Vol. 14 Issue 13

Page 1

P u b lis h e d b y th e S tu d e n ts ’ S o c ie ty o f M c G ill U n iv e rs ity

McGill inquiry questioned

N ew s McGill’s sexual harass­ ment assessors present their annual report. See Page 3

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By Michael Broaphurst____________ • McGill’s inquiry into the April 10, 1994 suicides of professor Justine Sergeant and her husband has prompted a legal petition to halt it by the representative of her estate, ClaudeArmand Sheppard. Sergeant committed suicide amidst allega­ tions of scientific misconduct and problems at the department of neurology and neurosurgery. M cGill appointed Casper Bloom, former Bâtonnier of the Barreau de Montréal, to con­ duct an investigation to “inquire, make find­ ings of fact and review its internal procedures with specific reference to the academic and professional life of Dr. Sergeant while at McGill.” That statement was issued April 20, ten days after Sergeant’s death. Sheppard’s request asks the court to tem­ porarily suspend Bloom’s inquiry until a hear­ ing into the McGill process can be held. Among the complaints cited in Sheppard’s petition are: • McGill’s refusal to allow Sergeant’s estate to participate in the review in order to ensure that the dignity and honour of the deceased is preserved; • Bloom’s potential lack of objectivity due to his son’s registration in the Faculty of Medicine at McGill, the faculty in question; • Bloom’s employment, and subsequent pay­ ment for conducting the investigation, which Sheppard alleges compromises his objectivity because “McGill would always be in a position to instruct him.” Bloom refused to comment on the petition when contacted by the T ribune. He said that it was a violation of legal ethics to discuss a mat­ ter that was before the courts. Bloom, Sheppard and representatives of McGill met with an Associate Justice of the Superior Court yesterday to set a date for a formal hearing of the petition. Sheppard’s petition notes that before McGill appointed Bloom to conduct the inves­ tigation, it rejected two other candidates who were deemed to have connections to the uni­ versity that could compromise their objectivity. Sergeant had many conflicts with other members of the department of neurology and neurosurgery, particularly M ontreal Neurological Institute Dirçctor Richard A. Murphy, according to the petition. Murphy allegedly requested Sergeant’s dismissal in writing on at least one occasion. In March, Sergeant was denied promotion to full profes­ sor due to technical difficulties with her cur­ riculum vitae, according to the petition.

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Focus and multiculturalism. Canadian cult or identity? See Page 11

Editorial Racial intolerance in the land of the free? 16-yearold held in Vermont state prison. See Page 6 ENTERTAINMENT Baby, ’nuf juicy hip-hop offerings to make you ill. Plus, a wholesome enter­ tainment guide for the whole family, drama and books. See Page 17 SPORTS McGill enters into anoth­ er era with opening of new Athletics Facilities. See Page 23 Colum nists P. Darvasi.............Page 19 T. Frankel.................. Page7 B. Van Dijk............... Page7

Departments Crossword................. Page8 Observer.................... Page8 What’s On............Page 27 W orld A ids Day December 1st Information and speakers. Shatner 107/8, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. See “What’s On” Section

See Sergeant Page 9

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On December 6, 1989, 14 w om en were m urdered a t Université de M ontréal’s Ecole Polytechnique by M arc Lépine. A coalition o f w o m en ’s organisations a t McGill will hold a m em orial service to remember them, Tuseday, D ecem ber 6 in Redpath H all a t 2 p .m . A related film will be screened a t 3:00 in Shatner 425- Discussion to follow.

Canadians renew debate on cultural mosaic By Michael Broaphurst The official federal policy of multiculturalism causes many Canadians to break out into fits of rage. Unlike the United States, Canada’s fed­ eral government is bound to promote and enhance the cultural diversity of the country. Though the policy was not enormously pop­ ular twenty years ago when it was originally con­ ceived, several recent developments have renewed debate on the controversial policy. Toronto novelist Neil Bissoondath recently wrote Selling Illusions: The Cult o f M ulticulturalism in C a n a d a , which is a biting vilification of

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Volume 14 Issue 13

In Domino Confido

November 29th, 1994

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Canada’s policy. The Reform Party’s strong presence in Parliament has affected the debate as well, because its official platform is to dissolve the federal Department of Multiculturalism. But many in Canada support official multi­ culturalism, and reject the Reform Party’s sug­ gestion that it is a divisive element in Canadian society. As part of a special section on multicul­ turalism in Canada, the Tribune spoke with the Citizens’ Participation and Multiculturalism Branch director Judy Young, and Line Maheux, the Quebec Regional Director of the Reform Party of Canada. See Multiculturalism Section, Page 11

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