The independent third-party review into allegations of workplace misconduct at UPEI was a focus in the provincial legislature on Thursday. The damning report into the culture at UPEI says participants described an environment in which there are frequent racist, sexist, and ableist behaviours. Premier Dennis King, who faced questions from Liberal Opposition MLA Gord McNeilly and Green Third Party MLA Karla Bernard, referred to the report as “troubling and sickening” — and says it erodes the trust, confidence and faith that we need to have in such an important institution as UPEI. In fact, King indicated that as a parent, it would be hard for him right now to recommend UPEI as an institution his son should consider.
On Thursday afternoon, the Premier met with UPEI Interim President Dr. Greg Keefe, and Pat Sinnott, chair of the UPEI Board of Governors. King says he told them he would be appointing an independent auditor to ensure that the recommendations in the report were being met. The Premier also indicated to them that he needed to see the action plan and timeline for change. The Premier says he also told Keefe and Sinnott that he planned to formalize the province’s funding arrangement with the university, adding stipulations — and if the required progress is not being made, the funding would stop.
