The University of Alberta in Western Canada on Saturday announced it has fired the director of its campus sexual assault center, after she signed an open letter calling reports of sexual violence during Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel an “unverified accusation”, The Edmonton Journal reported.
University president Bill Flanagan issued a statement in which he said that “effectively immediately,” the director of the U of A Sexual Assault Center, Samantha Pearson, “is no longer employed by the university.”
The center and Pearson were listed as signatories to a petition from Ontario MPP Sarah Jama and Victoria City Councillor Susan Kim, which called on MPs who support a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza to resign in protest.
Jama was recently removed from the Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP) after a controversial statement about the Israel-Hamas war.
The letter which Pearson signed took particular issue with NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, who it said “repeated the unverified accusation that Palestinians were guilty of sexual violence.”
The Jewish Federation of Edmonton had condemned the use of the term “unverified accusation” writing on X, “Shouldn’t a sexual assault center believe all victims, and not just the non-Jewish ones?”
Flanagan said in his statement on Saturday that the sentiments expressed in the letter are “the former employee’s personal views and opinions do not in any way represent those of the University of Alberta.” He added the use of the university’s name was “unauthorized.”
“The University of Alberta stands firmly and unequivocally against discrimination and hatred on the basis of religion, race, ethnicity, national origin, and other protected categories,” Flanagan wrote, specifically identifying antisemitism.
“The services provided by the university, particularly those supporting the well-being and health of community members, must be open and welcoming to all individuals in our diverse community,” he said. “The new leadership at the Sexual Assault Center is committed to swiftly implementing the changes required to ensure this university commitment is upheld.”
He called the incident “profoundly hurtful” and said it “may have compromised the trust of individuals in our community. I also recognize the significant potential negative impact given the critical nature of the center’s work.”
Flanagan apologized for the “the hurt and distress this issue has caused members of our community and beyond. As a university, we commit to continued action to restore your trust.”