Toronto university has been cancelling classes on Jewish holidays for 34 years
An Ontario Human Rights Commission investigation has found that York University's policy of cancelling classes on Jewish holidays discriminates against students of other religions.
The report by investigator Kim Hanson found the Toronto university's practice violates the Ontario Human Rights Code's protection against discrimination based on a person's "creed."
"The university's practice of not scheduling classes on Jewish high holy days clearly results in differential treatment on the basis of creed, in that individuals of one group, those of Jewish faith, are given preferential treatment over others," stated the report.
The report was sent to the commission for consideration and the university has 21 days to respond to the report.
For the past 34 years, the university has cancelled two days of classes on Rosh Hashanah and one day on Yom Kippur. The policy came into place because administrators said many professors and students would miss those days anyway.
However, a new report by York professor Thomas Klassen shows the university's student base is much more diverse. Of the 51,000 students, Jewish students make up about 5.8 per cent, Muslim students 4.8 per cent, Catholic students 34.9 per cent, Protestant 22.1 per cent, other Christian 7.3 per cent, Hindu 3.6 per cent, Buddhist 2.1 per cent and Sikh two per cent.
A spokesperson for the university said students of any religious background can ask to be excused from class for a religious holiday.
The report by investigator Kim Hanson found the Toronto university's practice violates the Ontario Human Rights Code's protection against discrimination based on a person's "creed."
"The university's practice of not scheduling classes on Jewish high holy days clearly results in differential treatment on the basis of creed, in that individuals of one group, those of Jewish faith, are given preferential treatment over others," stated the report.
The report was sent to the commission for consideration and the university has 21 days to respond to the report.
For the past 34 years, the university has cancelled two days of classes on Rosh Hashanah and one day on Yom Kippur. The policy came into place because administrators said many professors and students would miss those days anyway.
However, a new report by York professor Thomas Klassen shows the university's student base is much more diverse. Of the 51,000 students, Jewish students make up about 5.8 per cent, Muslim students 4.8 per cent, Catholic students 34.9 per cent, Protestant 22.1 per cent, other Christian 7.3 per cent, Hindu 3.6 per cent, Buddhist 2.1 per cent and Sikh two per cent.
A spokesperson for the university said students of any religious background can ask to be excused from class for a religious holiday.
