URSU: Response to MP Randy Hoback’s condemnation of BDS resolution

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URSU, March 2, 2012

REGINA – The University of Regina Students’ Union (URSU) is saddened and disappointed by a recent statement made by Conservative Member of Parliament Randy Hoback (Prince Albert). Hoback called for the condemnation of a democratically-decided motion by members of the students’ union. During proceedings of the Canadian House of Commons on March 1, Hoback called for University of Regina President Vianne Timmons to condemn a motion passed at the URSU Annual General Meeting. The motion urged the students’ union to support the rights of Palestinian people and join the Boycott, Divestment and Sanction (BDS) movement against the state of Israel. 

Calling the resolution “one-sided” and “irresponsible”, Hoback failed to mention that the motion was passed after being discussed and voted on by members of the students’ union. “This kind of uninformed and inflammatory language from a Member of Parliament should be alarming to anyone who values intelligent debate and basic democratic principles,” said URSU President Kent Peterson. “These types of attacks are fitting given the election scandal allegations the Conservative Party finds itself dealing with currently,” Peterson added.

It is the hope of the students’ union that President Timmons will ignore Hoback’s demand to condemn the motion. “We fully expect that President Timmons will not condemn the students’ union, and will stand in solidarity with the students of the University of Regina,” said URSU Vice-President of External Affairs Paige Kezima. “It is shameful that a Member of Parliament, from Saskatchewan nonetheless, would seek to censor and control the actions of University of Regina students,” said Kezima. “This institution is supposed to be a bastion of political freedom and democratic discussion,” she added.

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For Additional Information, Contact:
Kent Peterson, URSU President
President@URSU.ca

One Response to URSU: Response to MP Randy Hoback’s condemnation of BDS resolution

  1. Well that was just the tip of the iceberg…..after how he attacked Weir last night we all must be wary of what might be coming in the future concerning this man…….be afraid, very afraid….he didn’t even blink when he was challenged by his own peers!!!!????