UNB defends prof's academic freedom in wake of racism complaint

A University of New Brunswick vice-president is defending a professor's academic freedom in the wake of a recent complaint of racism.

Kerry Jang, a Vancouver city councillor, had asked the university to investigate the allegedly racist views of Prof. Ricardo Duchesne, who argues that the influx of Asian immigrants is threatening Canada's European character. Jang contends the sociology professor’s comments constitute hate speech.

But in an emailed statement to CBC News on Wednesday, MacKinnon said Jang's concerns were "carefully reviewed and addressed last summer."

"Academic freedom is a foundational principle of university life," he said.  "The university statement of mission and values very clearly supports the freedom of thought and expression while maintaining the highest ethical standards and a respectful environment."

​Duchesne, a professor in the department of social science at UNB Saint John, said he challenges students to rethink the values of multiculturalism.  "Why are people so afraid that they don't want people like me to talk?" he said.

Duchesne's published academic work exalts Western culture, which, he says, is threatened by overwhelming numbers of immigrants.

He said immigrants don't respect white liberals, who don't take pride in their own nation and hand over everything.

"Sweden had practically no rape. Suddenly, they open their borders, they have one of the highest rape statistics in the world," he said.  "In Norway, it's happening, the same thing."

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