U of T keeping close watch on impact of US travel restrictions
The University of Toronto is keeping close watch on events related to President Trump’s order restricting travel to the United States from seven countries.
“We are working collectively with Universities Canada to express our concern regarding the travel restrictions, and our support for international students and scholars across the country who may be affected by these actions,” says President Meric Gertler. “The strength of research and teaching at the University of Toronto has always been based upon our ability to welcome the most talented individuals from around the world, and the freedom of our faculty and students to travel abroad for purposes of scholarship and study.
“Actions that impede this would be terribly harmful to our academic community, and to Canadian research and scholarship more broadly,” Gertler added. “The idea of targeting and restricting the travel of individuals on the basis of their nationality or birthplace is antithetical to everything we stand for as an institution and a country.”
In a statement posted on Sunday, Universities Canada said "Canada’s universities continue to welcome students, faculty and staff from around the world, including those seeking refuge from violence and hardship....We support Prime Minister Trudeau’s recent statement that Canada will continue to welcome those 'fleeing persecution, terror and war' regardless of faith and affirming that 'diversity is our strength'."