NDP demands Ross Romano apologize to Algoma University

Ontario's New Democratic Party wants Sault MPP Ross Romano to apologize to Algoma U for referring to his hometown university in today's question period in the Ontario Legislature.

Romano is the province's minister of colleges and universities.

He's being taken to task for a brief mention of Algoma U he made in defending the province's handling of a bid for expanded degree-granting powers by Canada Christian College, a controversial school run by evangelist Charles McVety.

McVety's stances on Islam and gays, lesbians and transgender people have led to allegations of bigotry and questions about his college's tolerance and its suitability to offer post-secondary degrees.

Answering a question this afternoon about links between McVety and Premier Ford and his cabinet, Romano responded that Canada Christian College's application will be handled by the same independent board that has reviewed Algoma University and Ontario College of Art and Design in recent months.

"It’s appalling that Romano would denigrate a distinguished post-secondary institution by even remotely likening it to a school run by someone known to espouse Islamophobic, homophobic and transphobic views," the Ontario NDP caucus said in a news release.

“Students, staff and faculty will be horrified to learn that Sault Ste. Marie’s local MPP is talking about the place they study and work in defending the government’s troubling attempt to legislate new degree-granting powers for a school run by someone known to espouse hateful views," said Chris Glover, NDP critic for colleges and universities.

“Mr. Romano should not be denigrating a distinguished institution like Algoma University to make excuses for a wrong-headed move by the Conservatives aimed at helping Ford’s bigoted friend McVety," Glover said.

"Mr. Romano owes Algoma University’s students, staff and faculty, an apology," he added.

Was Algoma University president Asima Vezina as upset about Romano's remarks as the New Democrats were?

Does she think Romano should apologize?

"No I do not," she tells SooToday.

"I have only known Ross to be fully supportive of Algoma University. I would never consider asking him for an apology," Vezina told us.

Reached by SooToday tonight, Romano also insisted his remarks reflected no disrespect for his hometown university.

"There is simply a process that was set and it is being followed here," he said.

Vezina actually supports the Ford government's decision to refer Canada Christian College's application to the Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board (PEQAB).

"The legislation referenced today is very beneficial to Algoma University as it will allow the university to grant degrees in any discipline, positioning us to be more responsive to local, regional and national labour market needs, and we'll be able to respond to student interest and demand, as well as to faculty interest in innovative program expansion," she said.

"All Algoma University programming requires ministerial consent that is based on a positive recommendation provided by the PEQAB."

"Although Algoma University does not comment on the applications provided by other institutions, we believe that PEQAB offers a fair and transparent external quality review process that our sector/university supports."

"While it's true that Algoma University was requested to undergo a PEQAB organizational review, so do many many others. According to the PEQAB website, there are approximately 90 current applications for different approvals posted," Vezina said.