Niagara College, based in Welland Ontario, is under increasing fire for its discriminatory gender-based courses in Saudi Arabia

Niagara College, based in Welland Ontario, is under increasing fire for its discriminatory gender-based courses in Saudi Arabia
Photo Credit: Niagara College

Ontario colleges under fire for Saudi discrimination

Three Ontario colleges have been criticized for operating gender-segregated programmes in Saudi Arabia, a concept which critics say goes against Canadian values. Since being brought to public attention, two of the colleges have pulled out of those programmes.

However, Niagara College, which says its involvement has been profitable and benefits other programmes at its campuses in Ontario, is continuing with its Saudi training.

Gender discrimination, violence, executions

Now, the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) is threatening sanctions against the Welland Ontario-based institution over its overseas campus which allow gender-discrimination.

Part of Niagara College’s Taif campus in Saudi Arabia where courses on tourism, hospitality and business are offered at the male-only school
Part of Niagara College’s Taif campus in Saudi Arabia where courses on tourism, hospitality and business are offered at the male-only school © Niagara College

In a letter sent to the Niagara College President, the CAUT said the “offshore gender-segregated campuses and programs operate in a repressive country known for its severe clampdown on freedom of expression, mass executions, and gender-based discrimination and violence”.

“At odds with Ontario values” W Thomas OPSEU president

The letter is also signed by a college staff union representative and by members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU).

In a December 8 statement on their website, OPSEU president Warren Thomas says, “It’s ridiculous – women can’t even attend classes without the permission of a male guardian. This is a regime that doesn’t reflect what we believe in, and our publicly-funded colleges shouldn’t be propping it up”.  He added that public money shouldn’t be funding a system at odds with Ontario values.

In January of this year, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne said it was “unacceptable” for publicly-funded Ontario colleges to have campuses and programmes that exclude women.

It was later learned that Niagara College also offers a nursing course for females at another Saudi school, although that is segregated to females only.

In November Premier Wynne  said that although unaware of details, she is satisfied the college is teaching both men and women there.

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne criticized Ontario colleges fro providing male-only courses in Saudi Arabia. She has since expressed confidence in Niagara College as it provides trainingfor women as well at another campus.
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne criticized Ontario colleges fro providing male-only courses in Saudi Arabia. She has since expressed confidence in Niagara College as it provides trainingfor women as well at another campus. © Pierre-Olivier Bernatchez/CBC

Engagement, not isolation Niagara College

In an email response to CBC news this month, Niagara College spokesperson Niagara College acknowledges “the cultural differences” between Saudi Arabia and Canada, she said. But the college “has chosen a path of engagement rather than isolation”.

Earlier this year, Centennial College of Scarborough also operated a programme that excluded women.  Shortly after Sun Media wrote about that corporate apprentice training programme, the college said it would not renew the deal in Saudi Arabia when it expired in April.

Another Ontario college Algonquin, had been operating 10 male only programmes including business, electrical engineering, and accounting at a campus it opened in 2013 in Saudi Arabia.  In August, it announced it would end its involvement in the country citing financial losses.

Additional information – sources

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