George Burton was pretty blunt with his follow-up reaction to the international student housing controversy that the school dealt with in early September.
In an open letter to the citizens of North Bay, Canadore's President and CEO stated that the college encountered a number of conflicting agendas, "supported by various interests, lobbying for reduced international tuition, low-cost housing, home country politics, and online study access which generated challenges for our staff and students."
Students made signs and attempted to set up tents in front of the Canadore College Commerce Court Campus, and were subsequently told by Canadore officials to set up off the property, so a couple of large tents were assembled in front of a bus stop instead. International students told BayToday that at least 20 camped out that night inside the tent.
Burton does not believe that.
He elaborated on the incident that he called a "publicity stunt."
"The tent on campus was set up by a group that decided to make a statement, they were not driven by our students and they set up their tent," said Burton.
"They asked for volunteers to stay in a tent overnight, the tent was set up. If you looked inside the tent, there were no living accommodations in there. There were refreshments provided by the group - I appreciate them feeding those students - and of course, the next day they left. It did bring attention to the housing issue which is not unique to North Bay."
Burton, finger-pointed to interference by outside groups who he believes spurred the initial controversy which he says included unreasonable housing demands such as dropping rental rates for international students down to $250 per month.
"But this was not the venue nor this is the group to do it," said Burton.
"First and foremost, our students have a right to express their opinions and we really appreciate that and we actually encourage the institution of higher learning. However, we do not need groups from outside the community, intersecting or interceding between us and our students, we deal with them directly. And when that occurs, we take this very seriously and we don't condone that type of activity."
See related: Students sleeping in tents a 'publicity stunt' says Canadore Prez
See related: International student dilemma resolved
One of those outside groups was the Montreal Youth Students Organization known as MYSO. Manpreet Kaur spoke on behalf of the international students.
"After 24 hours of a firm front, the college management was finally forced to accept the demands of the students," Kaur stated in a release on September 7.
"The college administration assured the students that accommodation will be arranged for the students at affordable rates, the full fee will be refunded without any deduction and the student's classes will be made online as per IRCC rules,"
Burton added the whole situation created a bad look for Canadore College and the entire community He added that Canadore had access to accommodation for all students who wished to be housed and claimed no student was required to sleep in a car, tent, bus shelter, bus depot, or air terminal unless they chose to do so.
"We didn't find any students sleeping in tents anywhere," said Burton.
"We did not find students sleeping in the car. If there are then we really need to know about it because we do have accommodation for them. And I think that type of rumour, you know, doesn't want any good. It doesn't do the reputation of North Bay, Canadore, and this great community we live in any justice."
Despite the situation, Burton hopes the school learns from the situation.
BayToday reached out to MYSO for a response to Burton's claims but did not receive a reply by the publication deadline.
