Canadore President George Burton is blaming an "unrecognized organization from outside our region" for protests by international students over lack of housing, and termed claims of students sleeping in tents "a publicity stunt."
See: Homeless international students protesting at Canadore College
In an open letter to the citizens of North Bay, Burton says 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."
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.
"To suggest anything different is misguided," he said.
"Canadore is disappointed that a third party, an unrecognized organization from outside our region, involved itself in our efforts to find housing for our international students. This group, including students from another post-secondary institution who were agitating the situation, prevented us from interacting directly with those looking for housing, and provided information and advice that was unfounded and contravened the conditions of the students’ study permits."
Burton did not name the post-secondary institution he accuses of "agitating the situation" nor the "organization" from outside.
International students set up a tent during the protest but were thrown off college property and spent the night on a slab of asphalt nearby.
See: Canadore throws stranded students off its property. Left without shelter
"The tent set up at Commerce Court on the evening of September 6 was nothing short of a publicity stunt, orchestrated by the third party, that developed after the students turned down the accommodation options we offered," says Burton. "We had reports of students sleeping in their cars but were not able to corroborate this. If this is truly the case, we encourage those students to come forward so we can provide assistance."
Burton provided no evidence for his claims in the open letter.
The letter says each year students from more than 400 communities from Ontario and Canada and 30 countries around the world attend the facility.
"The College always considers community capacity when preparing its enrolment plan. This includes student accommodation availability, part-time employment opportunities, community-based cultural supports, and the College’s program and student supports capacity. We do not dump students into the community."
Burton claims many students involved in the demonstration live in southern Ontario and never intended to attend in-person classes in North Bay.
"Sixty students raised their hands when asked how many had secured housing in the Toronto area."
He adds the students were made aware of the cost of renting a room or an apartment in North Bay as part of the College’s communications.
"This cohort of students would have received this information beginning in January 2023. The unreasonable expectation to pay as low as $250 dollars per month for housing was created by outside groups and incorrect information provided by third parties."
Canadore agreed to house the demonstrating students in temporary accommodations until the end of October when more permanent options will become available.
See: International student dilemma resolved
And: Canadore upgrading old dorms in light of international student housing shortage
Those who wished to withdraw from their program to return to southern Ontario were given a full refund.
Going forward, the College will require mandatory confirmation of housing for all Canadore students as part of the automated registration process beginning with the Winter 2024 semester.
"We do not respond to anonymous inquiries, questions, or comments, or to individuals hiding behind fake personas," said Burton. "These comments, questions and inquiries are most often mean-spirited, disrespectful and not based on facts. We do not condone this type of behaviour, nor do we support organizations that encourage or facilitate this type of behaviour. We view this conduct as bullying."
Editor's note: BayToday reached out to Mr. Burton at the time of the protest for an explanation surrounding the event but got no response.
