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The recent protests at McGill University, where anti-Israel activists physically blocked access to lecture halls and disrupted classes, represent a troubling departure from the principles of free speech and Canadian values. On April 2, 2025, as reported by B’nai Brith Canada, masked protesters in the Bronfman Building prevented students from attending classes, with chants of “McGill, McGill you can’t hide, you’re complicit in genocide” echoing through the campus. While protest is a protected right, these actions crossed into intimidation and coercion, as students were denied their fundamental right to education. Free speech in Canada is about expressing ideas without fear of retribution, not about obstructing others’ rights or creating a hostile environment. Such behavior is distinctly un-Canadian, as it undermines the nation’s commitment to mutual respect, dialogue, and the rule of law—values that have long defined Canadian society.

McGill University’s response to these protests highlights a glaring abdication of responsibility. Despite the disruptions, which forced some classes online and led to acts of vandalism, the university’s initial reaction was tepid, only implementing ID-based access controls on April 4, 2025, after days of chaos. Advocacy groups like the Canadian Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center and concerned individuals have called for decisive action, pointing to the hostile environment created for Jewish students and the broader student body. McGill’s failure to swiftly address the physical blockades and ensure safe access to education sends a dangerous message: that the university prioritizes appeasing disruptive activists over protecting the rights of all students. This inaction not only erodes trust in the institution but also sets a precedent for tolerating intimidation under the guise of activism, further emboldening such behavior on Canadian campuses.

The protests at McGill reveal a deeper issue: a two-tier system of justice that is profoundly divisive for Canadian society. While the protesters faced little immediate consequence for their actions, students attempting to attend classes were left to fend for themselves, as seen in videos where individuals were physically blocked from entering lecture halls. This disparity in treatment—where one group’s “right” to protest is elevated above others’ rights to safety and education—creates a fractured campus environment. Jewish students, in particular, have reported feeling unsafe, with advocacy groups framing the protests as antisemitic. Meanwhile, some individuals with differing views supported the protesters, accusing Israel and its supporters of enabling genocide. This polarization reflects a broader societal trend where identity-based grievances are weaponized, pitting groups against each other rather than fostering unity, a core Canadian ideal.

My blog post *The Oblivious Irony of Canada’s Progressive Left*  provides a stark illustration of this trend, noting, “The progressive left’s obsession with identity politics has created a hierarchy of victimhood, where certain groups are given carte blanche to act with impunity, while others are silenced or vilified.” This observation captures the essence of the McGill protests, where the activists’ cause—framed as a fight against oppression—seemingly justified their coercive tactics, while the rights of other students were dismissed. Identity politics, as I argue, has become a divisive force in Canada, eroding the shared values of fairness and equality that once united the nation. The McGill protests are a microcosm of this larger societal shift, where the pursuit of “justice” for one group comes at the expense of others, deepening divisions and resentment.

In conclusion, the actions at McGill University are not a legitimate exercise of free speech but a violation of the principles that define Canada as a nation. By allowing protesters to intimidate and obstruct, McGill has failed its students, particularly those who felt targeted or unsafe, and has contributed to a two-tier system of justice that undermines Canadian unity. The divisive impact of identity politics, as highlighted in previously, underscores the urgent need for a return to shared values—respect, dialogue, and equal treatment under the law. Canadian society cannot thrive when one group’s rights are prioritized over another’s, and institutions like McGill must take responsibility to ensure that campuses remain spaces for learning, not coercion. Only by upholding these principles can Canada reclaim its identity as a nation of fairness and inclusion for all.