Press Release: BCCLA to Intervene in UBC ‘Academic Freedom’ Petition

Press Release

June 9, 2026

xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh) / Vancouver, BC – The BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) has been granted intervener status in the case of Irvine et al v University of British Columbia.

This case is a challenge to the University’s use of land acknowledgments, implementation of equity diversity and inclusion principles, and adoption of statements condemning Israel. The Petitioners argue that these actions violate the University Act because they are inconsistent with institutional neutrality and undermine academic freedom.

BCCLA intervenes in this case to argue that the University must be a diverse community of scholars, capable of providing instruction in all branches of knowledge. This necessarily requires the University to act and make decisions that are consistent with equality, freedom of expression, and Indigenous rights. The University Act must be interpreted in a way that allows all of these values to flourish.

Read our Notice of Application

Read our statement about the case

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