Sask. academics shun travel to U.S. amid political climate
CBC
Some academics in Saskatchewan say they are turning their backs on travel south of the border as the U.S. political landscape continues to shift under the policies of President Donald Trump.
Wendy Verity told CBC and Radio-Canada this month she's had to carefully consider her options: pursue career opportunities or stand in solidarity with Canada.
Verity, a doctoral student in the department of community health and epidemiology at the University of Saskatchewan, was accepted to attend a sports medicine conference in the United States in May.
"I'm late in my PhD program, so I'm going to graduate soon and so this is kind of part of building a CV and forming research networks," she said.
"The opportunities to present my work are shrinking."
It's a decision more academics are grappling with as they deal with changing immigration policies in the United States and threats to academic freedom from President Donald Trump.
Nazeem Muhajarine, a professor of community health and epidemiology at the University of Saskatchewan, said he recently declined an invitation to attend a conference in Atlanta, Ga.
Although he has a Canadian passport, the Sri Lankan-born academic fears facing potential repercussions if he stays in the United States.
Muhajarine said the stricter policies put in place by Trump made him feel unsafe about traveling to Georgia.
"At times like this I think we have to think twice about the decisions we make, and hopefully a time will come when things will get back to the way they were," said Muhajarine.
Academics may not be the only ones reconsidering travel south of the border.
Data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data shows the the number of cross-border travellers going from Canada to the U.S. dropped by nearly 900,000 in March compared to the same month last year
For Muhajarine, it's about putting his money where his mouth is.
"I really don't want to be part of the economy there. I don't want to spend my money in the U.S.," he said.
Frank Gehry, the Canadian-born renegade architect behind some of the world's most recognizable buildings, has died at 96.
Hundreds of P.E.I. parents can't find child-care spaces, especially for infants. The provincial government says expanding those spots remains a top priority — and it recognizes the concern.
An Alberta judge says a referendum proposal on Alberta separating from Canada goes against Charter and and Treaty rights, in a decision given less than 24 hours after the provincial government introduced legislation that would have ended the court proceeding.
The architect of Alberta's politician recall legislation says it was never meant to be used as a political weapon, but as an "ultimate tool of accountability" if a politician engages in illegal or unethical behaviour.
The Government of Saskatchewan has introduced its long-promised involuntary treatment legislation on the final day of the fall sitting.
The Law Society of Ontario has suspended the licence of Deepak Paradkar, one of seven Canadians arrested in connection with alleged drug lord Ryan Wedding’s cocaine smuggling ring.
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is getting rid of unlimited mental health benefits for staff, blaming ballooning costs and former administrators for implementing it without proper due diligence or oversight.
Netflix has agreed to buy Warner Bros. Discovery's TV and film studios and streaming division for $72 billion US, a deal that would hand control of one of Hollywood's most prized and oldest assets to the streaming pioneer that has upended the media industry.
CBC Calgary kicks off its annual Make the Season Kind campaign this morning at Fratello Coffee Roasters.
CBC Newfoundland and Labrador is kicking off its annual holiday campaign, helping to raise money to support local food banks.
If all goes according to plan, at 6 a.m. AT on Saturday people working at the IWK Health Centre will become the test case for a generational change to Nova Scotia’s health-care system.
One month after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced what he called "generational" military spending, New Brunswick’s defence ecosystem is on high alert.
Miranda Mirlycourtois, 34, looks directly at the camera and makes a confession.