As the Government of Canada increases investment in defence, new University Affairs Prof vs Prof pieces debate the role that Canadian universities should play. In the case for, Martin Maltais (Université du Québec à Rimouski) asserts that universities already contribute to defence efforts by providing education for highly skilled professionals in Canada’s military. As modern militaries are “knowledge-based” organizations, Maltais says that universities are well suited to meet the demands for these professionals. In the case against, Henry A Giroux (McMaster University) argues that deep ties with the military can warp cultural and political perspectives. As funding is increasingly tied to defence research, Giroux says that universities risk losing a culture of social justice and work for the public good in favour of placating defence needs.
