A valedictorian’s speech for the University of Manitoba’s Max Rady College of Medicine sparked considerable debate last week. According to CBC, the valedictorian used part of his speech to focus on Gaza and call for a ceasefire. The speech was then published online as part of the convocation video and parts of it spread over social media. UManitoba College of Medicine Dean Dr Peter Nickerson said that the speech was “divisive and inflammatory” and that some people at the ceremony were “disappointed and alarmed by the political message.” In an open letter, philanthropist Ernest Rady–a major donor to UManitoba–denounced the speech and the university’s response, and called for the video to be taken down. Nickerson clarified that the speech was not endorsed by the college, and confirmed in a statement to CBC that the video has since been removed.
