UQAT calls on QC court to allow for reversal of $500K donation

The Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue is attempting to reverse a $500K donation received from Bryan A Coates in 2020, reports La Presse. In August 2021, UQAT rector Vincent Roussan and two other university employees reportedly met with Coates at a restaurant to discuss a fundraising campaign. After the rector left the dinner, Radio-Canada and La Presse report that Coates committed acts of sexual violence, as defined by UQAT’s code of conduct, against the employees. UQAT and the Fondation de l’UQAT have cut ties with Coates, and the foundation has been trying to return the donation provided by Coates. The foundation faces a potential $525K penalty from the Canada Revenue Agency for returning it, as well as jeopardizing its registration as a charitable organization, and is requesting that the province’s court system annul the donation due to the seriousness of the circumstances. La Presse| Radio Canada Note: Archived stories may contain dead links or be missing source links.