Concerns raised after changes to McGill Faculty of Medicine DEI office

Some are concerned about the changes to the DEI program at McGill University's Faculty of Medicine.

McGill University is making changes to its equity, diversity and inclusion office, which is sparking some backlash.

The move comes as Montreal’s Black community held a forum, addressing concerns about anti-DEI sentiment on Saturday.

Dozens gathered at the Black Community Resource Centre, learning from advocates like Svens Telemaque.

“Today we’re having a forum to address some of the issues happening in the Black community,” he said.

Issues the forum discussed included health care, education and the justice system.

“We’re fearful of this again,” said patients’ rights advocate Seeta Ramdass. “A wave of anti-dei sentiment is flowing from across the border.”

The change at the DEI office at McGill’s Faculty of Medicine meant letting go of racialized workers and replacing them with someone who is not.

Ramdass was among those replaced, and was surprised by the news.

“I’m still processing it,” she said.

McGill said the changes were about accountability.

“Changes have been made to reorganize the oversight of its EDI work to a higher level of accountability under the direct purview of the Office of the Dean of Medicine, moving them from the Social Accountability and Community Engagement Office into a new Community Engagement and Belonging hub,” McGill said in a statement.

Ramdass said the DEI work was not meant to favour one group over another.

“DEI wasn’t there to give an advantage to,” she said. “It was put in place to remove barriers.”