Academic Freedom in Canada: A History

Barbara Robertson is the author of Wilfrid Laurier: The Great
Conciliator and the co-author of The Well-Filled Cupboard.

In this sympathetic and comprehensive account of the life and times of
academic freedom, Michiel Horn explains that the Canadian concept of
academic freedom owes something to the American idea (itself in part
German) that university professors ought to be free to teach and write
about their subject, and to the British belief that university
professors ought to be free to express their political opinions.

The author takes pains to point out that Canadian academics have been
“a timid crew.” In earlier years, their timidity was perhaps a
consequence of the “garrison mentality”—to use Northrop Frye’s
term—wherein loyalty to fragile institutions was valued more highly
than a critical spirit. Horn’s account extends from the trials and
tribulations of Professor Weir and Principal Leitch at Queen’s
University in the 1860s to contemporary times. The aftermath of World
War I—and more specifically, the Great Depression in the
1930s—coincided with an increase in political outspokenness, albeit an
outspokenness expressed by only a tiny percentage of professors. Among
them were such remarkable men as Frank Underhill and George Grube at the
University of Toronto, and Frank Scott and Eugene Forsey at McGill.

Horn’s account reaches a climax of sorts with the Harry Crowe case at
United College in Winnipeg. This complex case (to which Horn does
justice) led the recently formed Canadian Association of University
Teachers to take an interest in academic freedom, which, together with
expanding universities and a consequent shortage of staff, made for a
few relatively happy years. But times have changed, and Horn deals with
some of the new challenges that have arisen. He appeals for public
tolerance of a critical spirit in the universities, but he is all too
aware that it takes years or even decades for unpopular ideas to become
popular, if at all.