Langara College prof. reinstated after pro-Palestine rally comments

A Langara College professor, who suddenly lost her job almost two years ago after she participated in a pro-Palestinian rally, was officially reinstated this week, thanks to an arbitrator’s ruling.

The Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of BC (FPSE), which represents post-secondary instructors, maintains that politics had a lot to do with her firing.

Dr. Natalie Knight was awarded the chance to return to her job, reversing a dismissal after she allegedly made controversial remarks during a student-organized rally to support her following an earlier disciplinary hearing.

“Approximately 72 hours after that demonstration, and without a comprehensive investigation or due process, Dr. Knight was terminated for cause on January 26, 2024. Langara President Paula Burns announced the termination to the Langara community, the media, and the public prior to providing a written letter of termination to Dr. Knight,” the federation explained.

On Wednesday, arbitrator Randy Noonan awarded Knight reinstatement, concluding that the termination had violated her rights under the collective agreement, the Human Rights Code, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and the Langara College Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression.

The FPSE is calling it a critical victory, overturning what it calls an “unjust termination that was tainted by ministerial interference.”

The organization has maintained that Selina Robinson, the then Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, “abused her position to publicly advocate for Dr. Knight’s termination.”

The college denies being influenced by Robinson, but FPSE says it only acted after she called for Knight to be fired.

In turn, the federation and the Canadian Association of University Teachers called for Robinsion to resign.

On Feb. 5, 2024, Robinson stepped down from her post as minister. Robinson had faced growing calls for her resignation since she appeared in a panel discussion hosted by B’nai Brith. During the event, she said before it was settled by the modern population, Palestine was a “crappy piece of land with nothing on it.”

Knight says she is “tremendously grateful” for the support.

“My case is an important testimony to the collective power of unions to protect workers against the arbitrary actions of employers,” said Knight.

“I share this victory with everyone who has faced intimidation or threats to their livelihood for speaking out about the ongoing war in Gaza.”

Langara College has confirmed to 1130 NewsRadio that Knight resigned since her reinstatement.