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I wonder what local MPPs Doug Downey and Andrea Khanjin are thinking today after the tabling of legislation to allow Canada Christian College and School of Graduate Theological Studies to begin calling itself Canada University and School of Graduate Theological Studies?
Will Canada Christian College begin to teach European and North American history from a “Christian” point of view? Will the religiously run residential schools be mentioned? How will the 8th-century rise of Islam be viewed?
Will the institution mention that, for many centuries, Islamic libraries – established and well-funded by curious, intelligent Muslim caliphs – preserved and built upon the mathematical and scientific knowledge of the Greeks and Romans until the European 'Dark Ages' had passed? Or will Canada University teach only Christian science?
How will the institution deal with evolution?
Meanwhile, does Doug Downey, parachuted into our community from somewhere well north of us, realize that Barrie has been wanting a university for decades? Does he care? Does he realize that our Georgian College has enjoyed many years of collaboration with several universities, and today grants degrees to nurses and pharmacists. Did he argue in caucus that our Georgian College is far more deserving of university status than Canada Christian College?
Do the Conservatives and Premier Doug Ford understand that granting university status to Canada Christian College and School of Graduate Theological Studies may devalue the standing of all other Ontario universities in the eyes of the world?
So many questions, so few answers.
Peter Bursztyn
Barrie
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