By Teresa Workman

The Nova Scotia government’s recent introduction of Bill 12 — one of several pieces of legislation that will remove environmental protections, limit freedom of information, and align our universities with government priorities — has left a distinct chill in the air that we all feel here on the East Coast. Add to that the downright uneasy feeling emanating from the political climate south of the border, and I would describe the university community here as concerned. In these fractious times, it is imperative that we stand together against this dangerous piece of legislation.

If passed, Bill 12 would grant the Minister of Advanced Education unprecedented authority over university governance, research priorities and institutional decision-making. While the bill is framed as a measure for sustainability and accountability, it threatens the very foundation of academic independence and university autonomy. The government’s overreach into our institutions is not just an administrative issue — it is a fundamental attack on the ability of universities to foster critical thinking, innovation and democratic discourse.

Research Nova Scotia Corporation, an independent organization that funds research in the province, will be forced to align its funding decisions with government-mandated priorities. This gives the minister unilateral power to dictate key research directions. As a result, critical areas of study that may not align with the government’s immediate political agenda — such as climate change research, disability management or agri-genomics — could see funding cut or eliminated.

Universities exist to cultivate critical thinking, innovation and academic freedom, not to serve as an echo chamber for government preferences. When research is dictated by political motives rather than intellectual pursuit, the entire province suffers.

Bill 12 would allow the minister to withhold funding if a university does not align with government-imposed social and economic priorities. Additionally, the bill empowers the minister to impose a “revitalization plan” at their discretion — meaning universities could be forced into restructuring based on political motives rather than educational needs. This amendment threatens the right to collective bargaining for university employees.

Another component of Bill 12 is the University Board Governance Act. This allows the minister to appoint up to half of a university’s Board of Governors, thereby granting the government direct influence over university governance. The independence of Boards of Governors is critical to ensure that universities are run in the best interests of their students, faculty and communities — not according to the political whims of the government of the day. The bill does not consider the crucial role that senates play in university governance. By undermining this collegial governance model, the bill dismantles the democratic structure that allows universities to function as independent institutions.

But the most alarming effect of this bill is the fear and apprehension that academic staff are facing. Academic staff across Nova Scotia’s universities are unsettled by Bill 12, which represents an unprecedented level of government intrusion into post-secondary institutions. This legislation threatens the fundamental autonomy of universities, shifting power away from academic experts and into the hands of government-appointed administrators with priorities that may not align with the core mission of higher education. The fear is not just about policy changes — it is about the erosion of academic freedom, the potential for politically motivated decision-making, and the chilling effect this will have on both academic staff and students.

There is a real fear that this legislation could lead to funding decisions based on compliance rather than academic merit, forcing universities to cater to government-defined “social and economic priorities” at the expense of disciplines that foster creativity, critical analysis and innovation. The threat of programs being cut or weakened, particularly in the humanities and social sciences, is real — especially for smaller, rural institutions that lack the financial flexibility of their urban counterparts.

Bill 12 is not just a policy shift. It is an existential threat to the integrity of higher education in Nova Scotia. Once university independence is compromised, it may be nearly impossible to restore. At a time when collaboration between government and academia is needed most, Bill 12 risks centralizing power in a way that silences independent thought, curtails research freedom, and diminishes the ability of universities to serve as critical pillars of democracy.

With a super-majority, as the NS government currently has, it may not be possible to stop this bill. By the time this goes to press, Bill 12 may have already achieved royal assent. But if we have even a smidgeon of a chance to stop it, it will take all stakeholders to actively oppose Bill 12 and demand a fair and transparent legislative process that protects the independence of Nova Scotia’s universities. We cannot allow Bill 12 to pass without resistance. We must stand together because the only way to stop a bully is through collective strength.

The future of Nova Scotia’s universities, and the quality of education for generations to come, depends on our willingness to fight for academic freedom today. We owe it to our universities to try.

Teresa Workman, MPR is the Communications Manager for the Association of Nova Scotia University Teachers (ANSUT).