By Peter McInnis

In the 2021 political satire “Don’t Look Up,” astronomers attempt to warn authorities and the public of an approaching comet that would destroy human civilization. The allegory of ignoring the dire consequences of climate change is apt for our present situation as post-secondary educators.

The unstable geopolitical condition we find ourselves in, spurred in large measure by the fecklessness of the current American administration and the uncertainty of federal and provincial economies facing an inflicted recession, has serious implications for us all. At a time when substantial reinvestment in education is overdue, the message coming from governments and institutions is one of austerity and retrenchment.

The legacy of our universities and colleges, constructed over more than 60 years of incremental progress, is imperiled as never before.

The ongoing defunding of Canadian higher education and its replacement by massively increased tuition — for domestic students, international students, and professional programs — has also led to an increased reliance on private donors and endowments. In other instances, provincial funding is exclusively targeted to selected applied disciplines and programs while leaving others to fend for themselves. The move away from sustainable public funding for multidisciplinary higher education introduces further inequities and barriers to solidarity.

Definitions of neoliberalism vary but encompass linking our institutions to marketization, deregulation, privatization of public services, regressive taxation, and sharp limits on social spending. This culminates in the radical transformation in the real functions of the public university that has been described as a “termite-like ideology” that bores into one’s mind to undermine the imagining of democratic alternatives.

In such times, there is an understandable tendency to focus on research and teaching — tasks we can control. We must, however, resist the inclination to retreat to the office or laboratory. Remaining detached won’t save us from those who would undermine the basic principles and viability of advanced education.

Collectively, we must take strength from our national federation of engaged educators to influence the future of Canadian post-secondary institutions. This is a fight for which we should engage and motivate others to do the same.

CAUT has long advocated for stability in federal research funding. From the successful “Get Science Right” campaign to recent lobbying efforts to support fundamental investigator-led projects, our national voice has made a difference. We have also called for transparency and accountability for international students, with the expectation that visa issuance will be conducted rationally and fairly. Similarly, as any financial downturn leaves contract academic staff vulnerable, we stand firm against the exploitation of vulnerable colleagues.

To this end, CAUT has developed resources to aid in the defence of our profession. The Almanac analyzes expenditures on post-secondary education, employment diversity, salary scales, student enrolments, and related metrics. The Equity Toolkit presents strategies for advancing and sustaining equity-deserving groups.

Practical advice for matters of academic freedom, collective bargaining and governance is available. The collective bargaining dashboard and collective agreement database provide precise information on comparator institutions.

CAUT legal services and ongoing advocacy are directed at federal initiatives related to funding, domestic/ international students, and contract academic staff. Annual workshops, fora and conferences, both online and in-person, offer support for members as well as the opportunity to meet with national colleagues. We are not alone, and we have the means to make a difference now that the need is apparent.

The desire to have representation with an effective national federation and access to member services has resulted in our recent expansion. CAUT welcomes new unions from Saskatchewan and Quebec, raising our total membership to over 75,000 at 130 universities and colleges nationally. There is strength in numbers as there is in a mutual determination to defend higher education, not only in terms of professional working environments but also to ensure equity for students who benefit from access to quality university and college degrees and programs.

The growing response to foreign threats may assume various forms. For some it’s an affirmation of our national identity and shared values, or the exercise of our consumer choices to buy Canadian. This resistance should also entail an active engagement to defend a heritage of research and propagation of knowledge.

In times like these, we must act resolutely on behalf of ourselves and others. It’s time to look up.