The Canadian Association of University Teachers is looking into charges that academic freedom was violated at the University of Calgary.

According to a CBC investigation, senior academics are alleging that Enbridge inappropriately interfered in the University’s Centre for Corporate Sustainability after the company provided a donation.

The former director of the Centre claims he was let go from the position after raising concerns about Enbridge’s influence in the Centre, while another left in protest over the University’s failure to defend academic freedom.

“Universities have an obligation to actively defend the academic freedom of professors,” said CAUT executive director David Robinson. “If the allegations are true, the University of Calgary administration will have to be held to account.”

Robinson says the matter will be discussed further within CAUT and may be taken up with a formal investigation.