August 19, 2025 – The Dalhousie University administration has issued an unprecedented lockout notice to nearly 1,000 faculty, librarians, counsellors and instructors.
“This move by the administration is reckless and will damage the reputation of the institution,” said David Westwood, president of the Dalhousie Faculty Association (DFA). “Faculty members can’t apply for research grants, we have to pause our research, students will be second-guessing their decision to come to Dalhousie. A lockout affects every aspect of the teaching and research that happens at Dalhousie.”
The lockout is set to begin tomorrow even though members of the DFA are voting on the university’s final contract offer, with results expected on August 21.
“Dalhousie would have the dubious distinction of being the first research-intensive university in Canada to lock out its faculty,” said David Robinson, executive director of the Canadian Association of University Teachers. “Academic staff from across the country are watching closely and will be fully supporting the DFA and its members.”
Salaries, workload and job security remain key issues in the negotiations, which have been ongoing since May.
