Statement from the President

Over the past forty-eight hours, we have gathered across this country and beyond to mourn the loss of life resulting from Sunday’s attack on the Centre Culturel Islamique de Quebec.

Yesterday’s memorial event on our campus reinforced our continued commitment to respect for diversity and affirmed our shared understanding that an attack motivated by hate against any particular religious or national group goes against the values of higher education that we hold dear at Saint Mary’s University.

On behalf of the University, I offer condolences to the families of those whose lives have been lost and I affirm the support we will provide to students, faculty and staff of Muslim faith, in our multi-faith, multi-national community.

As Canada’s international university, we have taken on a bold responsibility for diversity, respect, tolerance and understanding – and we take on this responsibility during a challenging period in history. I am confident in the strength of our academic community, its ability to foster a sense of global citizenship, and its adherence to Santamarian values. 

President and Vice-Chancellor
Rob Summerby-Murray