Support Margaret Somerville

Dear Awards and Ceremonial Committee of the Academic Council of the University of Ryerson:

Where, after further consideration of the situation regarding the recognition of the achievements of Dr. Margaret Somerville, as outlined in the Toronto Star article: http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1149717019580&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154&t=TS_Home ; and

Where, after further consideration of the online petition requesting the disinvitation of Dr. Somerville, found at: http://www.petitiononline.com/5087MCT/petition.html ;

Be it noted that, as a University that prides itself on freedom of expression and creed, and as a public institution that follows all related freedoms and their definitions in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Ontario Human Rights Code, Ryerson University will agree that Dr. Somerville is entitled to her opinions on same-sex marriage and abortion, which are not oppressive or homophobic or sexist in any way, shape, or form, but instead mere, plausible differences in opinion, supported as points of expression and creed.

I, the undersigned, wish to pledge my support for the efforts of Dr. Somerville, a distinguished and decorated scholar and professor of McGill University, "in both the Faculty of Law - where she holds the Samuel Gale Chair - and the Faculty of Medicine and was founding director of the McGill Centre for Medicine, Ethics and Law" (http://www.law.mcgill.ca/faculty/bio_display-en.htm?printBio=36).

I do urge that the University of Ryerson will continue to pride itself on accepting freedom of expression and creed while supporting those who continue to make a difference to become a part of Canadian Heritage and History.

With great honour.