Laurentian president breaks silence, speaks about insolvency process
More than seven months after Laurentian University in Sudbury filed for creditor protection, Robert Haché, the school's president is speaking with the media about what happened.
In April, the university cut more than 60 programs and more than 150 jobs. Laurentian became the first publicly funded entity in Canada to seek bankruptcy protection.
Haché said it was either seek creditor protection or close the school's doors.
"It is the result of a long series of events over an extended period of time that literally left us with the difficult -- but necessary -- decision to enter creditor protection," he said.
The school's name has since become synonymous with financial difficulties. The Canadian government even met to ensure other schools aren't forced to pull a "Laurentian."
It's a reality that gives Haché mixed feelings.
"Because I know in the first instance how challenging this whole situation has been for the community -- and we've talked about the anger, the hurt, the angst, all the uncertainty that's caused by the decision to go through this restructuring process -- I fully appreciate that," he said.
"But on the other hand, I also know that if this option had not been available to Laurentian at the end of January this year, the university would have closed."
A lack of transparency has been a big issue for many in the community. Haché said he couldn't comment on what help -- if any was -- offered by the province, or when the public might get those answers.
"I know that people have a lot of questions, and they're questions that are difficult to answer in the context that we're in," he said.
For now, he said they are concentrating on rebuilding bridges and trust in the community. While there are no exact enrollment numbers yet, Haché said only 10 per cent of students were impacted by the deep cuts to programs.
"There is absolutely a lot of work to do, but there is an opportunity for this to be the university that everyone in the community expects it to be," he added.
When asked exactly who's to blame for the fiasco, Haché said he couldn't answer, but did note that a lot of the school's problems were historical.
Since resuming in-person classes, the school says 92 per cent have already confirmed they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.