Communications

Highlights from the May 21, 2026 Board of Governors meeting

deidre.mccabe@ɬ�﷬.Ca — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 12:30:30 +0000

Highlights from the May 21, 2026 Board of Governors meeting deidre.mccabe@… Wed, 06/10/2026 - 08:30

Dear members of the ɬ�﷬ Community,

It is our pleasure to provide you with an update on the recent activities of ɬ�﷬’s Board of Governors. You can learn more about the Board’s mandate and membership on its website.

The Board of Governors held the fifth regular meeting on May 21, 2026. The full minutes of the meeting’s open session will be available following approval at the Board’s next meeting on October 1, 2026. In the meantime, we would like to share with you the meeting’s important discussions, decisions, and developments.

Thank you for your interest in the work of the Board of Governors. If you have any questions, ideas or comments, please write mcgill.president [at] mcgill.ca (mcgill[dot]president[at]mcgill[dot]ca).

Sincerely,
Deep Saini, President and Vice-Chancellor
Maryse Bertrand, Chair, ɬ�﷬ Board of Governors

Key Updates

The Board of Governors, on the recommendation of the Nominating, Governance and Ethics (NGE) Committee, approved the appointment of Ms. Maryse Bertrand to the rank of Chair Emerita and Governor Emerita, commencing July 1, 2026. In her role as Chair of the Board of Governors, Ms. Bertrand made significant contributions during a period characterized by uncertainty and institutional change. Her steady leadership proved instrumental in guiding the Board through complex and evolving circumstances, while fostering a renewed sense of strategic focus that will shape ɬ�﷬ for years to come.

Also on the recommendation of the NGE Committee, the Board approved the appointment of Ms. Debbie Fischer as a member-at-large of the Board of Governors of ɬ�﷬ for a four-year term, commencing July 1, 2026. A seasoned executive with over 25 years of leadership in consulting, health care, and government, Ms. Fischer also brings extensive governance experience as a board and committee chair across various sectors, making her an ideal candidate for the role.

The Board of Governors approved the recommendations contained in the Report of the Working Group on Board of Governors-Senate Cohesion. The recommendations focus on enhancing member onboarding, strengthening bidirectional representation, improving communication channels, and increasing collaboration opportunities, among other aspects. A new iteration of the Working Group will be established in the 2026–2027 academic year to support implementation and track progress.

From the Audit and Risk Committee, the Board received the Annual Report on the University’s Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), which provides an overview of the annual ERM activities and an update on the 2026 Institutional Risk Register.

Also on the on the recommendation of the Audit and Risk Committee, the Board approved the following:

The submission of the FY2026 Declaration of Compliance to the Quebec Treasury Board, attesting that the University has met its reporting obligations relating to public procurement contracts, as governed by the Act respecting contracting by public bodies and its regulations.
The amended Emergency Management Policy, which renames the Emergency Operations Centre Policy Group to the Executive Emergency Group to better reflect its operational and executive mandate, while enhancing clarity and transparency.

On the recommendation of Senate, the Board of Governors approved appointments to the Panel for the Investigation of Research Misconduct, the Committee on Staff Grievances and Disciplinary Procedures, and the University Appeals Committee.

Also from Senate, the Board was informed of the revisions to the Constitution of the Faculty of Education, effective June 1, 2026; the revisions seek to support the evolving mission, values, and structure of the Faculty, while further aligning with the University’s governance practices.

The Board also received a presentation on the Faculty of Education by Dean Vivek Venkatesh, which provided an overview of the Faculty’s recent activities, initiatives and developments.

Finally, the Board of Governors, on the recommendation of the NGE Committee, approved amendments to Article 1.4.2 of the University Statutes to streamline the appointment process for new members-at-large of the Board, coinciding with the broader goals of the Board Efficiency and Effectiveness Project. In accordance with the Statutes, the amendment has been communicated to the Governor General of Canada and is subject to disallowance within a 60-day period.

President’s Remarks

President Deep Saini opened his remarks by acknowledging the contributions of Ms. Maryse Bertrand as Chair of ɬ�﷬’s Board of Governors and extending his gratitude for her exceptional service as she concludes her term.

He then proceeded to provide an update on key university developments, framed around ɬ�﷬'s strategic institutional priorities.

Transform

The President updated the Board on the construction progress at the ɬ�﷬ Sustainability Park site, noting that 31 of 171 planned geothermal wells are complete. He also shared that Professors Elena Bennett, Blane Harvey, and Robert Nason have been appointed Associate Academic Directors to help advance the academic vision for the Park.

Turning to Horizon ɬ�﷬, the President touched on ɬ�﷬'s ongoing efforts to advance academic transformation and long-term institutional sustainability. He noted that over the summer and into the fall, exploratory consultations will begin across several key areas — including strategic enrolment management, academic staffing, program delivery, and the University's budget model — with the aim of strengthening ɬ�﷬'s academic mission.

He also mentioned that the advisory committee for the search for ɬ�﷬'s inaugural Vice-President (People and Culture) has been established, and has launched broad consultations across the community, engaging faculty, staff, HR professionals, senior leadership, and students.

Engage Locally

The President noted that, on May 5, the Prime Minister announced the nomination of the Honourable Louise Arbour as Governor General of Canada. He highlighted her distinguished career as an internationally respected jurist and former Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. Upon her swearing-in on June 8, she will become ɬ�﷬'s official Visitor under the University's Royal Charter of 1852, continuing a longstanding tradition.

He also reported that ɬ�﷬ participated in two important federal consultation processes in May: the federal pre-budget consultations, where universities emphasized the need for sustained support for research, talent, infrastructure, and innovation; and consultations on the draft 2026–2029 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy.

The President further noted that ɬ�﷬ continues to monitor several active files, including the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs recruitment — for which the first intake has concluded with results expected soon and the second intake is now underway with applications due at end of June.

He also mentioned that discussions related to the initiative on the valorisation of French at ɬ�﷬ are ongoing and expressed a commitment to keeping the Board apprised.

Finally, the President highlighted the official inauguration of the Anse-à-l'Orme REM station in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, which will enhance connectivity between the ɬ�﷬’s Macdonald and Downtown Montreal campuses. The University will monitor the station’s impact on intercampus travel patterns and the shuttle will remain in service while transportation needs are further assessed in light of this development.

Unite

The President noted that Spring Convocation begins on May 26, with 13 ceremonies at the Tomlinson Fieldhouse and two at the Macdonald Campus, and expressed his anticipation for celebrating this milestone with graduating students and their families.

He highlighted that ɬ�﷬ will confer honorary degrees on 10 distinguished individuals this year, including Principal Emerita Suzanne Fortier, who will receive a Doctor of Science, honoris causa on May 29.

He also acknowledged student leaders who are ending their term on the Board, including Dymetri Taylor and Sheheryar Ahmed, who will be graduating alongside members of their executive team. The President expressed gratitude for student leadership and contributions to the ɬ�﷬ community.

Finally, the President highlighted recent student achievements, noting that seven ɬ�﷬ Law graduates earned clerkships at the Supreme Court of Canada, representing over a quarter of the 27 clerkships awarded nationally each year.

The Board of Governors received the following reports:

Communications

Board of Governors Highlights

Highlights from the April 23, 2026 Board of Governors meeting

deidre.mccabe@ɬ�﷬.Ca — Mon, 11 May 2026 12:12:56 +0000

Highlights from the April 23, 2026 Board of Governors meeting deidre.mccabe@… Mon, 05/11/2026 - 08:12

Dear members of the ɬ�﷬ Community,

It is our pleasure to provide you with an update on the recent activities of ɬ�﷬’s Board of Governors. You can learn more about the Board’s mandate and membership on its website.

The Board of Governors held the fourth regular meeting on April 23, 2026. The full minutes of the meeting’s open session will be available following approval at the Board’s next meeting on May 21, 2026. In the meantime, we would like to share with you the meeting’s important discussions, decisions, and developments.

Thank you for your interest in the work of the Board of Governors. If you have any questions, ideas or comments, please write mcgill.president [at] mcgill.ca (mcgill[dot]president[at]mcgill[dot]ca).

Sincerely,

Deep Saini, President and Vice-Chancellor
Maryse Bertrand, Chair, ɬ�﷬ Board of Governors

Key Updates

The Board of Governors, on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee, approved the reappointment of Professor H. Deep Saini as President and Vice-Chancellor of ɬ�﷬ for a further five-year term commencing July 1, 2028. Read the full announcement.

The Board of Governors, on the recommendation of the President and Vice-Chancellor, approved the appointment of Professor Alanna Watt as Dean of the Faculty of Science for a five-year renewable term, effective May 1, 2026. Read the full announcement.

As recommended by the Finance and Infrastructure Committee, the Board approved the proposed FY2027 Budget, which features a balanced budget and a $10-million contingency. Looking ahead, expenses are projected to outpace revenue growth, with operating deficits forecasted at $33 million in FY2028 and $55 million in FY2029, underscoring the need for strategic, recurring revenue and expense measures.

The Board of Governors, on the recommendation of Senate, endorsed ɬ�﷬'s proposed Strategic Plan on Undergraduate Student Enrolment and Engagement. Designed to adapt to a changing global landscape, the Plan brings together recruitment, academic program planning, student experience, and community engagement into a cohesive, student-centered approach.

Per the recommendation of Senate, the Board also approved the following:

the creation of the proposed Centre of Genomics and Policy. The Centre focuses on the legal, ethical, and policy dimensions of genomics and emerging health innovations, underpinned by a human rights-focused framework;
the appointment of Professor Tracy Webb (Faculty of Science) to the Committee on Staff Grievances and Disciplinary Procedures, for a term effective immediately, and ending on August 31, 2028.

On the recommendation of the Finance and Infrastructure Committee, the Board approved the Identification Policy for Access to Properties Owned, Occupied, or Used by the University. The Policy establishes a clear framework governing when and how identification may be requested in support of university operations, campus security, and compliance with existing policies. It was developed through extensive consultation, including two presentations to Senate and two dedicated consultation sessions with students and faculty members of Senate to ensure feedback was meaningfully incorporated.

Also on the recommendation of the Finance and Infrastructure Committee, the Board approved proceeding with Phase 1 of renovations to the Raymond Building roof, beginning with the west section. Work on Phase 1 is expected to begin in June 2026 and to be completed by next spring.

As recommended by the Committee on Sustainability and Social Responsibility (CSSR), the Board of Governors approved the contents and submission of ɬ�﷬’s Annual Report under the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act, for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2026.

The Board received as information the 2025 Investment Committee Report on Socially Responsible Investing.

The Board received a presentation on the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences from Dean Salwa Karboune, which provided an overview of the Faculty’s teaching, research, and partnerships.

Finally, the Board was informed of the topic of the next annual Joint Board-Senate meeting, scheduled for November 5, 2026. The focus of the meeting will be: “Effective Governance through Collaboration in a Time of Institutional Change.”

President’s Remarks

President Deep Saini provided an update on key university developments, framed around ɬ�﷬'s four institutional priorities.

Transform

The President shared an update on construction progress at the ɬ�﷬ Sustainability Park, noting that excavation, blasting, and initial geothermal energy system work are all underway. He noted that restoration of historic buildings is advancing through an active tendering phase, with academic planning continuing in parallel.

On Horizon ɬ�﷬, the President provided an overview of the UniForum Effectiveness Survey, with benchmarked results expected by late summer or early fall. Furthermore, he mentioned advancements pertaining to academic and administrative transformation, including a budget model review and strengthened strategic enrolment management.

He also mentioned the launch of the Initiative for Transforming Healthcare (ITH), powered by a $5.75 million gift from Power Corporation of Canada, Canada Life, and IGM Financial. Led by Professor Samer Faraj, the initiative brings together ɬ�﷬’s Faculties of Arts, Medicine and Health Sciences, and Management to address key pressures in Canada’s healthcare system.

The President highlighted the third edition of Conversations – sponsored by Charles Bronfman, which focused on artificial intelligence as a disruptive force in society. The discussion featured Prof. Yoshua Bengio, Cory Doctorow, and Astra Taylor, and was moderated by Nahlah Ayed.

Finally, the President updated the Board on the inauguration of a $24-million teaching greenhouse and the Eastern Canadian Plant Phenotyping Platform at Macdonald Campus, which will advance teaching and research on climate‑resilient agriculture.

He also mentioned the establishment of the Task Force for Macdonald Campus. The Task Force will consider academic programming, research, infrastructure, finances, and land use, with an eye toward thoughtful growth, diversification, and interdisciplinary opportunity. Updates regarding the Task Force's work will be shared periodically, with recommendations expected by year end.

Expand Globally

The President updated the Board on several recent and upcoming international engagements. He noted his participation in a visit with a delegation of Swedish university leaders in March, alongside Québec university partners and government representatives.

He also reported on the April Universities Canada Board retreat in Vancouver, where discussions focused on federal engagement on talent and research, sector-wide financial pressures — particularly around international student policy — and the importance of a unified national voice.

Finally, the President signaled his attendance at the American Association of Universities (AAU) meeting later in April. He noted that, given current U.S. research funding cuts, discussions are expected to have significant implications for Canadian universities as well.

Engage Locally

The President gave an overview of recent political and policy developments at both the federal and provincial levels.

Following April’s by-elections, the President noted that the Liberal Party of Canada secured a 174-seat majority, which is expected to support more predictable legislative planning.

He also highlighted the Government of Québec’s 2026–2027 budget, tabled on March 18, emphasizing that, despite a challenging fiscal context, university funding will increase by 5.5%, which includes a $150 million investment over five years in engineering and computer science.

The President also addressed recent legislative changes, noting that the National Assembly adopted Bill 9, An Act respecting the reinforcement of laicity in Québec, which reinforces and expands Québec’s framework on state secularism. He indicated that ɬ�﷬ is continuing to assess the full implications of this new legislation.

Finally, the President spoke to recent changes in provincial leadership. On April 14, Ms. Christine Fréchette was sworn in as Québec’s 33rd premier and has since announced her cabinet. He noted key new appointments, including Mr. Ian Lafrenière as Deputy Premier, ɬ�﷬ alumnus Mr. Eric Girard as Minister of Finance and Minister Responsible for Infrastructure, and François Bonnardel as Minister of Immigration, Francization and Integration of Québec. He also underscored the continuity of Ms. Martine Biron as Minister of Higher Education.

Unite

Under the Unite pillar, the President shared that he attended the inauguration of ɬ�﷬'s Onkwehonwe Advisory Council, an Indigenous-led body established to strengthen Indigenous representation and advance the University's commitments to Truth and Reconciliation. He noted that the Council responds directly to ɬ�﷬'s 52 Calls to Action and will provide ongoing guidance to leadership on building more accountable relationships with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.

The Board of Governors received the following reports:

Communications

Board of Governors Highlights

The questions we ask together

deidre.mccabe@ɬ�﷬.Ca — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 14:01:41 +0000

The questions we ask together deidre.mccabe@… Thu, 04/23/2026 - 10:01

Dear members of the ɬ�﷬ community,

Earlier this spring, I had the pleasure of attending a symposium hosted by the ɬ�﷬ Institute for the Study of Canada, which explored artificial intelligence as the defining disruptor of our time.

The event brought together distinguished speakers, including Professor Yoshua Bengio (BEng’86, MSc’88, PhD’91), to confront the urgent question: "Who are we as humans when we build machines that are as smart as, or smarter than, we are?"

Widely regarded as “a godfather of AI,” Professor Bengio's response was simple yet profound: What matters is that we can ask the question in the first place — and that we can pursue the answer together.

In an era of accelerated automation, his words evoke something enduring about humanity: our capacity to wonder, to question, and to engage critically with one another. They remind us, as well, of our shared purpose as an academic community.

ɬ�﷬ has long been a place where big questions inspire, where the pursuit of knowledge is rarely an isolated act but a deeply human, collective endeavor — one that unites people across perspectives, experiences, and geographies. This is our mission, and it matters more than ever.

Throughout this year, you have advanced this mission with curiosity and creativity, with integrity and care for each other. Through your sheer humanity, you have strengthened ɬ�﷬ and its impact in Montréal, across Canada, and around the world.

For all your contributions, whether as students, professors, or staff, I am deeply grateful.

As the summer approaches, I hope you will take some time to rest, recharge, and enjoy the company of the people around you. After all, it is in those moments — of conversation, of shared experience, and of unhurried time together — that some of the most interesting questions tend to find us, and we are reminded anew of why we pursue this work together.

With warmest regards,

Deep Saini
President and Vice-Chancellor
ɬ�﷬

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