A Canadian professor of gender studies and Indigenous literature has drawn attention on social media after responding with profanity to a conservative politician’s plan to end diversity-based hiring practices.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Tuesday that she had introduced legislation “that would ensure hiring and promotion decisions in the public sector are based on merit, not DEI policies.”
“Mandatory workplace training will be relevant to the roles and responsibilities of the employee, instead of mandatory DEI sessions,” Smith wrote on X.
Smith, leader of Canada’s United Conservative Party, added: “Fairness means everyone competes on the same terms.”
Dr. June Scudeler, a professor at Simon Fraser University, reposted Smith’s comments before responding with an expletive.
“F*** off,” Scudeler wrote Tuesday evening.
Scudeler is an associate professor in Simon Fraser’s department of Indigenous studies. According to her university profile, she is also cross-appointed with the department of gender, sexuality and women’s studies.
Her post criticizing Smith had been viewed more than 123,000 times by Thursday.
Simon Fraser University professor Dr. June Scudeler told Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to “f*** off” on Tuesday
Smith, leader of Canada’s United Conservative Party, was promoting proposed legislation to end DEI practices in hiring and promotion decisions
Scudeler has not posted on her X account since directing the remark at Smith, who did not respond publicly.
The professor has also not discussed the exchange on other social media platforms.
Scudeler’s research focuses on queer Indigenous studies, literature, film and art.
She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Simon Fraser University.
Scudeler later completed a PhD in English at the University of British Columbia.
The bill targeting diversity, equity and inclusion practices in public-sector hiring and promotion was introduced Tuesday, the same day Smith posted about it on X.
The proposed legislation would apply to municipalities, public agencies, Crown corporations, post-secondary institutions and school boards. It has not yet become law.
Scudeler is an associate professor in Simon Fraser’s department of Indigenous studies and is cross-appointed with the department of gender, sexuality and women’s studies (Photo of the university)
Alberta Justice Minister Mickey Amery said the proposal represented “the most equitable and fair way of engaging in hiring practices here in the province.”
Other politicians and public figures in Alberta, however, have criticized the governing party’s plan.
Kathleen Ganley, a member of the opposition New Democratic Party, called the bill “a solution in want of a problem,” according to Global News.
Ganley said she had not heard of concerns involving DEI-based hiring practices.
Sandra Azocar, president of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, described the proposal as “pure dog whistle politics.”
Azocar also accused Smith of attempting to appease the “extreme factions” within her conservative party.
A November 2024 Pollara survey found that Albertans were the Canadians most likely to report experiencing discrimination in hiring and the workplace.
The University of Alberta approved a hiring policy eliminating DEI considerations in March.
Under the previous policy, if two candidates were equally qualified, the university favored the applicant from a historically underrepresented group, according to CBC.
“We are a big and complex community, and it’s really important that we commit to being a community that is welcoming for all,” University of Alberta President Bill Flanagan said.
The Daily Mail has contacted Scudeler and Simon Fraser University for comment.
