SAR-Canada
The SAR Canada Section, comprising over 30 university members, exists to promote the values, aims and activities of Scholars at Risk in Canada.
The SAR Canada Section was formally launched on June 22, 2012 at the University of Toronto’s Massey College by The Honourable Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, then President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Winnipeg. The launch of the Canadian Section represented the culmination of several years of partnership between Canadian higher education institutions and the Scholars at Risk Network.
In 2016, Canada was proud co-host of the 2016 Global Congress in Montreal.
The SAR Canada Section undertakes constant outreach, partnerships and joint activities, information about which you will find on this page.
The current National Steering Committee is comprised of the following members:
- Charles Reeve, OCAD University
- Andrea Russell, University of Toronto
- Andrew Johnston, Carleton University (Chair)
- Allison Stephen, University of Manitoba
- Viviana Fernandez, University of Ottawa
News / Nouvelles
Viviana Fernandez at the SAR International Advisory Committee in London
Associate Director Viviana Fernandez attended the Scholars at Risk (SAR) International Advisory Committee meeting that took place at King's College London (U.K.), on 6-7 May, 2026.
Read MoreShadow report to the UN Human Rights Committee
In February, the Human Rights Research and Education Centre (HRREC) and the International Justice & Human Rights Clinic at the University of British Columbia, submitted a brief to the UN Human Rights Committee in advance of Canada’s seventh periodic review under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) entitled "Academic Freedom in Canadian Higher Education".
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Call for papers for the CAFA Conference 2026
June 3, 2026
The Coalition for Academic Freedom in the Americas (CAFA) invites submissions for its fifth conference to be held in October 2026 at the University of Ottawa.
Read MoreUniversity of Ottawa Highlights a Decade of Commitment to Scholars at Risk
February 27, 2026
As attacks on academic freedom rise globally, the University of Ottawa’s Scholars at Risk (SAR) Program continues to provide life saving academic placements and long-term support to threatened scholars. A newly published feature highlights uOttawa’s decade of leadership, its partnerships across Canada and the Americas, and the profound impact hosting scholars has on research and teaching.
Read MoreEvents / Événements
UN & global standards on academic freedom
February 2, 2026 12:00 pm
Online
The UN and other international bodies recognize academic freedom as an independent and interdependent human right that is essential to democratic societies, scientific progress, and the public good. Although it is protected under existing human rights law, threats to this freedom are widespread and increasing globally.
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Inter-American principles on academic freedom and university autonomy
January 26, 2026 12:00 pm
Online
The Human Rights Research and Education Centre (HRREC), the Scholars at Risk (SAR) uOttawa Program and the SAR Canada Section present two webinars on the theme: International tools to advance academic freedom. These activities are organized to celebrate the Scholars at Risk (SAR) Network’s 25th anniversary and mark a quarter century of building a global movement. The University of Ottawa joined the SAR Network in 2014 and entrusted the HRREC to lead this program within our university.
Read MoreGuide to develop protocols for the prevention of GBV in higher education institutions
April 9, 2025 10:00 am
The University of Ottawa Human Rights Research and Education Centre (HRREC) is pleased to support the Coalition for Academic Freedom in the Americas (CAFA) to present this webinar.
Read MoreRegional Integration & Academic Freedom in Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean
April 3, 2025 4:00 pm
The University of Ottawa Human Rights Research and Education Centre (HRREC) is pleased to support the Coalition for Academic Freedom in the Americas (CAFA) and its partners, Núcleo de Estudios e Investigación en Educación Superior de Mercosur (NEIES), and the UNESCO Chair of the Catholic University of Brasilia, to present this webinar.
Read MoreMembers / Membres
Contact
SAR Sections are groups of higher education institutions and associations, that are members of the SAR network, nationally or regionally focused and organized specifically to coordinate participation in SAR activities. Unless otherwise indicated, the views represented by a SAR section, its members, or its affiliates reflect those of the originating author or section, and do not necessarily represent the views of SAR, other SAR sections, individual members, affiliates, board, staff, or sponsors. The use of the SAR name, logo, or other identifying material is for the sole purpose of identifying the relationship of the section, its members, or its affiliates with SAR, subject to approval of such use by the SAR board, as provided in the SAR bylaws.