Dear members of the McGill Community,
It is our pleasure to provide you with an update on the recent activities of McGill University’s Board of Governors. You can learn more about the Board’s mandate and membership on its website.
The Board of Governors held the third regular meeting on February 6, 2025. The full minutes of the meeting’s open session will be available following approval at the Board’s next meeting on April 24, 2025. 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.
Sincerely,
Deep Saini, President and Vice-Chancellor
Maryse Bertrand, Chair, McGill Board of Governors
Key Updates
The Board received an update from the President on the University’s financial situation, which projects operating deficits over the next three fiscal years: $45 million in 2025-26, and $16 million and $14 million in the following two fiscal years, respectively. To address the situation, a variety of corrective measures are being implemented by the University under the Horizon McGill program -- a university-wide initiative aimed at restoring McGill’s finances to protect its academic mission.
On the recommendation of the Nominating, Governance, and Ethics Committee, the Board approved the appointment of Mr. Fred Headon as member of the Board of Governors on the Advisory Panel on Campus Expression. The panel will serve as a sounding board and provide counsel as needed to McGill senior leadership on matters related to controversial speech and expression.
The Board of Governors received as information the report from the Committee on Sustainability and Social Responsibility (CSSR) on the special mandate to evaluate the question of divestment from direct investments in companies that derive a dominant portion of their direct revenues from the production of military weapons, regardless of the countries in which they operate. Following consultations with McGill community members and careful consideration, the CSSR did not recommend further action with respect to the mandate. Read the full report.
From the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors, the Board received as information the following:
- On the recommendation of the Vice-President (University Advancement), the revised Gift Acceptance Policy, which provides greater clarity on the practice of accepting gifts by the University.
- On the recommendation of the Finance and Infrastructure Committee, budget increases for three infrastructure projects across McGill’s campuses.
From the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee, the Board of Governors received as information: the fourth Annual Report on the Strategic EDI Plan, the fourth Annual Report on the Action Plan to Address Anti-Black Racism, and the second progress report from the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. View the three reports.
From the Audit and Risk Committee, the Board of Governors received as information the following updates:
- The approval of the External Audit Plan for the year ending April 30, 2025, as presented by Deloitte LLP.
- The Special Task Force’s response to the recommendations from the Internal Audit investigation into the events surrounding the asbestos-related closure of buildings on Macdonald Campus in Winter 2023. The update confirmed that all action items have been completed, ensuring full implementation of the audit recommendations to strengthen asbestos management and related processes across the University.
The Board of Governors received presentations from:
- Dr. Lesley Fellows, Vice-President (Health Affairs) and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) on Bill 15 and Santé Québec, as it relates to McGill’s FMHS.
- Professor Viviane Yargeau, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, on the Faculty’s recent activities, initiatives and developments. View the presentation.
- Dymetri Taylor, President of the Student Society of McGill University (SSMU), on the SSMU’s operating structure, finances, and activities, as well as the current issues affecting McGill students. View the presentation.
President’s Remarks
President Saini provided remarks pertaining to a range of recent developments from across McGill.
Government Relations
The President opened his remarks with an update on An Act mainly to improve the regulatory scheme governing international students (previously Bill 74), which regulates international student admissions, including in Quebec’s universities. A proposal to reduce the number of international students is expected to be submitted by the Minister of Higher Education in mid-February. The University continues to monitor the impacts of this new legislation closely.
The President also provided an update on Bill 83, which would require Quebec-trained doctors to work in the public healthcare system for five years, with potential fines for non-compliance. Consultations for the Bill will be held by the National Assembly’s Commission de la santé et des services sociaux in February. McGill University, along with Université Laval, Université de Montréal, and Université de Sherbrooke, will submit a joint written response to the Committee.
Finally, the President shared that Moody’s has reaffirmed McGill’s Aa2 rating with a negative outlook, reflecting the pressures arising from the tuition and immigration policy revisions. McGill’s academic reputation, particularly on an international level, continues to be noted as a key strength.
External Relations
From January 20 to 24, the President participated in the 55th edition of the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos, which was convened under the theme of Collaboration for the Intelligent Age. The President noted that Canada and Quebec had minimal representation, while the U.A.E., India, and Saudi Arabia had the strongest presence at the meeting. AI and its applications were widely discussed, while meetings with key McGill supporters further confirmed the University’s strong global brand.
In late-February, the President will travel to Asia to strengthen the University’s global engagement and alumni connections. On March 4, McGill will honor Professor Anna Pao Sohmen (MSW ’69) with a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, at a special ceremony in Ningbo City, China celebrating her remarkable life and career.
Community Relations
The President highlighted recent events marked by the McGill community, including International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia, and the launch of Black History Month.
Selected Kudos
Finally, the President concluded his remarks by offering his congratulations to a selection of individuals in the McGill community for their recent achievements.
- Twenty-five McGill community members were awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
- McGill made the Times Higher Education Top 50 list globally in six subjects: Psychology (21st), Medical and Health (29th), Law (33rd), Education Studies (38th), Life Sciences (40th), and Social Sciences (41st).
- Finally, the President congratulated Professor Robert Leckey on his appointment to the Superior Court of Quebec and thanked him for his leadership and years of service to the Faculty of Law and McGill.
The Board of Governors received the following reports: