Canadian researcher quits Canada-UK foundation, accusing High Commission of 'bullying' (Updated)

A Canadian researcher says he quit the board of the Foundation for Canadian Studies in the United Kingdom because he says the Canadian High Commission has been "bullying" board members. Steve Hewitt, a senior lecturer at the University of Birmingham, resigned from the foundation, which is based in the UK, last week after he heard how he says the Canadian High Commission was pushing out long-standing board member and academic Rachel Killick.

"She was given an ultimatum she was told came straight from [High Commissioner] Gordon Campbell, that she had two choices: either to resign or a motion would be put before the board and she would be removed," says Hewitt. "I just couldn't stomach it."

The foundation promotes links between Canada and the UK and funds Canadian studies research and exchanges at a number of British universities.

Last week, four board members resigned, including Canadian historian Margaret MacMillan, Hewitt and think-tank adviser Diana Carney, wife of former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.

The resignations came after a letter from Canadian High Commissioner Gordon Campbell informed the board that four new members would be appointed by the High Commission. Three of those appointees are High Commission staffers. On Friday, those appointees put forward a motion to remove Killick and passed it through their votes, says Hewitt, who did not attend the meeting.

"I could have attended the meeting, but I've never attended a public hanging before and I didn't want to start."
Hewitt says that, except for Carney, the resignations were a reaction to the High Commission's behaviour. But tension had been building recently between board members who want a more business-oriented approach and those in academia who are concerned about maintaining the foundation's support for Canadian studies research.

The foundation has struggled to keep its revenues up, says Hewitt, and recent government cuts and the loss of Canadian charitable status in December has added to the strain.

In Campbell's letter to board members, obtained by the Canadian Press, he suggested the charitable status decision could be reversed if, as Hewitt puts it, "we were willing to play ball." Campbell also states, "I understand from my colleagues in Ottawa that our renewal request would be entertained if the foundation were to expand its mission."

The foundation's website says they want to pursue research on issues "of strategic importance to both Canada and the UK, such as energy, transport, communications, the sustainable use of natural resources, multiculturalism and the welfare of indigenous peoples. In particular, the foundation wishes to link the UK research community with potential sponsors of research relevant to Canada."

On Tuesday, As It Happens received the following statement from Diana Khaddaj, a spokesperson at the Department of Foreign Affairs: 

-   The High Commission has a long history with the Foundation for Canadian Studies, having helped create it in 1974.

-   We were asked by members of the Board to intervene in an ongoing divergence of views between board members and to help bring stability to the board.

-   We are committed to working towards ensuring the Foundation's long term sustainability and are excited by the potential it has to fully realize its stated charitable interests to educate the UK public about Canada.