Statement in response to the stabbing incident at UWaterloo

June 29, 2023

As we learn more about the shocking stabbing incident that occurred on Wednesday, June 28 at the University of Waterloo, the university community is wishing a speedy recovery to the injured professor and two students, who are reportedly, and thankfully, in non-life-threatening condition. 

This incident is particularly troubling given that the police have reported it involves hate motivation towards gender identity and expression. It cannot be lost on us that the wave of homophobic and transphobic rhetoric and policy decisions around the globe, south of the border and in Canada can inspire such violent manifestations of hate towards 2SLGBTQIA+ groups and their allies who are advocating for affirming, inclusive, equitable and dignified campus environments and societies.

June is Pride month – a time to celebrate sexual and gender diversity, and also to reinforce the need to continue to fight to retain and expand the human rights of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and to double down on the commitment to ensure the physical and psychological safety of our communities and freedom to live, learn and work in environments free from harassment, discrimination and violence.

As a university, our value for inclusion means that we stand beside and support 2SLGBTQIA+ students, faculty and staff and that we stand for institutional and social policies safeguard their human rights and wellbeing.

Aligned with these commitments:

  • We share a reminder that students, faculty and staff have a right to be addressed in the name and pronouns that they have chosen;
  • We encourage students, faculty and staff experiencing harm or discrimination-related concerns linked to gender identity and gender to contact their managers and heads of units, and/or reach out for support to the human rights team (604-827-1773) at the Equity & Inclusion Office, UBC Human Resources, the Office of the Ombudsperson for Students (UBCV: 604-822-6149 | UBCO: 250-807-9818) and/or the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (UBCV: 604-822-1588 | UBCO: 250-807-9640).
  • We urge students, faculty and staff to cultivate their understanding around gender diversity and engage in efforts to build positive space at UBC.

For those needing support, I encourage you to review some of the following resources and services available to you at UBC.

Resource and supports

For those needing support, the following services are available:

  • For safety and security planning or to report an incident of hate, please contact 911 in case of emergency or contact UBC Campus Security at UBC Vancouver (604-822-2222) and UBC Okanagan (250-807-8111).
  • For confidential advising on experience of harassment and discrimination, please contact the human rights team (604-827-1773) at the UBC Equity & Inclusion Office.
  • Students can also access:
  • Employees can access counselling support through the Employee & Family Assistance Program (1-866-424-0770).
  • Download the UBC Safe App for UBC Vancouver and/or UBC Okanagan.

Should you have concerns reaching out to or have had negative experiences with any of the services listed here, please get in touch with us at the Equity & Inclusion Office. We will help facilitate a connection and ensure you are provided with appropriate and trauma-informed response.

Find community

UBC community members may also wish to explore the following spaces for peer connection, community and support:

UBC Vancouver

UBC Okanagan

For more information on spaces and resources for connection and support, visit our Connection + Support page for UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan.

Arig al Shaibah (she/her)
Associate Vice-President, Equity and Inclusion

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