By Canadian Press

Scheduled speech by Ghomeshi’s lawyer to four universities sparks debate

Nov 22, 2016 | 1:15 PM

ANTIGONISH, N.S. — The choice of Jian Ghomeshi’s lawyer as a speaker at four Canadian universities is sparking debate on one Nova Scotia campus.

Marie Henein, a prominent Toronto defence lawyer, is scheduled to speak at Bishops University in February, with the presentation live-streamed to St. Francis Xavier, Acadia and Mount Allison universities.

Jasmine Cormier, a student at St. F.X. in Antigonish, has written an article in that university’s weekly newspaper, saying the selection of Henein serves to silence victims and perpetuate rape culture.

Lucille Harper, executive director of the Antigonish Women’s Resource Centre, says the choice of Henein minimizes the issue of sexualized violence and ignores the pervasiveness of it across campuses.

Cormier says she’s concerned by the message sent by Henein’s aggressive treatment of the women who had accused the former CBC host of sexual misconduct, and she wants Henein’s speech cancelled.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

Many of the people commenting online about Cormier’s article say Henein’s speech will give another view on the important issue.

Henein recently penned her own opinion piece, for The Globe and Mail, about the lessons of Hillary Clinton. She wrote the former U.S. secretary of state’s recent loss must inspire women and girls to engage “on every front … until you cannot be overlooked.”

A St. F.X. spokesperson deferred comment to Bishops, which did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Scheduled speech by Ghomeshi’s lawyer to four universities sparks debate

What's Happening