Updates

Updates re: lower field encampment Dismantlement complete

Update: July 10, 4:45 p.m.

The encampment has been dismantled.

Due to current weather conditions, the clean-up at the site will continue tomorrow, as will the excavation and replacement of contaminated soil on the site.

To help ensure the continued safety of our community, part of the downtown campus will remain closed tomorrow.

Closed buildings

The following buildings remain closed tomorrow:

Burnside Hall Dawson Hall Ferrier Frank Dawson Adams James Administration Leacock Macdonald Engineering Macdonald Harrington McCall MacBain Arts McConnell Engineering McLennan Library Morrice Hall Otto Maass Pulp & Paper Redpath Hall Redpath Library Redpath Museum Schulich Library

This means:

Students:

Those who would normally access these buildings must stay home. Classes typically held in these buildings will move online. We ask instructors to please notify their students immediately.

Faculty and staff:

Those who can perform their duties remotely must work from home. Those who cannot perform their duties remotely must stay home and will be paid as usual. If you absolutely must come to campus, contact your supervisor. Open buildings

All other downtown buildings, including daycares, will be open tomorrow.

Nonetheless, we ask staff who can perform their duties remotely to work from home tomorrow.

-- McGill University Emergency Operations Centre

Dismantlement Continuing as Planned

Update: July 10, 1:15 p.m.

The dismantlement of the encampment is proceeding as planned, and largely complete.

Due to the presence of human waste, a rat infestation, discarded syringes, a large amount of rotting food and garbage, and other potentially dangerous and unsanitary conditions within the site, it was necessary to use heavy machinery to remove parts of the camp for the safety of all involved.

For the same reasons, it will be necessary to excavate and replace a layer of contaminated soil on the site.

The downtown campus (including all McGill buildings, outdoor areas, rented properties, etc.) remains closed today and this evening.

Encampment Dismantlement Proceeding Peacefully

Update: July 10, 10:07 a.m.

Between 4:46 and 7:42 a.m., individuals in the encampment were advised three times that they would be escorted off campus if they did not leave of their own accord. Of the approximately 35 people at the site, almost all have chosen to leave. Individuals were given the opportunity to remove their personal belongings as they departed.

The dismantlement process is currently proceeding peacefully. A careful search of the site is underway, to ensure that no other individuals or dangerous materials remain. Steel fencing encircling the site will now be removed. Montreal police are present to ensure the safety of all.

The Downtown Campus remains closed for the day.

Downtown Campus Closed: Please Avoid the Area

Update: July 10, 6:15 a.m.

As members of the McGill community are aware, the University has been subject to ongoing and escalating acts of violence and vandalism associated with the encampment, up to and including criminal acts on campus last weekend.

The encampment is the site of profound health and safety risks that continue to grow in scope and severity. To protect the security of the McGill community and the integrity of our property, the encampment on the lower field of the downtown campus is being dismantled. Security personnel and Montreal police (SPVM) are on site.

As a result, McGill’s downtown campus is closed today, July 10, 2024. Everyone should stay away from the downtown campus. All events, summer programs and activities are cancelled for today.

We regret the considerable inconvenience that this necessary step will cause for many members of our community.

Please read the following information carefully:

Students should not come to the downtown campus. Classes typically held on the downtown campus will move online for today. We ask instructors to please notify their students immediately. Libraries are closed. Faculty and staff who work on the downtown campus should stay home Staff who can perform their duties remotely should work from home. Staff who cannot perform their duties remotely should stay home and will be paid as usual. We will be in contact with supervisors whose staff may need to be on campus for essential services. If you do not hear from your supervisor, please do not come to campus. Daycares on campus are closed. The campus is closed to the public.