The University of Toronto has rejected a working group’s report and 57 recommendations on discrimination against Muslims, Arabs and Palestinians, while acknowledging that discrimination exists at the school and promising immediate steps to address it.

The report and the university’s response were released Nov. 12. According to reporting by CityNews and The Canadian Press, the nearly 300-page review found a “general pattern of over-policing and under-protecting” members of those communities.

Its findings drew on consultations with 85 people and small groups, along with 525 survey responses from students, staff, faculty and librarians across the university’s three campuses. The consultations took place between March 2025 and January 2026.

The working group described restrictions on speech and events, inconsistent complaint-handling processes and double standards in enforcing rules around protests and postering. It also heard repeated concerns about the university’s successful litigation to remove a pro-Palestinian encampment two years ago.

Participants reported bigoted assumptions about Muslims, Arabs and Palestinians. The report said the most prevalent pattern was a lack of understanding of their histories, cultures and experiences, including how discrimination and harassment affect them.

Among its recommendations, the group called for reviews of safety and risk measures, content-neutral enforcement of protest and postering rules, and stronger guidance on procedural fairness when handling complaints or cancelling scheduled events.

It also raised concerns about bias in partnerships with school boards and affiliated hospitals, and recommended that the university consider prohibiting investments that aid violations of fundamental international legal norms.

In its response, the university said the report departed significantly from previous equity reviews, including through lengthy commentary on events abroad. It said some recommendations conflict with collective agreements and academic freedom protections, extend beyond its jurisdiction or do not align with its position of “institutional restraint.”

The university said the report would validate many community members’ experiences, but that aspects would be offensive and upsetting to others, including some Jewish and Israeli students and colleagues.

Despite rejecting the report, the school pledged further work to ensure appropriate Muslim prayer spaces and multi-faith spaces on all three campuses. Its new office of human rights, equity and inclusion will also release an educational e-module on discrimination against Muslims, Arabs and Palestinians and hold an information session for governing council members.

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