Wednesday, December 24, 2025
ADVT 
National

Queen's prof with anti-vaccination slides won't teach same course:university

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 19 Feb, 2015 10:48 AM

    TORONTO — Queen's University says a health studies professor whose lecture slides contained anti-vaccination material won't be allowed to teach the same class again in the future.

    University Provost Alan Harrison says a new instructor will be assigned to the Health 102 course next time it's offered.

    He also says university officials will work with Melody Torcolacci to ensure her future classes contain intellectually "rigorous" material and objective, evidence-based science.

    Harrison was asked to review Torcolacci's course after powerpoint slides suggesting an anti-vaccine focus were posted to social media.

    Harrison said he was "not able to state unequivocally that the instructor's sole intention was to present the case against vaccination."

    Harrison said, however, that he could understand how those not at the lectures might conclude solely from seeing the slides that Torcolacci included in Health 102 that she was making a case against vaccination.

    The university in Kingston, Ont., agreed to let Torcolacci take a leave of absence for the rest of the term.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Gordie Howe's stem cell therapy raises concerns among regenerative medicine experts

    Gordie Howe's stem cell therapy raises concerns among regenerative medicine experts
    TORONTO — Gordie Howe's son says the hockey legend's stroke symptoms have improved since his treatment with stem cells at a Mexican clinic in early December and he wants him to repeat the procedure.

    Gordie Howe's stem cell therapy raises concerns among regenerative medicine experts

    More than $3.4 bln in new revenue belies Tory claim of lowering taxes: Liberals

    More than $3.4 bln in new revenue belies Tory claim of lowering taxes: Liberals
    OTTAWA — As Canadians begin to look forward to a series of new federal tax measures kicking in soon, newly-released figures show changes to taxes and tariffs are also helping bolster the government's bottom line.

    More than $3.4 bln in new revenue belies Tory claim of lowering taxes: Liberals

    Wife of Saudi blogger asks for Harper's help, says husband can't take flogging

    Wife of Saudi blogger asks for Harper's help, says husband can't take flogging
    OTTAWA — The wife of the imprisoned Saudi blogger Raif Badawi says her husband can't withstand another flogging.

    Wife of Saudi blogger asks for Harper's help, says husband can't take flogging

    Lawson says special forces not in combat, but assisting Iraqi combat

    Lawson says special forces not in combat, but assisting Iraqi combat
    OTTAWA — The country's top military commander says he didn't anticipate special forces troops would be guiding air strikes for Kurdish fighters when he gave public assurances about the mission last fall.

    Lawson says special forces not in combat, but assisting Iraqi combat

    University of Ottawa to follow task force report on sexual harassment

    University of Ottawa to follow task force report on sexual harassment
    OTTAWA — The president of the University of Ottawa says the school will implement a comprehensive plan to combat sexual harassment and violence in the wake of a sex assault scandal that swamped its men's hockey team last year.

    University of Ottawa to follow task force report on sexual harassment

    Seven seconds cost Quebecer $13.5 million as Supreme Court rejects lottery case

    Seven seconds cost Quebecer $13.5 million as Supreme Court rejects lottery case
    OTTAWA — Timing, it is said, is everything.

    Seven seconds cost Quebecer $13.5 million as Supreme Court rejects lottery case