University condemns Fleury’s anti-vax tweet

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This article was published 08/09/2021 (1474 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BRANDON University has issued a statement to condemn a 2015 honorary degree recipient, citing Theo Fleury’s recent actions of “launching personal and political attacks” and his “espousing of conspiracy theories” related to vaccines.

“(BU) is steadfast in our support of academic freedom, academic inquiry, and of robust public debate around issues of consequence. These freedoms, however, must be balanced against responsibilities like honesty, like integrity, and like good faith,” states a notice posted on the university’s website Tuesday.

“We are disappointed that honorary degree recipient Theo Fleury is, increasingly, not meeting that balance.”

The university presented the former NHL player from Russell with a special award in 2015 to recognize his contributions to combating child sexual abuse in junior hockey and efforts to promote healing and recovery as a survivor of sexual abuse in his youth.

While the university said Fleury continues to deserve praise and understanding for his past advocacy, it said his recent online behaviour “saddens” the community.

“With vaccine passports the pedophiles will know where your kids are at all times,” Fleury wrote in a tweet on the weekend that has since been removed.

The school has called on Fleury to recognize he is in a position of authority, which can put him in a place where he can cause harm to others, and encouraged him to seek greater understanding of the science behind the pandemic and essential public health role of vaccines.