Kin-Yip Chun - The Dr. Chun Case

The Dr. Chun Case

Chun's dismissal soon drew nationwide media attention to his plight. He was supported by many student groups and the Ontario NDP leader Howard Hampton. In June 1995, the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) sent two members of the Academic Freedom and Tenure (AF&T) Committee to the University of Toronto to investigate, and their report suggested a pattern of systematic discrimination. The AF&T also made several recommendations, including allowing Chun to return to the university with a salary and job security, and holding a fair competition for a tenured position in the faculty. The Ontario Human Rights Commission backed Chun's complaint, stating that racism was a factor in stopping him from obtaining a full-time position, describing the Physics Department as a "poisoned work environment," "cronyism," "the dynamic of an 'old boys' network" operating in all four job competitions, and "a series of reprisals culminating in his dismissal."

The University however refused to acknowledge the AF&T report and its recommendations, and tried to have the OHRC dismiss the case. The case dragged on for years. Back in 1994, the University's own appointed investigator for the case, Dr. Cecil Yip, stated that Dr. Chun "...acted and has been treated like a professoriate in spite of the fact he has derived his salary support entirely from his own external research contracts. And he has served the Department and the University well in this capacity." Further, "...it is certainly justified for Dr. Chun to feel...he is being penalized for good performance," and concluded "In my judgment Dr. Chun has been exploited by the Department." Overall, the Yip Report concluded that Chun had been exploited, though it found no evidence that he had been a victim of racism.

In 1998, Chun launched a $1-million lawsuit against the University for unjust dismissal.