On Wednesday, Elon Musk took to X to question a University of British Columbia (UBC) job posting over its diversity and inclusion hiring practices.
“Is this legal in Canada?” the billionaire owner of Tesla and X said in response to another post mocking the research chair posting from the UBC School of Dentistry for its exclusion of “white heterosexual males.”
The post states explicitly that “in accordance with UBC’s CRC Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Action Plan and pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights Code, the selection will be restricted to members of the following federally designated groups, people with disabilities, Indigenous people, racialized people, women, and people from minoritized gender identity groups.”
Is this legal in Canada?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 3, 2024
One Germany-based doctor added their thoughts in the comments, stating that diverse researchers are needed because oral cancers impact populations differently.
“Research led by diverse scientists is more likely to address these disparities, investigate the root causes, and propose targeted interventions,” wrote Simon Hundeshagen.
Indeed. Oral cancer affects diverse populations differently. For instance, certain racial and ethnic groups may have higher incidence rates and worse outcomes. Research led by diverse scientists is more likely to address these disparities, investigate the root causes, and propose…
— Dr. Simon Hundeshagen (@shundeshagen) June 3, 2024
The response to Musk’s question was mixed. While most appeared to agree with him, some called him out.
“Discrimination against straight white men is encouraged in Canada,” Bret Sears, whose bio reads “Political Correctness Ruins Everything,” quipped.
Discrimination against straight white men is encouraged in Canada.
— Bret 🍁 (@Bret_Sears) June 3, 2024
“Why am I not surprised that it is a white heterosexual male billionaire that’s questioning the legality of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion-based hiring practices in Canada??” asked one X user.
Why am I not surprised that it is a white heterosexual male billionaire that’s questioning the legality of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion based hiring practices in Canada??@elonmusk Read this article, it’ll have your answer. https://t.co/YjJIuB8tBX https://t.co/yMsHEVkgYh
— Hanbe (@HanbeOnTwitch) June 6, 2024
Another made a jab at Musk’s South African background:
“Yes, in Canada, it is legal to protect minority and female rights for equal pay and opportunity. It’s not South Africa apartheid.”
Yes, in Canada it is Legal to protect minority & female rights for equal pay & opportunity.
It’s not South Africa Apartheid.
Federal law doesn’t protect old boys club.
Although @PierrePoilievre @ABDanielleSmith still push supremacy, plus support war criminals Putin & Netanyahu. https://t.co/cLoY2ZW4Rg— sharon r (@SharonR_MECFS) June 4, 2024
Matthew Evenden, Associate Vice-President of Research and Innovation at UBC, further explained the hiring details of the post to Daily Hive.
“For faculty hiring through the federal Canada Research Chair (CRC) program, UBC follows the requirements set by the CRC program, which identifies population-based targets for federally designated groups,” stated Evenden.
He noted that Section 42 of the Human Rights Code permits “social programs” for hiring that target historically underrepresented groups.
“UBC has received approval from BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner to use the special program provisions in order to achieve the goals required by the CRC program,” he said.