TMU receives Justice Benotto report, appoints Task Force to address findings

The Hon. Bob Rae will bring experience as Task Force Chair to create a path forward for university community

August 14, 2026

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) has released the report from Justice Mary Lou Benotto, who was appointed in November 2025 to conduct an external review of two incidents that took place last year.

In response to the report, President Lachemi has announced the President’s Implementation Task Force on Campus Expression, Antisemitism and Community Safety (Implementation Task Force). Provost and Vice-President, Academic Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano will serve as executive sponsor of the Implementation Task Force, providing senior oversight on behalf of the President and Vice-Chancellor.

The Implementation Task Force will be led by the Honourable Bob Rae and will carefully consider and respond to every recommendation in Justice Benotto’s report, as well as provide an implementation blueprint to the university by March 2027.

“I accepted the role of Chair for this Implementation Task Force because issues like improving campus life, earning student trust and freedom of expression are important to address at Canadian post-secondary institutions,” said the Hon. Bob Rae. “These institutions depend on our collective ability to listen to different perspectives and translate meaningful conversations into action. And in a larger sense, how to work and live together as Canadians despite our differences is important to all of us.”

The Implementation Task Force will begin their work in the coming weeks. Regular updates will be provided to the university community as they become available.

The Members of the Implementation Task Force are:

The Hon. Bob Rae - Task Force Chair
Patrizia Albanese - Task Force Vice-Chair, Vice-Provost, Faculty Affairs and Professor, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, TMU

Idil Abdillahi - Interim Co-Director, School of Disability Studies and Associate Professor, School of Social Work, Faculty of Community Services, TMU
Lisa Barnoff - Interim Dean, Faculty of Community Services and Associate Professor, School of Social Work, Faculty of Community Services, TMU
David Checkland - Emeritus Professor, Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts, and Senator Emeritus, TMU
Corinne Hart - Professor, School of Nursing, Faculty of Community Services, TMU and TFA Executive
Raja Khouri - Co-author, The Wall Between: What Jews and Palestinians don't want to know about each other
Sameh Al Natour - Professor, Director of Information Technology Management and Board of Governors, TMU
James Turk - Director, Centre for Free Expression, TMU
Jeffrey Wilkinson - Co-author, The Wall Between: What Jews and Palestinians don't want to know about each other
Student representative(s) to be named later

“Many of the issues the report identifies are complex, but it is our responsibility to carefully review each of the recommendations. We know we have work to do and we accept this responsibility,” said Mohamed Lachemi, president and vice-chancellor, TMU. “I have the utmost faith in our community to tackle these difficult issues with professionalism, integrity and deep insight. That's what universities do best - address and understand difficult issues.”

More information about the Implementation Task Force can be found here.

Justice Benotto’s report can be found (PDF file) here.

About Toronto Metropolitan University
A world-class research institution and Canada’s leader in innovative, career-oriented education, TMU offers more than 60 undergraduate programs, over 65 graduate programs, and 80 continuing education certificate programs. The university boasts 10 faculties, including the Lincoln Alexander School of Law and the new TMU School of Medicine. It is also home to 11 startup incubators, known as Zones, that support innovation across sectors – from health and life sciences to creative industries and social impact. Established in 1948, TMU is home to nearly 48,000 students, including 2,900 Master’s and PhD students, 4,000 faculty and staff, and over 265,000 alumni worldwide. For more information, visit torontomu.ca.

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Jessica Leach
jleach@torontomu.ca