Honourable senators, I’m pleased today to be hosting a group of university students from Canada, Israel and Italy, who are accompanied by their professor Mr. Michael Geist.

These students are part of the collaborative Global Technology Law and Policy program, which is celebrating a decade of cultural exchange between the University of Ottawa and the University of Haifa, and more recently also includes Bocconi University in Milan.

For the past 10 years, the University of Ottawa and the University of Haifa have partnered on a unique academic and cultural course that examines global technology law and policy issues. Over the years, it has brought together hundreds of students to experience new countries and develop new connections.

This year marks an exciting milestone in their joint efforts to examine the global development of technology law policy, including privacy, intellectual property and internet regulation.

Through this exchange program, participants have been fortunate to engage with scholars, students and experts from the other universities, exchanging invaluable insights and forging enduring connections.

Given everything that is going on in the world today, I think it is more important than ever to celebrate programs like this one — to celebrate collaboration.

It’s beyond unfortunate that some of these students with us today would face backlash on university campuses, like my own alma mater, McGill University.

I don’t want to put a damper on what should be a positive experience for these students. I certainly hope they enjoy their visit here today.

However, I would also be remiss if I didn’t take this opportunity to absolutely and unequivocally condemn the anti‑Semitism that Jewish students are facing on university campuses across Canada and the U.S. — across North America — and to call on those universities to do the right thing and deal with these encampments appropriately.

I know my colleagues will make those of you here with us today feel more welcome than many of you would feel on those campuses. Welcome to Ottawa. Thank you for being here.