Updated Rubin Thomlinson report following review of redactions
In June 2023, the University of Prince Edward Island publicly released the Rubin Thomlinson report, formally titled the University of Prince Edward Island Review. The report was published in a redacted form after a legal review to protect the identity of individuals, and to avoid potentially defamatory comments.
Following the publication of the redacted Rubin Thomlinson report, the Faculty Association filed a grievance. As part of the pre-hearing document production process, the Arbitration Board ordered the disclosure of the Rubin Thomlinson report, subject to appropriate redactions made to protect the identity of individuals and to avoid potentially defamatory comments. The Arbitration Board Chair reviewed the Rubin Thomlinson report and found that the majority of the redactions made by UPEI were appropriate, ordering that eight redacted areas be unredacted. In accordance with the Arbitration Board’s order, UPEI is sharing as of September 2025 an updated version of the Rubin Thomlinson report—the University of Prince Edward Island Review—with those eight additional areas unredacted.
In the lead-up to this release, UPEI took time to carefully review this matter with regard to its promise, and Rubin Thomlinson’s promise, to safeguard the identities of those who participated in the review process. UPEI exercised due diligence and made every effort to assess the impact of the removal of those eight redacted areas on affected individuals, who remain unknown to current members of the UPEI administration. We know that preserving the integrity of confidential reporting is essential. It is critical that we carefully balance the protection of individual dignity and privacy to foster a safe environment for reporting with the transparent sharing of key information to help shape the culture we aspire to at UPEI.
Building a culture of trust at UPEI, grounded in transparency, accountability, and meaningful action, is UPEI’s utmost priority. We will continue to update the community on these efforts. UPEI acknowledges that, during the time period examined in the Rubin Thomlinson report, UPEI failed to create a safe, respectful, and positive environment for working and learning for all members of the community, violating UPEI’s collective agreement with the Faculty Association, as well as the PEI Occupational Health and Safety Act.
The University has been clear in its commitment to change. We continue our work to implement the recommendations contained in the Rubin Thomlinson report and to drive progress with the implementation of our five-year UPEI Action Plan.
