Discover the documentary that explores a watershed moment in Canadian race relations
Sir George Williams University, The Henry F. Hall building in 1970. Photo credit: Conrad Poirier
Ninth Floor is a 2015 National Film Board documentary exploring a watershed moment in Canadian race relations. In 1969, a group of Black West-Indian students at Sir George Williams University (now Concordia) in Montreal accused a biology professor of discrimination based on evidence of unfair grading. The lack of meaningful response from the University prompted a series of student-led meetings, sit-ins, and peaceful protests. Ultimately over 400 students occupied the university’s computer lab and engaged in negotiations with a reluctant administration. When talks broke down riot police were called to storm the building resulting in 97 arrests and $2 million worth of damage.
The computer centre riot has gained an almost mythical stature as a turning point for race relations in Canada.Ninth Floor
Filmmaker Mina Shum’s documentary focuses on the students affected by the incident. Ninth Floor premiered at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival and Shum was awarded the Women in Film+Television Artistic Merit Award at the Vancouver International Film Festival that same year.
Ninth Floor, Mina Shum, provided by the National Film Board of Canada
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Explore more about Black History Month 2022 here
Learn about UBC Faculty of Medicine Learner Mistreatment Help here
Read about the Sir George Williams Affair here