N.L. education minister rejects candidates for university’s top post

Newfoundland and Labrador’s education minister says she rejected candidates for Memorial University’s top job after she personally interviewed them. But Joan Burke denied accusations today that the provincial government politically interfered in the selection process for the school’s next president.

Related: Williams accused of interfering in MUN president searchRelated: Dale Kirby’s comments on the situation

Burke says after she interviewed two candidates for the prestigious post, she asked the school’s search committee to find other applicants.

Burke defended her role in the selection process, saying the public expects the provincial government to show leadership when choosing the university’s president.

Under provincial law, the cabinet has the authority to approve or reject the committee’s selection, though approval has long been considered a formality.

In some other provinces, such as Nova Scotia and Ontario, universities do not need the approval of their provincial governments to select incoming presidents.

- The Canadian Press