He Served His Time, but the Question of Safety Remains

There is a question that universities rarely have to answer but that this one has been forced to confront: what happens when the pursuit of rehabilitation meets the fear it can inspire? At McGill University's Faculty of Law, that question has taken the form of a 60-something man named Jeffrey George Ewert, convicted of murder and attempted murder more than four decades ago, who has been attending classes since August under day parole.

Ewert was convicted in 1984 of second-degree murder and attempted murder following two attacks in British Columbia. He sexually assaulted and killed a woman, Corina Leah McKee, and less than six weeks later, beat and strangled a 15-year-old girl, leaving her permanently disabled . He is serving a life sentence and was granted day parole in February 2025. That parole was extended for six months in June 2026 .

The presence of a convicted killer on campus has divided the law faculty. Some students told CBC they were upset the university did not disclose his violent history. "For me, it's really the lack of transparency," one student said, speaking anonymously out of fear of repercussions. She noted that more than half of the students are women and that Ewert's presence places them in a "vulnerable and dangerous position" . Another said, "Not knowing made it more scary for us" .

Other students, however, have had positive interactions with Ewert. Two McGill students told CBC they spent time alone with him and described the experience as positive. Both were aware of his past convictions and said they never felt threatened or unsafe. "I think there's a difference between feeling uncomfortable and being in danger," one said .

Ewert's lawyer, Nora Demnati, said McGill was fully aware of his history and parole status when he applied. She described him as a changed man who was in his 20s when he committed his offenses and is now in his 60s. "He's been very honest about his history, his parole status and his conditions," she said .

McGill declined to discuss Ewert's specific case, citing privacy laws. A spokesperson said criminal background checks are not typically part of Canadian universities' admissions processes, but the university "would act quickly and decisively" if concerning information were brought forward. On Friday, McGill Provost Angela Campbell sent an email to the community acknowledging that students' concerns are "legitimate" and that a "fair process that balances the rights and interests of everyone involved is currently underway" .

Parole documents show Ewert's risk of reoffending was rated moderate to high by clinical assessments, though the parole board concluded it could fall to moderate under close supervision. Conditions include not entering drinking establishments, reporting all relationships with women, and allowing his case management team access to all telecommunications. The parole board added the latter condition after Ewert was found viewing women's profiles on social media and exploring a dating site without notifying his team .

Ewert has not been seen on campus since October 6 .

AI Image Disclaimer: This article's image is AI-generated and does not depict the actual individuals or campus setting involved.

Sources: CBC News, Arab Canada News