Content warning: this article discusses sexual harassment.

Michael White is no longer the director of Indigenous Student Services and the First Nations House after an investigation found that he had sexually harassed an employee over several years, The Toronto Star reported on August 31. 

On August 18, the university’s director of workplace investigations, Hana Saleem, sent a letter to the complainant notifying her of White’s departure and stating that his actions were “inconsistent with the expectations that the university has for employees in leadership positions” and a breach of U of T’s policy on sexual violence and sexual harassment. The Star did not publish the complainant’s name, “due to the nature of her allegations.”

When asked if White was fired, ​​a spokesperson from U of T said it is unable “to share details regarding personnel matters for reasons of confidentiality and people’s privacy.”

Included in the letter shared with the Star was a summary of an external investigation done by Robin Parker of Paradigm Law Group, which detailed years of sexualized and inappropriate comments made to the complainant by White. The summary also says that White did not respect workplace boundaries, sharing details of his intimate life with the complainant and contacting her outside of work. The investigator said that the complainant alleged that she felt “uncomfortable and unsafe, especially as it continued after she told him to stop numerous times.”

The complainant, who resigned from the university in part due to her discomfort in the workplace environment, raised seven allegations against White. Of these, Parker’s investigation found one substantiated, four “partially substantiated,” and two “unsubstantiated.” 

The substantiated allegation against White was that, “between Sept 2022 and September 2024, the Respondent made a series of inappropriate comments by comparing the Complainant to the likeness of women he was either in a romantic relationship with or was sexually attracted to …”

The summary noted that White did not deny making these comments, “as part of a personal exchange,” but “denied the frequency alleged by the Complainant, and denied that he intended the comments in a sexual way,” however “The investigator found that the Respondent made personal comments about the Complainant with sufficient frequency to affect her comfort and ease at work.”

On September 5, White posted a full statement on Facebook, in which he expressed remorse for his conduct, writing, “Regardless of my intentions, my words and actions were inappropriate, and I regret the harm I caused.” 

“I’ve had much time to reflect on and learn from this experience,” White wrote, adding, “The investigation itself lasted the better part of a year. I was placed on leave during that time, leaving the organization without Indigenous leadership and creating disruption for staff, students, and the broader community.”

White also reiterated that six of the seven allegations were either unsubstantiated or not fully substantiated, writing, “I accept full responsibility for my actions. However, I reject attempts to distort the truth.”

In an email to The Varsity, White confirmed that he was terminated from his position at the university.

White, who graduated from U of T with a B.A. in anthropology in 2005, has spent the last eight years working at the university, first as a Special Projects Officer, Indigenous Initiatives, supporting the university’s truth and reconciliation efforts. In May 2020, White took on the role of Director of First Nations House and Indigenous Student Services.

The Star reported that the complainant said she “decided to speak up because she wants other women to know they have the right to feel safe in the workplace and shouldn’t tolerate sexual harassment.”

Editor’s note (September 10, 5:36 PM): This article has been updated to include White’s statement The Varsity received after publication.

If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence or harassment at U of T:

  • Visit svpscentre.utoronto.ca for information, contact details, and hours of operation for the tri-campus Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre. Centre staff can be reached by phone at 416-978-2266 or by email at [email protected].
  • Call Campus Safety Special Constable Service to make a report at 416-978-2222 (for U of T St. George and U of T Scarborough) or 905-569-4333 (for U of T Mississauga)
  • Call the Women’s College Hospital Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care Centre at 416-323-6040
  • Call the Scarborough Health Network Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Care Centre at 416-495-2555
  • Call the Assaulted Women’s Helpline at 1-866-863-0511