Ontario premier calls comment on X 'disgusting'
A University of Toronto professor has been placed on leave after making a controversial comment on social media in the aftermath of the assassination of American conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The university confirmed that Ruth Marshall, an associate professor of religious studies and political science, is currently not on campus while the matter is under review.
Kirk was fatally shot while addressing a crowd at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.
Shortly after the news of the assassination broke, Marshall posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Shooting is honestly too good for so many of you fascist c–ts.” The post, which appeared at 5:40 p.m. ET, was later deleted.
The university responded with a written statement: “The university took immediate action upon learning of the concerning social media posts of a University of Toronto professor. The faculty member is now on leave and not on campus. The matter is being looked into and the university will not be commenting further,” according to media reports.
‘Violent rhetoric’ online
Ontario Premier Doug Ford condemned Marshall’s comment, telling the Toronto Sun: “That is disgusting. Sick people.”
Ontario’s Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, Nolan Quinn, also criticized the post, stating on X: “Universities and their professors are supposed to foster critical thought, respectful debate, and be safe learning environments — and this professor’s violent rhetoric flagrantly flies in the face of that. I’ve been clear with the University of Toronto: they need to act.”
Universities and their professors are supposed to foster critical thought, respectful debate, and be safe learning environments - and this professor's violent rhetoric flagrantly flies in the face of that.
— Nolan Quinn (@nolanmquinn) September 11, 2025
I've been clear with the University of Toronto: they need to act.…
Marshall has not responded to interview requests. She later posted on X that her earlier comment was not related to Kirk’s assassination and described it as an expression “referring to the vile and abject character of the person, not an act of killing,” according to the Financial Post.
U of T social media guidelines
Speaking to HRD, Lorenzo Lisi, partner at Aird & Berlis, said that while employers generally cannot regulate employees' off-duty conduct, the conduct of an employee can in fact be the subject of discipline and perhaps even termination where that conduct can directly impact the workplace, or undermine the reputation or brand of the employer.
At this time, the University of Toronto has not indicated whether Marshall’s leave is a suspension or if further disciplinary measures will be taken. The university has stated that it will not comment further while the matter is under review, said the Toronto Sun.
The university issued a Social Media Task Force Report in 2023, providing policy and guidance “to help improve the social media experience for our community.”
On a page outlining best practices and guidelines, the school says many faculty use social media “to enhance teaching, research and professional networking.
“However, social media also poses unique challenges and risks, such as privacy violations, ethical dilemmas and harassment.”
