OTTAWA - The Carleton University Students' Association has voted to drop cystic fibrosis as the beneficiary of its annual Shinearama fundraiser, arguing that the illness is not "inclusive" enough.
Cystic fibrosis "has been recently revealed to only affect white people, and primarily men" said the motion read to student councillors, who voted almost unanimously in favour of it.
Nick Bergamini, a third-year council member representing journalism students, said he was the only elected representative present at the meeting to vote against the motion.
"They're not doctors. They're playing politics with this," he said.
The motion did not reveal the source of the claim about cystic fibrosis, a life-limiting disease that affects the mucous glands of the lungs, liver, pancreas and intestines.
The median life expectancy for a person with cystic fibrosis in Canada is about 35 years.
Carleton students have fanned out across the city near the beginning of the school year to raise money to fight the illness for years. But according to the motion read Monday night to student councillors, "all orientees and volunteers should feel like their fundraising efforts will serve the their (sic) diverse communities."
Mr. Bergamini said the orientation week fundraiser, which is carried out by students at many universities across Canada, raised about $1 million last year. Shinearama has raised money for cystic fibrosis research for more than 25 years.
"I think they see see this, in their own twisted way, as a win for diversity," said Mr. Bergamini. "I see it as a loss for people with cystic fibrosis."
Meanwhile, he said the vote was an example of political correctness gone too far in student government.
"They're playing racial politics with something that is supposed to bring people together - a charity," said Mr. Bergamini.
