RBC to close branch on University of Ottawa campus

A bank branch is closing at the University of Ottawa. The bank says it was a standard decision, but student groups say otherwise. CTV’s Katelyn Wilson reports.

The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) branch on the campus of the University of Ottawa will be closing later this spring, as part of a planned redevelopment of the student centre, according to the bank and the university.

The University of Ottawa tells CTV News Ottawa it needs to repurpose spaces within the Jock Turcot University Centre, and the RBC branch will close.

“The University is repurposing spaces in the Jock Turcot University Centre to expand and consolidate student services and experiential learning opportunities for a growing student population,” Jesse Robichaud, Director of Public Affairs at uOttawa, said in a statement, adding the student population now exceeds 50,000.

“The University Centre project is part of the University’s commitment to enhancing student learning experience. This commitment is a key focus of the University’s teaching and research mission. These plans have impacted building occupants, services, and tenants, and as a result RBC’s On-Campus branch in the Jock Turcot University Centre will close in the coming months.”

A spokesperson for RBC said while the branch is closing, the bank will continue to have a presence on campus.

“We value our relationship with the University of Ottawa staff, students, and the community at large. It’s a privilege to continue to provide students with services that go beyond traditional banking through our on-campus location,” RBC said.

“We look forward to continuing to have a presence on campus and supporting students through participation in university-led events, hosting financial literacy sessions, and offering career-focused workshops.”

While both uOttawa and RBC say the bank’s departure from the Jock Turcot University Centre is due to the redevelopment of the student centre, students’ groups say they have “won an end to the RBC OnCampus Branch tenancy” after protests over the presence of the bank on campus.

The University of Ottawa Students’ Union, Course Change and the Climate Justice Climatique University of Ottawa had called on uOttawa to end its relationship with RBC. The groups wanted RBC to stop funding fossil fuel projects.

“This announcement comes after four years of student organizing to kick RBC off campus, led by a coalition of student groups,” Change Course and the uOttawa Students’ Union said on social media.

“uOttawa is the fourth Canadian university to commit to ending their on-campus tenancy agreement with RBC… and this commitment is a powerful signal that student organizing WORKS!

Last summer, Scotiabank closed its branch on the campus of Carleton University.

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