A senior University of Saskatchewan official says there’s nothing wrong with the ties between its professor and agribusiness giant Monsanto, but some current and former faculty disagree, saying it’s another example of growing corporate influence at the U of S and other Canadian universities.

“I’m horrified because it does seem to be getting worse,” said U of S education professor Howard Woodhouse, who authored a book about academic freedom and corporate connections. “There is a real problem here.”

But Jeremy Rayner, director of the university’s Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, defended Peter Phillips. Phillips is a “distinguished professor” within the public policy school who has played a part in bringing more than $150 million in grants to the U of S, Rayner said.

“We encourage our faculty to translate their knowledge into policy arenas. That’s exactly what Prof. Phillips has done,” said Rayner.