The controversy surrounding American political pundit Ann Coulter has led to a sold out event in Calgary.
After a rocky start to her Canadian tour - where her speaking engagement in Ottawa was cancelled because of safety concerns - she is experiencing a warmer reception out west.
"It's very heartwarming. It's what I expected from Calgary. I thought weeks ago that this would be the best speech, or the most fun speech, or the most fun audience, they're most respectful of free speech in Calgary," says Coulter.
Officials with the University of Calgary vow that Coulter's speech on Thursday night, at the Red and White Club, will go off without a hitch.
"The purpose of a university is to promote the free exchange of ideas and to go against that is to go against what the university stands for," says Alan Harrison, the vice president of academics at the U of C.
Coulter shrugs off the controversy her events have created but says the demonstrations in Ottawa have left a black mark on the country's reputation.
"I think the university of Ottawa was a disgrace - whether or not you like Ann Coulter – to silence her through threats or intimidation is just un-Canadian. I think in Calgary we are more tolerant," says Ezra Levant, who organized Coulter's tour of Canada.
Tickets for Thursday night's event are sold out but CTV News has learned at least one well known local conservative won't be attending.
Craig Chandler, and outspoken and highly-controversial conservative himself, had been banned from attending a private reception with Coulter prior to her speech.
Levant was not willing to discuss the matter with CTV News but did say Chandler was not allowed to attend the reception because he misrepresented himself as an organizer in media interviews during the incident in Ottawa.
Chandler thinks it has more to do with him disagreeing with comments Coulter made about Muslims. Chandler thinks it's a bit hypocritical to ban him while criticizing others about limiting free speech.
