University of Lethbridge students push back against controversial speaker
The University of Lethbridge says a controversial guest speaker appearance will go ahead, despite pushback from some students.
The university says a faculty member at the school has scheduled Frances Widdowson to speak on Feb. 1.
The former MRU professor made headlines in 2020 for criticizing Black Lives Matter and espousing the educational benefit of residential schools.
Widdowson was fired from Mount Royal University in January 2022, after more than 6,000 students signed a petition calling for her to be fired.
Despite pushback from U of L students, the university says its mandate affirms freedom of expression and the event will take place as scheduled.
In a statement, U of L president Mike Mahon said, "The university does not tolerate behaviour that undermines the safety of our diverse community. And the university will restrict expression that violates the law, defames an individual or that constitutes a threat of harassment."
The U of L said an opposing position talk has been arranged to counter Widdowson's speech but some students said that isn't enough.
"The University of Lethbridge really prides itself on its Indigenous name and land acknowledgments," said Jason Ranaghan, of the U of L Student Action Assembly,
"And to see someone who has not only made one or two off-end comments, but has made her entire academic career off of defaming and denying the existence and painful history of residential schools is extremely disheartening to see."
Jason Ranaghan from University of Lethbridge Student Action Assembly
"It feels like a slap in the face," Ranaghan added, "to all the work that they're doing."
The Student Action Assembly says it's planning a peaceful protest outside the classroom where the speech will be held.
With files from Cynthia Roebuck
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire' are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
Houston braces for flooding to worsen in wake of storms
High waters flooded neighborhoods around Houston on Saturday following heavy rains that have already resulted in crews rescuing hundreds of people from homes, rooftops and roads engulfed in murky water.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Canadian Auger-Aliassime reaches first Masters final in Madrid with another walkover
Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime has advanced to his first ATP Masters final, and he hasn't had to play all that much tennis to do it.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Golf season a summer tourism driver in Canada
Golf is a sign of spring and summer and a major driver for seasonal tourism, experts say.