Minister Says Alberta Will Further Protect Free Speech on Campus After University of Lethbridge Cancels Guest Professor’s Lecture

Frances Widdowson, a former associate professor in the department of economics, justice, and policy studies at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta, in an undated photo. Courtesy of Frances Widdowson

After controversy over the University of Lethbridge’s (U of L) decision to cancel a guest speaker’s public lecture on Feb. 1, an Alberta government minister has vowed the province will be taking further steps to protect campus free speech.

Demetrios Nicolaides, Alberta’s minister of advanced education, told The Epoch Times Tuesday that the U of L’s decision to cancel former professor Frances Widdowson’s public lecture on Feb. 1 went against the province’s position regarding free speech on post-secondary campuses.