On Friday April 10, 2026, Jonah Pickle and Frances Widdowson’s case against the University of Lethbridge finally goes to court. This will occur at 10:00 a.m. at the Calgary Court Centre, 601 5th Street SW, and will be open to the public.
The case involves the cancellation of Widdowson’s talk on February 1, 2023.
After her talk was cancelled, Widdowson showed up to give her speech in the Atrium, and she was met by about 700 people. Widdowson was not allowed to speak.
After Widdowson was forced to leave the University of Lethbridge, Widdowson gave her talk on Zoom.
The climate was so bad at the University of Lethbridge that professors were afraid to ask for the Zoom link.
In their case against the University of Lethbridge, Pickle and Widdowson are being represented by Glenn Blackett, from the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms.
The JCCF and the University of Lethbridge submitted Briefsin July 2024. The JCCF then replied to the University of Lethbridge’s Brief.
Many background documents have been posted about Widdowson’s cancellation, which shows a university that is completely unmoored from its academic purpose.
This case is incredibly important for the future of open inquiry and free speech in universities. Widdowson will be livestreaming on April 10 during the breaks, and will have discussions with Glenn Blackett about the unfolding events.
