One would not expect the worst university in Canada regarding free speech to be in Alberta. The University of Lethbridge, however, has surpassed all other universities in Canada in this regard. For those who are unaware of this case, let’s do a timeline about what has occurred.
In December 2022, Frances Widdowson was invited by philosophy professor Paul Viminitz to give the talk “How ‘Woke-ism’ Threatens Academic Freedom”. The talk was to be held on February 1, 2023, and Widdowson would also give a guest lecture in two of Viminitz classes on “Indigenous ways of knowing”.
The University of Lethbridge president said that, while Widdowson’s views were “abhorrent” and contrary to “truth and reconciliation”, the talk would have to proceed because of the government’s free speech directive.
The University of Lethbridge Faculty Association implied that Widdowson’s views were harmful, and recommended courses of action to deal with the negative impact of Widdowson’s speech.
After being pressured by indigenization activists such as Vice-Provost Leroy Little Bear, the president cancelled the talk. The President worried about repercussions from the government for violating its free speech directive.
Widdowson stated on Facebook that she would be showing up anyway to give her talk.
When Widdowson arrived in the Atrium to give the talk, she was met by a crowd of about 700 people, and many of them tried to stop her from speaking.
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Widdowson agreed to be escorted out of the area for her own safety.
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That evening, the University of Lethbridge president congratulated the students for their behaviour.
The Alberta government did nothing to punish the University of Lethbridge for violating its free speech directive. Instead, it directed universities to report on their protection of free speech.
In August 2023, the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms mounted a Charter Challenge on behalf of Frances Widdowson and Jonah Pickle, a student at the University of Lethbridge.
In January 2026, professor emeritus Anthony Hall agreed to participate with Widdowson in a Spectrum Street Epistemology session on “Residential School Genocide?” on February 4, 2026. The topic was chosen because Hall thought there was evidence to support the claim of genocide, while Widdowson was critical of it. At about 10:00 a.m. Widdowson announced that she would be on campus, and that people should come and discuss the claim about “Residential School Genocide” if they were interested.
At 11:00 a.m., the university sent out an email to students saying that a “controversial figure” was on campus who had “upsetting” and “disrespectful” views.
At 11:20 a.m. a student approached Widdowson and wanted to know about the Spectrum Street Epistemology method. At about 11:45 a.m. a “native rights mob” began to make loud noises so that the session could not continue.
Widdowson and Hall, along with their respective spouses Albert and Helena, endured assaults, property damage, theft, intimidation and harassment. People were intentionally trying to harm the group by damaging their hearing with instruments acquired from the university. At about 5:15 p.m. the police arrested Widdowson because they could not control the situation. Anthony Hall was left by himself, surrrounded by the angry mob, and thrown to the ground outside.
That evening, the University of Lethbridge sent out an email that did not condemn the students’ behaviour and implied that “all individuals engaged lawfully”.
The next day, anthropologist and Gender, Equity, and Diversity Committee (GEDC) Chair Patrick Wilson sent an email to Provost Michelle Helstein supporting the students and arguing that the university should have prevented Widdowson from engaging in the academic exercise.
The next week, a statement by the GEDC was posted on the ULFA website saying that Widdowson and Hall had intentionally caused harm and were motivated by hate.
On February 13, 2026, the President and Vice-Provost Leroy Little Bear held a “Sweetgrass over coals” ceremony to smudge Widdowson’s “negativity” out of the Atrium.
Vice-Provost Little Bear stated that the students had done a “fantastic job” in “neutralizing” Widdowson.
Widdowson then posted on social media saying that she would be meeting students for coffee in March or April 2026.
University of Lethbridge English professor Jessica Copley then organized a letter for people to sign saying the university should stop Widdowson from coming.
On April 25, 2026, Widdowson travelled to Lethbridge to meet a student for coffee. The University of Lethbridge Faculty Association sent out a “Individual on Campus Alert” saying that Widdowson posted a serious “health and safety threat”. It also warned faculty members not to communicate over email, as this would be acquired by Widdowson through a freedom of information request.
On April 26, 2026, Widdowson entered into the cafeteria at the University of Lethbridge. She was arrested while having a coffee with a member of the public. Widdowson was handcuffed and thrown into the back of a police van.
Widdowson was given a $600 dollar ticket for trespassing because it was claimed that she had caused the disruption on February 4, 2026.
In April 2026, the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms went to court about the constitutional challenge concerning the cancellation of the February 1, 2023 event. The decision of the court case is pending.
On April 30, 2026, Widdowson met with Myles McDougall, the Minister of Advanced Education. Widdowson said, at the very least, that the University of Lethbridge should hold an event with Widdowson, Hall, Aaron Pete and any representatives chosen by the University of Lethbridge and the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association to discuss whether the residential schools were genocidal, and that funding should be withdrawn if the event was not held. Minister McDougall said he would talk to the University of Lethbridge.
In June 2026, Widdowson sent a letter to the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association demanding that they retract their defamatory statement, hold an event with her, Hall, Aaron Pete and anyone chosen by the faculty association to discuss whether the residential schools were genocidal.
On the Aaron Pete podcast Nuanced, Premier Danielle Smith said it was too bad that the Kamloops case could not be discussed.
In August 2026, Widdowson filed a statement of claim for defamation against the University of Lethbridge and the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association.
On September 1, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., Widdowson, Peter Boghossian and Reid Nicewonder will be holding a Spectrum Street Epistemology session on “Residential School Genocide?”.
Although it may be claimed that Widdowson’s presence is illegitimate because the University of Lethbridge claims that it issued a trespass notice on February 4, 2026, the Lethbridge Police do not have an obligation to enforce the order. They have discretion, and it is obvious from the facts that the University of Lethbridge is maliciously preventing Widdowson from speaking by falsely claiming that she caused a “disruption” on February 4, 2026.
Whoah Daddy!