Frances Widdowson

2023 - 1 - 31

Post cover — Image courtesy of "Globalnews.ca"

University of Lethbridge cancels controversial Frances Widdowson ... (Globalnews.ca)

A former Calgary professor says she will proceed with a controversial lecture on the U of L campus this week, even though the school says it won't provide a ...

“Indigenous peoples have and continue to play an undeniably impactful role in shaping the University of Lethbridge that we know today. We are committed to the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada. “In 2019, the university developed a statement that ensured a commitment to free expression on our campus. “I’m very appreciative of the fact that people are not going to cancel the talk, that the president is standing firm on not cancelling,” said Widdowson. “Over the past few days, and upon learning of this lecture, we have sought guidance from those with considerable cultural, scholarly, sectoral and legal expertise, including continuing guidance from the vice-provost, Indigenous Relations and others. In assessing these limits the university must be attentive to the safety of our diverse community.

In reversal, University of Lethbridge cancels controversial ... (Calgary Herald)

Following criticism from students and faculty, the U of L say they won't host a guest lecture from controversial professor Frances Widdowson.

A concurrent guest lecture from University of Manitoba professor Dr. While she’s continued to face backlash from some, others have lauded her as a champion of free speech. Some faculty also pushed back, with the university’s Department of Indigenous Studies condemning Widdowson’s “anti-Indigenous rhetoric” in a statement. Article content

University of Lethbridge says speech from controversial professor ... (CBC.ca)

U of L says a speech by a controversial former Mount Royal University professor who was fired in late 2021 won't be allowed space on campus.

She wrote that the school's faculty association was taking her case to arbitration this month. She [was dismissed from the Calgary institution in late 2021](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/frances-widdowson-mount-royal-university-fired-1.6303734). In that statement, Mahon wrote that Widdowson's views were in conflict with those held by the university, including its stated commitment to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. That page had raised more than $39,000 as of Jan. [6,000 people to call for her firing](https://www.change.org/p/mount-royal-university-fire-frances-widdowson-a-racist-professor-at-mru) via a petition. At the time, she attributed her firing to her criticizing "woke ideas" and suggested that "identity politics" had prevented people from discussing ideas at the university.

University of Lethbridge will not host scheduled lecture by ... (CTV Toronto)

The University of Lethbridge, following a great deal of pushback from students and members of the public, says it will not provide space for a planned ...

reeling after daughter killed in fire, home destroyed](https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/family-in-remote-northern-ont-reeling-after-daughter-killed-in-fire-home-destroyed-1.6252456) decriminalizes hard drugs, users still face months-long waits for treatment](https://bc.ctvnews.ca/as-b-c-decriminalizes-hard-drugs-users-still-face-months-long-waits-for-treatment-1.6253023) Two people discovered asleep in a vehicle in Sault Ste. [that that wasn't enough](https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/university-of-lethbridge-students-push-back-against-controversial-speaker-1.6250138) when it came to someone who "made a career" from discrediting survivors of Canada's residential school system. 30 were found with weapons and more than $175,000 in illegal drugs, Sault police said Monday. A six-year-old girl died in hospital Sunday night after being involved in an incident at the Val-Saint-Côme ski resort in Lanaudiere. That’s how one of his former teammates feels about the late Jets forward. The Mindbender roller coaster at Galaxyland has been shut down, West Edmonton Mall announced on Monday. In between, much of Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada can expect the coldest days yet this winter. [Family in remote northern Ont. "In 2019, the university developed a statement that ensured a commitment to free expression on our campus. She was scheduled for a speaking engagement at the University of Lethbridge on Feb.

UPDATED: Fired MRU professor vows to give talk at Lethbridge ... (Western Standard)

Former Mount Royal University (MRU) economics, justice, and policy studies professor Frances Widdowson said she will give her lecture at the University of ...

The statement acknowledges the university must be able to regulate facilities, times, places, and manners of expression. The U of L statement said there are limits to freedom of expression. He said it is “clear that the harm associated with this talk is an impediment to meaningful reconciliation.” He added this input confirmed “assertions that seek to minimize the significant and detrimental impact of Canada’s residential school system are harmful.” Mahon acknowledged there were some community members who have asked the university to intervene and cancel the lecture. A group of U of L students asked the school on Thursday to intervene and cancel the lecture Widdowson would give.

Alberta university cancels speech by fired anti-wokeism professor (National Post)

University of Lethbridge cancelled the event after guidance from those with 'considerable cultural, scholarly, sectoral and legal expertise'

[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) “This input confirmed that assertions that seek to minimize the significant and detrimental impact of Canada’s residential school system are harmful,” the statement says. On Monday, an updated statement from Mahon announced that the speech would not happen on campus. “Members of the university community have the right to criticize and question views expressed on campus, but they may not obstruct or interfere with others’ freedom of expression. However, academic freedom does not justify harassment or discrimination,” it said in a statement at the time. Widdowson was invited to campus by philosophy professor Paul Viminitz for a guest lecture.