Michael Higgins: Canada’s most dangerous professor

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In 2023, the university allowed — and then cancelled — a speech by Widdowson called “How ‘Woke-ism Threatens Academic Freedom.” There is an on-going court case with Widdowson asking for a judicial review of that cancellation. 

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In February of this year, Widdowson’s presence on the Lethbridge campus for an event provoked a large protest from students who banged drums and shouted abuse. Following that appearance, the university decided to issue a trespass notice against Widdowson — even though it was students doing the protesting. 

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“You were observed engaging in the ‘interference in or disruption of the operation of the University, including the interference with or disruption of the normal business of University staff, students and visitors’ contrary to the University of Lethbridge Trespass Policy,” says the trespass notice. 

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In a statement to the Post on Monday, the university said of the February appearance that it was an unscheduled event and noted “safety concerns and significant disruptions” at other universities where Widdowson had appeared previously. 

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Widdowson’s presence caused a major protest but she was allowed on campus for six hours to express her views, said the university.   

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“When it became clear the situation would not de-escalate, and that safety could no longer be maintained and core operations were being disrupted due to institutional capacity, the University issued a trespass notice which was served on Widdowson by the police. When she did not leave, the police removed her,” said the statement. 

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On Friday, April 24, Widdowson returned to the university but police and security were expecting her and deterred her from going on campus.  

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Although she did not have an event planned, Widdowson returned the next day, Saturday, and was in the cafeteria talking to someone she knew, a member of the public and not a student, when security told her to leave because of the trespass order.

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Widdowson told security she considered the trespass notice invalid because she wasn’t doing any disrupting at the February event.

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When she continued talking, “they called in the police and put me in handcuffs and dragged me out and put me in the paddy wagon and then gave me a $600 ticket.” 

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In its statement, the university said, “University security advised her of the trespass notice and asked her to leave. When she refused, security contacted police, who enforced the notice. 

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“The University has reasonable grounds to believe that Widdowson’s presence would again result in significant disruption that exceeds the University’s ability to manage it.” 

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“What they’re doing is they’re weaponizing the Occupational Health and Safety Act,” said Widdowson. 

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At the universities, Widdowson gets students to engage in Spectrum Street Epistemology where they are asked whether they strongly agree, strongly disagree or are neutral on certain positions — like the Kamloops graves, for instance. 

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After they make their choice students are asked what evidence they have for their belief. 

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“It’s a very good way to get people to be thinking about the evidence that they are using to come to the understanding that they are,” said Widdowson. 

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Meanwhile, the issue of free speech on universities is troubling the Alberta government with Premier Danielle Smith musing about the need for a law to protect freedom of expression and academic freedom in post-secondary schools.