The university upheld the right of Canadian Students for Free Speech to hold its debate, and the right of students and artists to answer it.
CALGARY: The Democracy Fund (TDF) is encouraged by the University of Calgary’s commitment to free expression for everyone involved in the debate that followed a Canadian Students for Free Speech (CSFS) event on campus, including those who strongly objected to it. TDF also affirms the right of artists seth cardinal dodginghorse and Glenna Cardinal to withdraw their work from the university’s Nickle Galleries in protest.
On September 29, the day before the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, CSFS, TDF’s national campus program, held a “Make Your Case” debate on campus. Dr. Tom Flanagan, professor emeritus of political science, and Rebel News reporter Drea Humphrey invited students to argue whether residential schools constituted genocide. Students who disagreed came to the table and made their case. The event ended early after an individual poured a bottle of water over Dr. Flanagan and Ms. Humphrey.
The event prompted a demonstration on campus and calls for Dr. Flanagan’s emeritus title to be removed. The artist duo tīná gúyáńí, made up of seth cardinal dodginghorse and their mother, Glenna Cardinal, a University of Calgary alumna, then removed seven works from the gallery. In their place, they left a letter supporting the protesters’ demand. The artists report that the gallery responded positively to their decision.
In a statement, the University of Calgary said that while it does not endorse the views of the event’s organizers, it has “a responsibility to permit lawful assembly and expression, including when the ideas being expressed are unwelcome, upsetting or objectionable.” The university is reviewing its policies to ensure everyone on campus engages respectfully.
Section 2(b) of the Charter protects expression that others find controversial or offensive. That protection extends equally to the debate, counter-argument, peaceful protest, open letters, and an artist’s decision about where their work will hang. Freedom of expression includes the freedom to refuse to lend one’s voice or work to an institution to which one objects. TDF takes no institutional position on the historical question: its position is that every person involved had the right to debate it and each other civilly.
TDF Executive Director, Mark Joseph, said: "The University of Calgary’s statement defends the right of our speakers to make their case, and the right of students, faculty and artists to say publicly that they are wrong." The artists have every right to object to Dr. Flanagan’s views and to decide that their work will not hang on campus. Their call for his title to be removed is protected speech, just as his argument against it is protected speech. This is what a liberal democracy looks like when it works. The one thing that has no place in this exchange is the assault that ended the event, and we expect the university to enforce its code of conduct.”
William Diaz, TDF’s National Campus Coordinator, who organized the event, said: "The goal of our organization is simple: encourage civil and respectful dialogue and debate over disagreements around some of the biggest issues facing the next generation. I want to encourage students to think critically about topics most people usually refrain from discussing out loud. Dialogue (and proper legislation) is the single best tool to prevent political violence and move forward as a society."
The “Make Your Case” series will continue at other Canadian universities this fall and winter.
About The Democracy Fund:
Founded in 2021, The Democracy Fund (TDF) is a Canadian charity dedicated to defending constitutional rights, promoting free speech and religious freedom, and opposing religious discrimination. TDF advances these principles through litigation, public education, educational initiatives, and access-to-justice programs for Canadians whose civil liberties have been infringed.
