In reversal, University of Lethbridge cancels controversial professor’s guest lecture

The University of Lethbridge will no longer host a Wednesday guest lecture from a controversial professor fired from Mount Royal University in 2021, following criticism from students and faculty at the school.

It’s an about-face for the southern Alberta university, which had previously said Frances Widdowson’s lecture would continue in alignment with the school’s mandate to protect free expression.

Widdowson, who has sparked controversy over comments espousing the benefits of residential schools, said in a Facebook post she intended to attempt to give the guest lecture on campus anyway.

“You will have to haul me away by security to stop me,” wrote Widdowson, who did not immediately respond to a Postmedia request for comment Monday.