CANADA: Pundit attacks VP over cancelled speech

A controversial American right-wing political pundit, Ann Coulter, said she would file a human rights complaint when a 1,500-strong protest at the University of Ottawa forced her to cancel a lecture scheduled for that evening.

Coulter said the university's vice-president François Houle as partly to blame after he sent her an email on Friday advising her to "educate yourself, if need be, as to what is acceptable in Canada and to do so before your planned visit here."

Houle also warned her that "promoting hatred against any identifiable group would not only be considered inappropriate but could in fact lead to criminal charges".

Coulter said the letter "created a climate of hate" against her and gave students permission to demonstrate strongly to try to prevent her speaking at the second of a three-stop series at Canadian universities.

The University of Ottawa's student union had earlier voted to ban Coulter, who has regularly appeared on right-slanted TV channel Fox News. Chaotic scenes occurred when supporters and opponents of the pundit jostled to gain access to a lecture theatre as international and national media, including University World News, looked on.

Police advised organisers to abandon the event after protesters blocked external access to the hall where she was to give her address.

Speaking to media and supporters inside, Canadian writer, lawyer, blogger and conservative political activist Ezra Levant said Coulter had been "silenced with threats and intimidation."

"The vice president telegraphed to the students that anything goes to censor anything that they disagree with," Levant said. "He said 'let's stop this woman from coming'. They took their guidance from him."

"He telegraphed that the University of Ottawa is not a place for free debate. He sent a message that the clash of ideas can only happen in Ottawa if it meets his approval."

Levant said it had taken a "provocateur like Ann Coulter from the States" to show how Canadian values of freedom of speech had plummeted.

"Freedom of speech in Canada, especially in our university campuses is in grave jeopardy today," he said, adding that supporters had been advised to leave by a back door although never in his whole life had he told how to exit a university safely because of a speech.

Coulter began her tour with a lecture at University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario and Ottawa was her second stop.

One political science student, Delory Dyer, said he had registered last month to see Coulter speak. He told University World News: "I believe in freedom of expression regardless if I like what's being said or not. You don't silence people."

Dyer said he thought Houle's warning to Coulter was "completely ridiculous", adding: "It is uncalled for. It made it seem as if Ann Coulter is an idiot who doesn't know another country might have different laws."

University President Allan Rock said: "Freedom of expression is a core value the University of Ottawa has always promoted. We have a long history of hosting contentious and controversial speakers on our campus. Last night was no exception, as people gathered here to listen to and debate Ann Coulter's opinions.

"I encourage our students, faculty and other members of our community to maintain our university as an open forum for diverse opinions. Ours is a safe and democratic environment for the expression of views, and we will keep it that way."

* Additional reporting by Keith Nuthall and Emma Jackson.

keith.nuthall@uw-news.com