Conservative author Ann Coulter is scheduled to speak in Calgary on Thursday night. (Jose Luis Magana/Associated Press)

The University of Calgary has changed the venue and beefed up security for American commentator Ann Coulter's speech Thursday night, after rowdy protests in Ottawa.

Originally scheduled for the science building, the conservative author's talk has been moved to the Red and White Club, which can hold up to 900 people.

"We will have a sufficient number of security staff on hand to make sure nothing will happen," said Alan Harrison, provost at the U of C. He said the extra cost of doubling security will be billed back to the event's organizers.

Coulter cancelled an appearance at the University of Ottawa on Wednesday night after 1,000 people tried to jam into the scheduled speech, while a few hundred protested loudly outside.

Coulter, a frequent guest political talk shows in the United States, became known for her inflammatory comments against Muslims after the Sept. 11 attacks.

Calgary last stop in 3-city tour

Her three-city Canadian tour began Monday at the University of Western Ontario where she came under fire for an answer she gave to student's question about her views on Muslims.

Coulter has said all terrorists are Muslims and has suggested all Muslims be barred from airlines and use flying carpets. When the student said she didn't have a flying carpet, Coulter told her to "take a camel."

'It's not our job to determine in advance what she might or might not say and whether that is the promotion of hatred.'— Alan Harrison, U of C provost

"I certainly hope that Calgary is more civil to her and I think it's important that, somebody with her kind of calibre and background be allowed to speak," said Calgary MP Rob Anders.

Harrison said the University of Calgary will be doing what it can to ensure the Coulter event goes ahead: "The purpose of the university is to encourage and promote the free exchange of ideas. To do anything other than that is I think to go against what the university stands for."

Harrison added it's not the school's job to determine whether Coulter is promoting hate.

"We have laws in this country that ensure that people cannot promote hatred," he said Wednesday. "If she is deemed to be promoting hatred, those who feel that she's doing so can seek redress through the law.

"It's not our job to determine in advance what she might or might not say and whether that is the promotion of hatred."

Tickets available

Student Dylan Jones, who helped organize a cultural event this week celebrating diversity at the U of C, said just as people will listen to Coulter, many more will take part in the cultural event.

"If that's what they want to do that's fine, but people should know that there's a larger force of love going around as well," Jones said.

"When you're in the public eye like that, yes you have freedom of speech but think about what you're telling to people," he added about Coulter.

An estimated 400 tickets — free for students, $10 for non-students — are available for Coulter's Calgary speech, but organizers won't say how many have been sold.

"This is Calgary," said prominent local Conservative Craig Chandler. "We are conservatives and we actually tolerate free speech."