U.S. pundit Coulter's Ottawa visit draws fire
Last Updated: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 | 4:18 PM ET
CBC News
Conservative author Ann Coulter is scheduled to speak Tuesday night at the University of Ottawa. (Jose Luis Magana/Associated Press)American conservative Ann Coulter's three-day Canadian university tour has drawn the University of Ottawa into a debate over the limits of free speech.
Coulter, a political commentator and author best known for taking controversial stances, is scheduled to speak at Marion Hall at the University of Ottawa on Tuesday.
Among Coulter's more contentious assertions is that the U.S. should invade Muslim countries and convert their people to Christianity. She has also suggested Canada is lucky the U.S. allows it "to exist on the same continent."
The University of Ottawa's student federation wants the administration to keep Coulter off campus, arguing she crosses the line between what is and isn't acceptable.
Coulter warned to 'weigh words'
"A university environment needs to be a place where we can have a free discussion of ideas," said Seamus Wolfe, president of the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa.
"A university campus should not be the kind of place where we simply use that type of language to condone hate speech."
Wolfe wants the university to move the event to another location.
University administrators could not be reached for comment. However, the National Post says François Houle, the university's vice-president academic and provost, wrote a letter to Coulter, warning her "to weigh your words with respect and civility in mind."
Houle in his letter warned Coulter that "promoting hatred against any identifiable group would not only be considered inappropriate, but could in fact lead to criminal charges."
'They are trying to shut her up'
Canadian conservative activist Ezra Levant says the student federation's attempt to muzzle Coulter is "fascist" and goes against the spirit of academic freedom.
"To have a public institution turned into a private club where the only [people] allowed to speak are allowed to meet the very narrow approval of some student politician … that's gross," said Levant, who is introducing Coulter at her three visits.
"They seem to be for diversity in every sense except for intellectual diversity. They just can't debate Ann Coulter, so they are trying to shut her up."
One of the groups organizing Coulter's Canadian tour, the International Free Press Society Canada, says it's committed to exposing people to what it calls "a diversity of views."
American right-wing antagonist Ann Coulter spoke to about 800 people at the University of Western Ontario in London Monday night.
Coulter is also scheduled to speak at the University of Calgary on Wednesday.
Share Tools
Latest Ottawa News Headlines
- Federal Court won't remove MPs over robocall allegations
- The Federal Court says it won't throw six MPs out of their seats over allegations of widespread vote suppression through automated robocalls in the 2011 federal election. But Judge Richard Mosley did find that fraud occurred in the election. more »
- Finding inspiration for the Sens
- Even Ottawa Senators team captain Daniel Alfredsson was not optimistic about the team's chances of taking the series, but former Olympian Elizabeth Manley still has faith. more »
- Orleans man dies from stabbing injuries
- An Ottawa man who was stabbed at his home in Orleans has died in hospital, according to his family. more »
- Alleged Ford crack video seller not responding to calls
- The journalist who broke the story alleging Toronto Mayor Rob Ford was recorded on video smoking crack cocaine says he may never be able to get his hands on the evidence. more »
Must Watch
Top News Headlines
- Federal Court won't remove MPs over robocall allegations
- The Federal Court says it won't throw six MPs out of their seats over allegations of widespread vote suppression through automated robocalls in the 2011 federal election. But Judge Richard Mosley did find that fraud occurred in the election. more »
- Duffy says he wants to give Canadians 'the whole story'
- Senator Mike Duffy says he wants a "full and open" inquiry so Canadians can get all the facts about the scandal that has rocked the Senate and the Prime Minister's Office and that he has no plans to resign. more »
- Alleged Ford crack video seller not responding to calls
- The journalist who broke the story alleging Toronto Mayor Rob Ford was recorded on video smoking crack cocaine says he may never be able to get his hands on the evidence. more »
- 3 injured in Washington state bridge collapse
- A Washington state bridge over a river collapsed Thursday evening, dumping two vehicles into the water and sparking a rescue effort by boats and divers who searched the chilly waterway north of Seattle. more »
Most Viewed/Commented
- Hutt changed story, said he flung hot water at wife accidentally
- Finding inspiration for the Sens
- The Ottawa Senators love their dogs
- Orleans man dies from stabbing injuries
- Fire destroys 100-year-old barn near Kemptville, Ont.
- Woman pleads for help after daughter kidnapped in Haiti
- 2 earthquakes felt in Ontario and Quebec
- Alleged Ford crack video seller not responding to calls
- Federal Court won't remove MPs over robocall allegations

