by Sarah Delsey – Client Services Executive

Over the past few days, Ann Coulter’s speeches in Ottawa (or her non-speech rather) and Calgary have become headline news.  Her speech in Ottawa was of course, cancelled due to safety reasons, as about 2, 000 protesters created an environment that was so hostile that the police were afraid someone would be physically hurt.

I’ve been with Speakers’ Spotlight almost four years, and during that time I’ve seen and booked many speakers.  Some who have been great speakers (engaging, interesting, funny, dynamic) but whom I haven’t necessarily agreed with.  However, I feel like I’ve learned, and perhaps even become more convicted in my standpoint by considering the opposing argument.  Never have I felt that it has been a waste of time, or even (as what happened in Ottawa) that the speaker should not be allowed to present their opinions, because I don’t agree with what they have to say.  I thought we lived in Canada.  A democracy where we listen and learn from each other, where we have the freedom to express our viewpoints without fear of reprisal.  As someone who deals with free speech for a living, I find it disheartening to hear that speakers are being censored, and it makes me wonder if this will become a trend in Canada.

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Tags: Ann Coulter, censorship, democratic freedom, Ezra Levant, free speech, threats, University of Ottawa