Hundreds show up to protest Widdowson’s presence at U of L, again

By Lethbridge Herald on February 6, 2026.

Herald FIle photo Former Mount Royal University professor Frances Widdowson takes part in a discussion on February 2023, while surrounded by some of the hundreds of students and community members who opposed her visit. A protest was held on Wednesday again at the U of L over her presence.

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman

Lethbridge Herald

On Wednesday hundreds gathered at the University of Lethbridge atrium, to protest the presence of former Mount Royal University professor Francis Widdowson, who had previously been protested against in February 2023, also on a Wednesday afternoon. 

This time around members of Lethbridge Police were present working alongside Campus Safety to keep all in attendance safe. 

The University of Lethbridge shared a release about the incident stating that at approximately 11 a.m., an individual (Widdowson), who has recently caused significant disruption at other Canadian universities, began engaging members of the University of Lethbridge community in a public space on our Lethbridge campus.

“Throughout the day, the safety and well-being of those on our campus was our top priority. Campus Safety, in coordination with Lethbridge Police Service, implemented measures to keep all those in attendance safe throughout the afternoon.”

The University shared that the disruption utilized significant university and community resources and when it became clear the interactions had no defined end and that continuing to deploy resources in this manner was not sustainable, the University issued a trespass notice to the individual (Widdowson) at approximately 5:15 p.m.

“Universities are places where controversial ideas should be examined and critiqued through rigorous, evidence-based inquiry. In this instance, the University provided room for those in attendance to express their viewpoints and for those viewpoints to be contested.”

The University has communicated about this event directly with students, faculty and employees. And they will continue to do so in the days and weeks ahead.

In 2023, Widdowson was uninvited by the university for a public speaking engagement following outcry over her controversial views on the residential school system, but she decided to show up anyway. 

When Widdowson entered the atrium, she was received by loud boos of disapproval. Many people were wearing orange shirts, holding signs and shouting. 

In 2023, Chief Safety Officer Doug Mackie announced to those in attendance that Widdowson had agree to leave, as long as they made room for her to walk away, this year she was escorted out by Lethbridge Police. 

As of the time of publication, charges have not been laid but the investigation was ongoing.