FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

CALGARY —  A short report released today by the Aristotle Foundation for Public Policy reveals how Canadian universities selectively use trespass laws to silence those who challenge mainstream academic opinions.

Authored by Aristotle Foundation senior fellow Joseph Quesnel, No Trespassing? Overcoming the tension between free speech and campus safety calls for action that ends this double standard and ensures that diverse and even unpopular viewpoints can be heard on our publicly funded university campuses.

Key Quotes

• “Canadian courts consistently recognize universities’ authority to bar individuals from campus through trespass powers. In other words, a publicly funded space is not necessarily a publicly accessible space.”
• “There is a structural problem in how universities apply the rules. Canadian universities do not reflect a broad ideological mix—studies show a pronounced ideological tilt in the academy. Across North America, radical activists increasingly shape campus norms.”
• “University leaders operate within campus culture marked by ideological pressures. In such settings, officials may wield trespass powers more aggressively against speakers who challenge the dominant viewpoint.” 
• “At minimum, the public should require universities to apply transparent criteria when excluding individuals. Universities should adopt objective definitions of safety and apply them through processes insulated, as much as possible, from prevailing ideological pressures. If institutions fail to do so, the responsibility shifts to lawmakers.” 

“Constraining university discretion in these ways does not strip institutions of the ability to protect their communities,” Quesnel concludes. “It restores a healthier balance. Canada should strive for universities that provide safe campuses, while respecting freedom of expression without ideological favour.”
 

The full report is available at aristotlefoundation.org. 

To arrange for an author interview, note the contact below.

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Media Contact:
Cathy Simpson 
Outreach and Engagement Officer, Aristotle Foundation
cathys@aristotlefoundation.org | 905-329-3548