
Episode 131: Did ARRESTING Professor Widdowson violate the Charter? Plus, N.S. BANS naming kid who die in care.
From Not Reserving Judgment by Canadian Constitution Foundation
April 29, 2026 · 29 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the implications of a professor's banishment on freedom of expression and a law in Nova Scotia regarding the naming of children who died in care.
In Episode 131, we discuss whether the University of Lethbridge's banishment of Professor Frances Widdowson violated the right to freedom of expression, and we tell you about a Nova Scotia law that bans naming kids who died in care. Plus, our Bad Legal Takes of the Week. Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode: Bill that shields identity of children in care even after death receives royal assent (CBC News) FAQ on Free Speech in Canada (TheCCF.ca) Response to Media (University of Lethbridge) Cancelling talk breached Charter freedoms, controversial academic argues in court (CBC News) Disrobing the Aboriginal Stalinists on a Canadian Campus (Minding the Campus) Into Wokism’s Raging Maw: Frances Widdowson at the University of Lethbridge (C2C Journal) Disrobing the Aboriginal Industry (McGill University Press) Not Reserving Judgment is a podcast about Canadian constitutional law hosted by Josh Dehaas, Joanna Baron, and Christine Van Geyn, with help from Alexander Surgenor. The show is brought to you by the Canadian Constitution Foundation, a non-partisan legal charity dedicated to defending rights and freedoms. To support our work, visit theccf.ca/donate.
People in this episode
Hosts: Josh Dehaas, Joanna Baron, Christine Van Geyn
Topics covered
- freedom of expression
- Nova Scotia law
- children in care
- legal commentary
- academic freedom
Keywords
- freedom of expression
- Nova Scotia law
- Professor Widdowson
- children in care
- Canadian Constitution Foundation
Sponsors
Canadian Constitution Foundation
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: University of Lethbridge, CBC News, TheCCF.ca, Minding the Campus, C2C Journal, McGill University Press
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