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Controversial Coulter cancelled at Ottawa

The University of Ottawa has officially shut-up Ann Coulter.

At 7:50 the night Coulter was scheduled to speak the event was cancelled by the organizers themselves.

Coulter, an author and political commentator, has gained a reputation for her outspoken conservative viewpoints.

Ottawa was set to be Coulter’s second stop on her Canada tour, where she was speaking at three universities, including Western, Ottawa and Calgary, discussing political correctness, media bias and freedom of speech.

Coulter spoke at Western Monday, resulting in outcries from the public in the forms of hoax e-mails as well as Twitter and Facebook updates.

U of O’s official statement noted they did not at any time oppose Coulter’s appearance and the university has always promoted and defended freedom of expression.

“Freedom of expression is a core value that the University of Ottawa has always promoted,” Allan Rock, U of O president and vice-chancellor, said. “We have a long history of hosting contentious and controversial speakers on our campus. Last night was no exception, as people gathered here to listen to and debate Ann Coulter’s opinions.”

A press release from the University of Ottawa stated that approximately one thousand people peacefully gathered at the event location.

“I encourage our students, faculty and other members of our community to maintain our university as an open forum for diverse opinions. Ours is a safe and democratic environment for the expression of views, and we will keep it that way,” Rock said.

Coulter’s website — Coulter in Canada — cited the cancellation as an example of “free speech suppressed.” U of O said they would issue no further comments on the subject.

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