Like many across the province, I was incredibly troubled by the images of protestors being removed from the University of Calgary and then the University of Alberta.
For most of us, university is a time of self-exploration, learning new ideas, thinking new thoughts — and deciding who we are and what kind of world we want to create. The right to free expression — to think those thoughts, to speak them out loud, to debate, to be challenged and to challenge others, to ask questions of authority, and to wonder whether there isn’t a better way — this is how we learn. It is the best part of who we are and who we become; it breeds compassion and deep thinking about the world around us.
I am someone who follows the rules; I always have been. But I am also someone who asks questions, a lot of questions — just ask my mom, she can tell you stories. At university, I got to work through those two identities and find the balance. I was allowed to explore ideas and find where I fit. I want my daughter to have the same opportunities I did.
I understand that the world is different than it was, and I understand that there are rules — but this is something we absolutely cannot lose. Those first experiences, questioning the way the world is, trying out different ideas, deciding who we are and what we want to change — those are what create the changemakers, what makes progress, what builds a better world. If we lose that, we lose the best part of ourselves, we lose the very soul of our democracy.
The public is owed an explanation, and it has to be better than citing private property. People are allowed to hold border crossings hostage and cause traffic accidents on the highway in the name of supposed freedom, but an encampment poses such a significant risk to public safety as to violently override campus protests?
I fully understand that the police often have more information than the public, and they may not be able to release it. However, this appears to be a disproportionate response.
What happened over the weekend does nothing to help with the rise of antisemitism and Islamophobia on Alberta campuses.
Given all of this, I am calling for a comprehensive and independent investigation into the handling of the incidents at both Alberta universities. We need a full accounting to ensure our educational institutions remain places of open dialogue and safe havens for dissent.
These can be difficult conversations to navigate, but our children are watching us. They are learning whether and when it is OK to question the status quo.
We owe them better.