The University of Alberta’s recent decision to place law professor Florence Ashley on an involuntary, non-disciplinary leave following comments made on social media is deeply troubling. It marks not only a serious breach of academic freedom at one of Canada’s leading universities, but it is also a broader warning about the state of free expression in our democracy.

Here’s what happened — and why the university’s response puts academic freedom at risk on campuses across Canada.

Following the tragic killing of American Charlie Kirk while he was speaking on a university campus, Prof. Ashley posted on Bluesky criticizing a New York Times article that, in their view, appeared to sanitize Kirk’s controversial legacy. Drawing on a well-known meme, they underscored the dangers of praising the “v

See Full Page