Frances Widdowson sues University of Lethbridge for $3M

Former professor Frances Widdowson has filed a $3 million defamation lawsuit against the University of Lethbridge. The claim alleges the institution used its power to intimidate her by accusing her of spreading hate, disinformation, and false information.

Widdowson specifically cites a university notice regarding a sacred smudging ceremony intended to “cleanse” the campus of the “negative energy” brought by her presence, arguing this characterized her as a source of spiritual contamination. The lawsuit names university governors and President Digvir Jayas among the defendants.

The legal action follows a recent ruling from the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta, which found the university’s 2023 decision to ban Widdowson from leading a lecture on academic freedom was unlawful.

In a separate recent incident, Widdowson was arrested under the Trespass Act at the University of Victoria after appearing at a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation gathering to question claims regarding unmarked graves at former residential school sites. She has faced multiple previous arrests for trespassing at various Canadian university campuses.