Conservative MP calls cancellation of his campus event an attack on free speech

Alberta Conservative MP Garnett Genuis says he was denied permission to hold an event on York University’s campus on Friday.

“I have disappointing news to share about further attacks on free speech,” said Genuis in a post on X Thursday announcing the event was cancelled.

But the York University Student Centre says its decision was “not politically motivated in any way” and the event simply didn’t meet its requirements.

Genuis has been touring university campuses, where he’s been striking up conversations with students about youth unemployment and affordability issues.

He says he’s held these events at tables in public spaces, rather than in a separate room, in order to reach more people — and York is the only campus that told him the event had to be in a closed room.

Genuis invited “York students who want to talk about jobs and unemployment” to contact his office.

The student centre’s executive director says Genuis is welcome to reapply to hold his event at any time, as long as it meets its requirements.

Article source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/garnett-genius-york-university-9.7038377?cmp=rss