Letter: Is it freedom of speech to allow a group supporting separation to hold event at MHC Theatre?

By Letter to the Editor on February 17, 2026.

Dear editor,

Is there a line our value system does not want crossed when it comes to freedom of speech? The present feeling is anyone can say anything about anybody because that is freedom of speech. Well, I’m sorry to report it isn’t quite that way.

There are libel laws preventing me from calling my neighbour a dumbass without any proof. There are hate laws stopping people publicly calling down ethnic groups.

So, it comes down to this. Is it freedom of speech to allow a group that supports separating Alberta from Canada to hold an information session at the Medicine Hat College Theatre?

That building and that institution is funded by taxpayer dollars. Would this group be allowed to hold the same session in a school? In a church?

A privately owned building in Lethbridge recently did not allow this group to come into their theatre. Was the decision to allow this group to rent the theatre based on financial gain alone, or was consideration given to them because of freedom of speech?

Ironically, federal courts have upheld the ruling that Rebel News, the sponsor of this meeting, is not really a news medium. Whether you are in favour of their message is not a matter of freedom of speech because what they are saying is their opinion, as crazy as it may sound.

The point is, is it right to allow this kind of misinformation, disinformation and probable lies to be spewed out in a learning institution funded by taxpayers rather than on social media, which seems to relish in this stuff?

Perhaps the board of directors of the college should look deeply into this and decide if this is a good idea.

Tom Rooke

Medicine Hat

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