CP FILE PHOTO
Medicine Hat College is hosting the Alberta Independence Tour put on by the alternative media outlet Rebel News on Feb. 27. It's an event that presents the case for Alberta separatism and has drawn criticism from Hatters.
zmason@medicinehatnews.com
An upcoming event presenting the case for Alberta separatism will be held on the local college campus.
Medicine Hat College is hosting the Alberta Independence Tour put on by the alternative media outlet Rebel News on Feb. 27.
“For years, Alberta has been told to just sit down, shut up and pay the bill,” said Rebel News Alberta bureau chief Sheila Gunn Reid in a video promoting the tour.
Reid describes the tour as a series of events focused on the province’s future, rights and place “in, or better yet, out” of confederation.
The college has received significant backlash from Hatters who regard the use of its facilities to host the event as inappropriate.
“Rebel News has been widely criticized for content and conduct that many consider to promote divisive ideologies, misinformation, and inflammatory rhetoric, particularly toward Muslim communities and immigrants,” said Betty Aitken in an email to Medicine Hat College president Kevin Shufflebotham shared with the News. “I do not believe these positions align with the values or mandate of Medicine Hat College.”
The college says any member of the public can book a space on campus, and that they cannot approve or deny access based solely on the viewpoints of an individual or organization.
“Allowing a group to rent space does not indicate the college’s endorsement of its perspectives. It reflects our obligation to apply our policies consistently and maintain institutional neutrality,” reads a statement to the News on Tuesday.
“We recognize that events of this nature can raise concerns, and we will continue to support our campus community while upholding our responsibilities as a public institution.”
The college policy for facility bookings includes a stipulation that provides it the right to refuse to rent to organizations or groups that “are not consistent with MHC’s mandate or values.”
A spokesperson for the college says that stipulation is not being triggered in this case.
“The college reserves the right to decline bookings in circumstances where an event would promote discrimination or hate, or where the safety of our campus community is at risk,” read their statement. “In this case, after reviewing the request through our standard process, the booking met the requirements of our policies.”
An independent cinema in Lethbridge was originally listed as the venue for the tour’s stop on Feb. 28. The cinema has since cancelled the booking.
The owners and operators of the theatre told Lethbridge News Now on Tuesday the booking was accepted through an automated process which does not screen events based on political or ideological viewpoints.
They told Lethbridge News Now that the decision to cancel was based on a responsibility to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for staff, guests and families, “particularly given that many of our employees are young people and students.”
The tour begins Feb. 17 in Mirror and works its way across the province over the following three weeks, concluding in Grande Prairie on Mar. 6.
Featured speakers at the event include Reid, Western Standard columnist Cory Morgan and Freedom Convoy leader Tamara Lich.
The event advertises live presentations from each speaker, a moderated panel discussion, an audience Q&A and books and merchandise available for purchase and signing.
