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Keyano College affirms freedom of expression principles

Keyano College pledged its support for free expression on their campus.

In a statement, the province applauded the college’s Board of Governors for supporting the Chicago Statement on Free Expression.

The board voted unanimously in favour of the 2014 statement on July 11, 2019.

“The Keyano College Board of Governors is showing strong leadership by adopting the Chicago principles that will ensure freedom of expression across all its campuses in the Region of Wood Buffalo.” Said the Minister of Advanced Education Free, Demetrios Nicolaides.

Nicolaides said he’s happy to work with post-secondary institutions like Keyano College to fulfil the commitment.

He also added schools must remain places of free-thinking and dialogue, where students may engage in true discovery.

“Free speech is not only at the heart of the academic experience but it is also an essential pillar of democracy.”

First Vice-chair of the Board of Governors, Brent Davis said institutions shouldn’t shield their students from particular ideas.

“Citizens have the right to pronounce their opinions, morals, ethics and world views within the limits of Canadian law. At the same time, people have the right to criticize and question other views expressed on campus, within the same limits.”

The University of Chicago wrote the Statement on Free Expression in 2014.

This statement followed a string of nationwide student-led movements against controversial commencement speeches.