Alberta has introduced legislation to restrict post-secondary schools from being able to publicly weigh in on social and political issues.
Advanced Education Minister Myles McDougall says schools could still make official expressions of sympathy, and that the bill, should it pass, would not restrict the rights of staffers to make personal statements.
But he says the schools themselves should not be taking stands on political issues, such as the ongoing Israeli military action in Gaza.
The bill also grants the government authority to review university policy to ensure schools are complying.
And it would give the minister the power to set maximum tuition amounts.
McDougall says post-secondary schools need to be a neutral environment with space for diverse opinions.
“Underlying some tragedies there can be some political issues, and what we’re saying is that’s not the role for the institution,” McDougall told reporters Tuesday prior to introducing the bill.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 3, 2026.
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