UBC cancels talk featuring speaker who calls residential school graves a 'hoax'

The University of British Columbia has cancelled a talk on its campus that would have featured a speaker whose recent film refers to the discovery of unmarked graves at residential schools in B.C. and elsewhere as a 'hoax.'

The University of British Columbia has cancelled a talk on its campus that would have featured a speaker whose recent film refers to the discovery of unmarked graves at residential schools in B.C. and elsewhere as a "hoax."

In a brief statement announcing the cancellation Friday, the university did not describe the topic of the event or the speakers who were scheduled to participate, referring only to the group that had organized it.

"This week, senior university staff were made aware of a Nov. 17 talk on campus that was booked by the UBC Students for Freedom of Expression," said Peter Smailes, vice-president of finance and operations for UBC, in the statement.

"To be clear, this was not an event sponsored by anyone at the University of British Columbia. The host of the event is an external group that is not endorsed by UBC."

Smailes said the university had reviewed the event and determined that it should not proceed.

"Although the university does and will continue to support academic freedom ... We believe proceeding with this event would adversely affect campus and community safety," he said.

In an open letter to the university posted on the group's Facebook page, UBC Students for Freedom of Expression vice-president Tate Kaufman criticized the university's decision.