A graduate of the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Law is taking his alma mater to court, saying school officials punished him for honest talk about race on campus.Tim Haggstrom, now a practicing lawyer, filed an application for judicial review in Court of King’s Bench on April 25. A first scheduling hearing is set for May 27. His lawsuit, backed by the advocacy group Freedoms Advocate, argues the university’s harassment policy breaches the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and that earlier findings of non‑academic misconduct violated his liberty to speak and think freely.The case traces back to March 7, 2022, when Haggstrom, then in his final year, read an open letter to classmates and later posted the text on a Facebook page. .In it, Haggstrom pointed out growing tension over race and racism and encouraged “open conversation” on difficult subjects, including a debate about exam accommodations for students who self‑identify as indigenous.Soon after, a complaint labelled the letter one of “numerous attempts to spread hate,” calling Haggstrom’s views “racist” and “unsettling.” The university required him to issue a public apology, but he refused, maintaining his comments were neutral and meant to foster dialogue. An internal appeal upheld the sanction..“I continue to believe that was the better path, and I am glad I spoke up about it,” said Haggstrom in a statement.“This legal case raises important questions about exposing oneself to diverse viewpoints, following one's conscience, and expressing minority perspectives to others. It is about the university experience and what it means to live in a free and democratic society.”His court filing claims the institution’s response infringed freedoms of expression, conscience, and belief. It also challenges the university’s harassment rules as overly broad and unconstitutional.The University of Saskatchewan declined to comment, citing the pending litigation. No statement of defence has yet been filed.
A graduate of the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Law is taking his alma mater to court, saying school officials punished him for honest talk about race on campus.Tim Haggstrom, now a practicing lawyer, filed an application for judicial review in Court of King’s Bench on April 25. A first scheduling hearing is set for May 27. His lawsuit, backed by the advocacy group Freedoms Advocate, argues the university’s harassment policy breaches the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and that earlier findings of non‑academic misconduct violated his liberty to speak and think freely.The case traces back to March 7, 2022, when Haggstrom, then in his final year, read an open letter to classmates and later posted the text on a Facebook page. .In it, Haggstrom pointed out growing tension over race and racism and encouraged “open conversation” on difficult subjects, including a debate about exam accommodations for students who self‑identify as indigenous.Soon after, a complaint labelled the letter one of “numerous attempts to spread hate,” calling Haggstrom’s views “racist” and “unsettling.” The university required him to issue a public apology, but he refused, maintaining his comments were neutral and meant to foster dialogue. An internal appeal upheld the sanction..“I continue to believe that was the better path, and I am glad I spoke up about it,” said Haggstrom in a statement.“This legal case raises important questions about exposing oneself to diverse viewpoints, following one's conscience, and expressing minority perspectives to others. It is about the university experience and what it means to live in a free and democratic society.”His court filing claims the institution’s response infringed freedoms of expression, conscience, and belief. It also challenges the university’s harassment rules as overly broad and unconstitutional.The University of Saskatchewan declined to comment, citing the pending litigation. No statement of defence has yet been filed.
