The university is the latest Canadian post-secondary institution to put a professor on leave following Kirk's death. Last week, the University of Toronto announced it put a religion and political science professor on leave after she shared what the institution called concerning reactions to Kirk's killing. Echoes from Kirk's death have been heard on schoolyards for youth in Ontario as well. James Turk, director of the Centre for Free Expression at Toronto Metropolitan University, said ripple effects have been felt in Canada because Kirk's views resonated with some Canadians. He said those divisive debates have spilled into Canada and that's why the University of Alberta faced safety concerns.