Ricardo Acuña joins the CFE Advisory Board

Ricardo Acuña, executive director of the Parkland Institute at the University of Alberta, is joining the Centre for Free Expression's (CFE) Advisory Board.

"Ricardo brings an impressive record of achievement, having served as executive director of the Parkland Institute since 2001," said James L. Turk, director of the Centre for Free Expression. "The Parkland Institute's research into strengthening democracy fits nicely with the work of CFE, which has partnered with Parkland in the past. Its work with researchers and community organizations led by Indigenous, Black, people of colour, youth and LGBTQ2S communities to explore barriers to democratic engagement is especially relevant to CFE's mission."

Ricardo has many years of experience as a volunteer, staffer and consultant for various non-government and non-profit organizations at the local, national, and international levels. He has spoken and written extensively on democracy, energy and fiscal policy, privatization, and the public interest, and is a regular media commentator on public policy issues. He is co-editor, with Trevor Harrison, of the 2023 book Anger and Angst: Jason Kenney's Legacy and Alberta's Right .

Headquartered at Toronto Metropolitan University, the Centre for Free Expression works to ensure that the rights to freedom of expression, informed civic engagement, individual self-development, and social justice are a reality for all. The Centre pursues this mission through public education, advocacy, research, law reform, advisory services, policy analysis, court assistance, and organizational collaborations.