FREE SPEECH WIN IN CANADA
By Harmony Grant
9 July 08
The Canadian Human Rights Commission just did something it never
did before—it dismissed
a hate speech complaint.
On June 27, CHRC dismissed the complaint against Maclean’s magazine,
which was accused of anti-Muslim hate speech. The Muslims’ disappointed
lawyer said the defeat was not a surprise. He cited “inappropriate
political pressure” and a political climate where hate speech
laws and commissions are themselves under attack. One word comes to
mind at this point…yahoo!
Think about it. The commission had convicted everyone else ever hauled
before them. It exists to prosecute and punish “hate speech” and “hate
crimes,” to doggedly track down the politically incorrect and
their “hurtful” bias. Yet, CHRC had to throw out this case,
and it wasn’t even a surprise. It was expected because “the
international controversy sparked by this case has prompted many in
Canada to question the very basis of the so-called “hate speech” laws,” as
a columnist
put it.
This event is a break in the wall. It offers incredible hope. Canada’s
speech police, for the first time ever, dismissed a complaint because
of pressure against hate laws. This pressure threatens to fracture
the entire foundation of these freedom-stealing, politically based
laws. Could America’s northern neighbor return to fair English
law and throw out hate speech laws and tribunals? Stranger things have
happened. We just celebrated July 4, an independence won by the sacrificial
heroism of a patriotic minority. If enough Canadians and Americans
care about saving freedom, this battle could be won.
Canada’s National
Post reported
June 18 that the besieged CHRC was going to review itself
and its speech-punishing ways, particularly how it reviews internet “hate.”
The Post said the commission has been the focus of “a divisive
national debate.” People are realizing you can’t punish “hurtful
words” without destroying freedom of speech, fundamental to democracy.
We’ve been praying for this. “Anti-hate” laws are
advanced with the argument that people should be protected from discrimination
and hurtful speech. But you can’t remove those things from society
without removing liberty, too. The government must police citizens’ behaviors,
words, and ultimately our thoughts. This turns into insane, scary tyranny
very fast. (Example: It’s absurd that a government agency in
the UK is saying toddlers
should be rebuked for racism if they turn
down spicy food or call each other names.
But you could laugh only if it weren’t real. This tyranny of
government is just one of the mind-boggling results of empowering people
in office to decide what other people are allowed to say, think, feel,
or believe.)
Canadian MP Keith Martin, a liberal lover of free speech, introduced
a measure in February to completely repeal Canada’s hate speech
law (Sec. 13(1) of the Human Rights Act). A Post article
in early June reported that nine MPs had publicly criticized the
CHRC and one introduced a motion calling for its review.
Post said outrage at the hate speech tribunals “has come from
across the political spectrum -- from white supremacists on the far
right to the Canadian Civil Liberties Association on the left.” The
article explains that current “anti-hate” law in Canada
allow for convictions even if the “criminal” didn’t
intend to spread hatred and even if his or her speech was perfectly
true! This is outrageous.
Even as early as May, the outcry against hate laws was so strong that
the Canadian Jewish Congress, “a leading advocate of powerful
anti-hate laws” in Canada, told the Post it
might support changes
to Canada’s hate law.
The Post staunchly defends free speech and calls for Sec. 13(1) to
be completely repealed. It says, “Christians don't get a veto
on words or images that blaspheme God and his prophets. The same must
be true of Islam -- not to mention Judaism, Hinduism and every other
faith. No matter what your faith, the trade-off for living in a society
that honours free speech is the requirement to grow a thick skin.”
Harmony Grant writes and edits for National Prayer Network, a Christian/conservative
watchdog group.
Let the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith teach you how they
have saddled 45 states with hate laws capable of persecuting Christians: http://www.adl.org/99hatecrime/intro.asp.
Learn how ADL took away free speech in Canada and wants to steal
it now in the U.S. Congress. Watch Rev. Ted Pike's Hate
Laws: Making Criminals of Christians at video.google.com. Purchase
this gripping documentary to show at church. Order online at www.truthtellers.org for
$24.90, DVD or VHS, by calling 503-853-3688, or at the address below.
TALK SHOW HOSTS: Interview Rev. Ted Pike on this
topic. Call (503) 631-3808.
National Prayer Network, P.O. Box 828, Clackamas,
OR 97015
