Free speech returns to Canada

Catholic Civil Rights League applauds vote to repeal controversial Section 13

Tom Littlemore / Library of Parliament.

Canadians can now speak more freely with the repeal of Section 13 from the Canadian Human Right Act. The move was praised the Catholic Civil Rights League. CCN's Deborah Gyapong reports:

MP Brian Storseth’s private member’s Bill C-304 now moves to the Senate where it will be shepherded through by Conservative Senator Doug Finley. “He’s been a strong advocate for free speech for a long time,” Storseth said. “I’m hoping it’s going to have strong support in the Senate.”

He noted the House of Commons passed the bill by a strong majority at every stage in the process. The bill’s passage by the House “sends a strong signal” to anyone who might think of charging someone with a hate crime under Section 13.

“Human rights tribunals are not the appropriate forum for testing claims of hate speech,” said League Executive Director Joanne McGarry. “Criminal Code provisions regarding hate speech, libel and slander laws help ensure that complainant and defendant are on a level playing field with respect to costs, and that rules of evidence and procedure are followed.”

Read the full story The B.C. Catholic website.