Isn't That Telling!

Canada has received an international and much-deserved slap in our freedom-of-speech pretensions. And how could this be? After all, we are so righteously proud of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms which in fact, guarantee those rights. In fact, under "Fundamental Freedoms", we read: "Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms: a) freedom of conscience and religion; b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication; c) freedom of peaceful assembly, and d) freedom of association."

Guess that pretty well covers it. We've got freedom of expression, of thought, of communication. We've also got some pretty good laws in place that protect against the promulgation of hate, of hate-mongering, of incitement to hate. So that should produce a fair balance, one would think. Oops, we've also got our human rights tribunals; a federal one, and provincial human rights commissions. They sit in debate on matters purporting to spread hate, brought to their attention by aggrieved groups or individuals.

And occasionally they issue condemnations against groups or individuals whom they conclude have, in their considered opinion, spread hate in society, or caused suffering to certain minority groups. Overlooking the fact in their great and good wisdom that there are existing laws to protect against such ethical and moral lapses leading to societal infractions. Overlooking too their original and anticipated function; to protect minorities against discrimination in seeking jobs or housing.

Several high-profile cases brought against writers, editors or publications relating to issues such as religious debate, homosexuality, or terrorism have brought their function to the public eye and have resulted in a huge debate. A discussion has ensued whether they should in fact be debating those issues. A debate that has obviously had repercussions beyond Canada's borders. Others concerned with free speech and debate in the public fora have taken notice.

To the extent that a group of American academics involved in political thought have taken steps to ensure that a representative body of which they are members - the American Political Science Association - bypass having their next annual meeting in Toronto in 2009. For fear of running afoul of Canadian law. Or, more likely, the various Canadian human rights commissions, and their meddling penchant for misrepresenting the freedoms of Canadians to express their personal opinions.

The concerned group considers it "unseemly" for their association to "turn a blind eye to [Canadian] attacks on freedom of speech" and find it "unacceptable to risk exposing its own members to them." They write, moreover that "Our belief is that the APSA should choose its sites carefully, with particular regard for questions of freedom of speech and conscience. We therefore believe Canada to be a problematic destination."

So do we. Unfortunately.