Monday, October 06, 2008

The Leaders On Section 13

The Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee has managed to get statements from three of the five federal political leaders on a question that matters a great deal to Western Standard readers, and supporters of freedom of expression in general. Just what is their stance on section 13.1 of the Canadian Human Rights Act? It is this section of the CHRA that has led to tribunal hearings against Maclean's and our former publisher Ezra Levant.

The question was asked in French, and what follows is a Babelfish translation, which is far from perfect. You can read the original documents by following this link. If someone has a proper French translation, please send it to us.

What follows is pretty garbled, but it sounds like E. May, S. Dion, and G. Duceppe are pro-section 13. Dion may even be saying that he wants the provision strengthened, but I wouldn't swear to that.

It doesn't surprise me that Harper gives no response. Question: Whats the best way to tell your most fervent supporters to go fuck themselves? Answer: Don't tell them anything! Let them infer it from your silence!

7 comments:

Warren K said...

Ezra isn't in the Tory war room because they disagree with his views on human rights and Muslims, I presume.

Andy Lehrer said...

Ezra is in the Tory war room in order to keep him under control during the campaign. As LBJ used to sayv "It’s probably better to have him inside the tent pissing out, than outside the tent pissing in."

Ti-Guy said...

I love how "warren k" builds in libel-proofing with his selection of blogger pseudonyms.

Way to go, nasty boy!

Anonymous said...

One thing about this whole Section 13 fiasco that has yet to be noted; back in the 1980s and 90s we were inundated with far right hate. We saw it in the form of hate rock concerts, telephone hate lines, and later internet hate sites.

Once the authorities began to apply our hate laws these hateful acts ceased. Gone are the Heritage Front and Zundel and George Burdi and many others.

This is not to say that laws sometimes need adjustments to ensure they do not encroach upon our liberties. But to me the proof has been in the eating of the pudding. Canada has become a better place thanks to our anti-hate laws.

Unknown said...

". . . back in the 1980s and 90s we were inundated with far right hate."

Which country were you living in back then? Sure wasn't Canada.

Your post highlights how the left is completely out of touch on the issue of hate.

The real hate crime in Canada in the 1980's was Air India Flight 182. Canadian terrorists killing Canadians and it elicited a collective yawn from the left.

And on the most recent threat in Canada, the plot to behead our Prime Minister, the left remains blissfully silent.

But Ezra and Steyn? Oh yeah, go get 'em lefties!

Unknown said...

LOL ti. How many posts have you seen on this website related to Ezra and Steyn? And how many about the Toronto 18?

For real threats in Canada, Section 13 is absolutely useless.

Ti-Guy said...

Go tend to your garden, Mary.