Free Speech in Canada

This morning one of my nieces posted the following to Facebook:

"I now have a pretty large list of states I will never drive through or visit. Terrifying how many people have voted for this man."

This comment was made to reflect her "opinion" on the just completed presidential election in the US. Personally it disappointed me in several ways. First is how she, without considering the ramifications, insulted everyone south of the border who voted for Donald Trump. And a lot did! From the overall numbers he had support from just about every demographic including women and blacks. He identified issues that resonated with many across that nation. The main fallout though from this election was that both sides strove to insult the other and somehow make themselves appear superior. That kind of attitude I would like to think we as Canadians are above but obviously that is not the case.

The next is how do we rate that we can stand on our high horse and ridicule our neighbours when in actual fact we had no input into that election? None of us, or at least no Canadian who doesn't have dual citizenship, could vote so why should we insult those who made their own choice? I made a response to that post pointing out this fact.

So another niece added to the fray and cited free speech, again without considering the ramifications. As far as she is concerned it is alright to insult others as that is what free speech allows. But legally one cannot slander, we cannot incite hate, nor, under the Human Rights Code, can we offend and it is getting worse. Take for example Professor Jordan Peterson who posted several videos outlining his fears rooted in Bill C-16 (http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=8280564), an act to amend the Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code currently in front of Parliament. No, when it comes to speech we really are not all that free.

Yes, free speech should allow us to criticise and question. In an ideal world there should be no limits but ironically it is those who cite this freedom insist on denying it to others which is why C-16 is attempting to extend further the current limits to free speech. They say the road to hell is paved in good intentions and the proposed amendments in Bill C-16 are exactly that; good intentions. Never the less one has to be careful of crossing the line but while difficult for me as well as for most others, the best policy is to respect the decisions of others. We have nothing to be smug about. While our US cousins have a long way to go in that department we at least can try to do that here, can't we?

For the latest by Professor Peterson see:

http://news.nationalpost.com/full-comment/jordan-peterson-the-right-to-be-politically-incorrect