Ezra Levant & Mark Steyn Fight Back for Free Speech in Canada

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Read more at the National Post and also be sure to listen to Rob Breakenridge's interview with Steyn.

Canada: A nation of endless victims :-(

Mark Steyn shares the latest on the "human rights" racket in Canada. It's beyond tragic that these quasi-judicial kangaroo courts are allowed to exist.

CHRC Uses Electronic Duct Tape to Silence Ezra Levant

If you want to see a small example of just how far out of control the Canadian "Human Rights" Commissions are, watch this video. Never in my entire life have I seen such a preposterous arrangement where the audio of one of the pundits was silenced. Pathetic.

The silenced one, Ezra Levant, has the back story here and here.

For visual purposes, it would have been priceless if Levant had affixed a piece of duct tape over his mouth but still, his [forced] silence spoke volumes ... loudly. Let's hope that more & more Canadians are finally realizing that Jennifer Lynch's Canada is more totalitarian than even George Orwell could have conceived in his darkest dreams.

For Jennifer "Gag All Who Disagree With Me" Lynch-mob not to appear on the show EVEN AFTER the ridiculous conditions were set up by CTV is positive proof of:

1. What an absolute coward she is.
2. What a completely unaccountable public official she is.
3. Why she should be fired immediately.

The fact that our current Conservative government is doing nothing about this is beyond appalling. Certainly the Liberals and NDP would be even worse but I cannot look up to (or send money to) a political party that is "less worse" than others.

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Update: With permission, I am posting this brilliant PhotoShopped pic from Leigh Patrick Sullivan:

Make no mistake, this is precisely how Jennifer Lynch wants to conduct business with anyone who disagrees with her!

Susan G. Cole: Free Speech Denier

If every village has an idiot then NOW Magazine's in-house version surely must be Susan G. Cole. In this despicable attack against Ezra Levant and against free speech in Canada, she truly embarrasses herself.

After attacking Rex Murphy, Rick Mercer, Anna Maria Tremonti, and Mark Steyn, she then goes on to say this:

Levant spouts all the near-religious-in-tone rhetoric about how freedom of speech is his inalienable right. Ridiculous. Freedom of speech as an absolute is an American fantasy.

Make absolutely no mistake, it is the apathy of most Canadians that have let the Susan Cole's of our country badly damage it and direct it towards an Orwellian nightmare where Thought Police, controlled by the likes of her decide what is permissible and what is not. We're nowhere near there yet but that is precisely the kind of place where we're devolving into unless enough Canadians wake up and say, "NO MORE!"

I am heartened to see that many people are taking the time to talk back to her, with intelligent, cogent arguments.

Incidentally, the photoshopped image you see of Ezra Levant is the one on the NOW magazine site. Their right to free speech lets them publish such an image but one can not help from comparing it with these.

A Little Pee Problem

Honolulu - Saipan man sentenced for urinating on fellow airline passenger

Federal Court judge Leslie Kobayashi yesterday sentenced a 28-year-old man from Saipan to 21 days in prison for assaulting a fellow passenger on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu. Jerome Kenneth Kingzio had pleaded guilty. The incident took place on March 21. U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo said court documents show the victim, a 66-year-old woman, was watching the in-flight movie when Kingzio stood next to her and began urinating on her.

One has to wonder if "Human Rights" Commission Employees throughout Canada aren't angry that this didn't happen on a Canadian flight. For then surely Mr. Kingzio could have claimed a Lack of Multicultural Understanding, successfully suing both his fellow passenger and the airline in our Kangaroo Courts. With the money he would have been awarded he could have taken a vacation to Hawaii!

Ezra Levant Visits Vancouver

In our wishy-washy era of compromised views (thanks to political correctness) there are very few heroes left in Canada. But Ezra Levant is one of mine.

When the "hate speech" provisions of ALL the "human rights" commissions are removed (as they should have been from the start) then I hope the government of the day gives Ezra the Order of Canada.




You can buy his book, Shakedown, here.

"Human Rights" Commissions in Canada

Ezra Levant recently appeared on Michael Coren's TV program, discussing the horrendous behaviour of the 14 so-called "Human Rights" Commissions across Canada. He cites several real-life examples that will leave you incredulous:


Click on the image below to learn more about Levant's new book:

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Update: Rex Murphy has a lengthy but superb review of Shakedown. Here's a snippet:

Now, some people do not like Levant's style. They say he is too aggressive, too noisy and assertive, that he courts controversy and publicity. They should read Shakedown, and they will quickly realize that anyone less "aggressive" or "noisy" would have long ago been suffocated by the remorseless, inequitable, taxpayer-funded, bureaucratic grinding of Canada's human rights tribunals and commissions.

On the matter of his alleged taste for controversy and publicity, again, after reading Shakedown, they will realize that without his ability to withstand controversy and generate publicity, an insidious and largely unaccountable process of diminishing the central concepts of our democracy — freedom of speech, press and thought — would largely have gone unnoticed, and what is far worse, unchallenged.

Can Canada's Demise Be Far Off?

Which side of the war would you like to be on? [Mark Steyn]

Old-fashioned types might think that those Britons - okay, make that "Britons" - helping to manufacture bombs for the Taliban are engaged in an act of treason. But, as a current court case in Quebec helps clarify, giving support to the Queen's enemies in their attempts to kill your compatriots is now just another vibrant, colorful manifestation of cultural diversity.

As the International Free Press Society notes, Said Namouh is on trial up north for aiding and abetting terrorism. The Crown charges that Mr Namouh distributed jihadist snuff videos, offered advice on bomb-making, volunteered his expertise for a planned truck bombing, and threatened governnments (including Canada's) with troops in Afghanistan. Defense counsel René Duvall doesn't deny any of this, but says his client's enthusiasm for violent jihad is protected on grounds of freedom of religion and (mirthless chuckle from your humble typist) Canadians' cherished right to freedom of expression. As Maître Duvall put it outside the court, "Where do you draw the line?"

In fact, the line seems to be pretty clear: If a jihadist says he wants to kill Canadian troops, he's just exercising his right to freedom of religion. If I quote what he said in Canada's biggest-selling news weekly, we'll be charged with "flagrant Islamophobia" and hauled up in court.

Meanwhile, the genius jurists at the British Columbia "Human Rights" Tribunal (which devoted one day of last June's show trial to examining the "tone" of my jokes) have rejected a "hate speech" complaint against the Koran. Fair enough, but the grounds for rejection are striking:

Humphreys dismissed the case after ruling that Simpson’s complaint would not further the purposes of the Human Rights Code.

As Commissar Humphreys sees it, the "Human Rights" Code is not merely a set of laws to be applied to all citizens equally, but has ideological objectives which take precedence.

02/22 10:05 AM

Canada's Free Speech Fiasco: The World is Watching

From The Australian, Janet Albrechtsen writes the following:

... the West is killing free speech slowly - by more subtle means - through state-sponsored censorship under the grand name of protecting human rights.

The insidious role of human rights commissions was exposed in June when Mark Steyn and Canadian magazine Macleans were hauled before the Canadian Human Rights Commission for islamophobia.

While the complaint was ultimately dismissed, the fact that words warrant oversight by a state tribunal points to a rank attitude to free speech where a person is required to spend copious amounts of time and money defending words and ideas.

The same thing had happened in April, when the Ontario Human Rights Commission dealt with complaints against Steyn and Macleans. And in January, when conservative commentator Ezra Levant had to defend his publication of the Danish cartoons to the Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission.

As Steyn wrote of his experience of heavy-handed state censorship, the media "seems generally indifferent to a power grab that explicitly threatens to reduce them to a maple-flavoured variant of Pravda ... As some leftie website put it, 'defending freedom of speech for jerks means defending jerks'. Well, yes. But, in this case, not defending the jerks means not defending freedom of speech for yourself. It's not a Left-Right thing; it's a free-unfree thing".

CHRC: Rudolph vs. Santa

The Globe & Mail has published an hilarious satire on what would happen if Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer were to take his "case" in front of one of the 11 "Human Rights" commissions in Canada.

Incidentally, if you're not Canadian or are just not familiar with the atrocious behaviour of our assorted "Human Rights" commissions, then here's a sampling of what they've been up to.

Jon McComb on Human Rights in Canada

Yesterday I heard an extremely powerful analysis on the current state of "human rights" in Canada from CKNW's Jon McComb. I asked him for a copy of the editorial, which he has given me, along with permission to post here in full.


Human Rights Report - November 26, 2008

With all eyes fixed on the economic and financial turmoil a recent development in the free speech debate got lost in the shuffle…but I think it’s an important one to shed light on.

You’ll recall the recent nonsense around the human rights complaint against Maclean’s magazine brought by the Canadian Islamic Congress. Maclean’s was forced to spend tens of thousands of dollars defending itself before the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal over an article written by commentator and author Mark Steyn. The Islamic Congress tried to portray the article as promoting hatred against Muslims.

But even the activist human rights tribunal couldn’t swallow that argument and eventually ruled in Maclean’s favour. But the magazine is still out the thousands in legal fees.

Imagine you’re an online blogger or website owner and, because you’ve done little more than hurt someone’s feelings, you’re made to mount a similar defence … even if a ruling goes your way, you’re still likely put in a terrible financial bind, if not bankrupted by a lengthy, secretive process. By the way, the complainant has their lawyers paid for by the taxpayer.

Well, now a report done for the Canadian Human Rights Commission by a Queen’s University law professor says the Commission needs to get out of the business of trying to censor hate speech … because freedom of expression trumps overbroad minority rights laws. Professor Richard Moon said: "Because discriminatory attitudes and assumptions are so pervasive, it is vital that they be confronted, rather than censored."

Professor Moon goes on to point out that Canada already has criminal code legislation to deal with hate mongers and hate crimes…and such matters should be left up to the police and the courts to sort out. In his view, Section 13 of the Human Rights Code should be repealed. Amen to that.

What’s outrageous is that cases involving basic charter rights are being heard before a bureaucrat driven skeleton of a real court … by a group of human rights lawyers, most of whom have never practiced anything else. “Kangaroo Court” is a description that comes up a lot.

Then there’s the fact the tribunal doesn’t adhere to standard procedures of evidence and due process so central to our real court system. These are proceedings in which truth is not a defence, innocent intent is not a defence, fair comment and the public interest are also out, as is good faith and responsible journalism. In other words, there is virtually no defence when going before a human rights tribunal.

Think about that for a second and then ask yourself what country we’re in.

Canadian Human Rights Commissioner Jennifer Lynch said that she welcomed the "thoughtful report" from Professor Moon but noted it is not binding. She said she will solicit public reaction to the recommendations over the next few weeks, before she asks Parliament to clarify her mandate.

As far as I’m concerned Parliament doesn’t need to clarify anything. It needs to take swift action on Professor Moon’s recommendations and repeal Section 13. I advocate getting rid of these commissions and their “Star Chamber” proceedings altogether … but that might be too much to hope for. While they’re at it, Parliament should amend the Human Rights Act to bring in legitimate rules of evidence and conduct.

The Supreme Court of Canada has recently underscored our right to free speech by confirming the defence of fair comment…why then are Human Rights Tribunals still putting that right in jeopardy?

The CHRC Has Nearly Put the Final Nail In Its Own Coffin

As Ezra Levant elaborates in great detail, the despicable Canadian "Human Rights" Commission power to determine what constitutes free speech in Canada is almost over.

And after Section 13 is removed we can only hope that Jennifer Lynch's employment will be terminated as well. Perhaps she can get a job at a Holocaust museum talking about tolerance. Though I have little doubt that every 5 year-old she would meet would know a lot more on the subject than she would! Don't let this sweet, smiling photo of Ms. Lynch fool you. She's a despicable human being who saw nothing wrong taking Canada down the road of totalitarianism, one baby step at a time.

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Update: More on this from Mark Steyn and Sean Berry.

Maybe Free Speech will be Restored in Canada

There are some very interesting developments on the infamous (and horrendous) Section 13 of the "Human Rights" Commissions across Canada. This section, in its various flavours, permits a group of Radical Left kangaroo court "judges" to make up rules as they go along - not based on precedent, not based on facts - to shut up anyone who they disagree with. These pathetic individuals are an embarrassment to Canada, as is Section 13.

But there are some positive lights on the horizon:

• Rex Murphy
• Mark Steyn
  
• Noam Chomsky
  
• Ezra Levant
  
• 99.5% support from the Conservative Party convention for repealing Section 13

I will keep my public promise of donating $250.00 to the Conservative Party of Canada once they make this change - not talk about it, but actually make the change. I believe this will be the first time I've ever donated to a political party in my life. That's how strongly I feel about this issue.

Promoting Balanced Views and Free Speech in Canada

Over the past 2 months I've listened to a larger variety of talk radio in the U.S. One thing that many down there are convinced of is that Academia (primary school to university) and most of the MSM are completely infested with 95%+ Leftists. Not just Mildly Left or sort of Left, but Extreme Left.

I suspect they are right. Anyone who thinks that this hasn't had an enormous effect on brainwashing countless people over the past 40 years toward the very perverted value system of the Extreme Left is deluding themselves.

It got me thinking about the situation in Canada. Our CBC is on the Extreme Left. CTV and Global are a bit different but mostly seems pro-Liberal Party. All of the newspapers except the National Post seem Mildly Left to Extreme Left.

It's difficult to change private sector institutions other than to stop supporting them. But the CBC *should be* much easier to change because they're paid for by our tax dollars.

Once the U.S. election is over I would love to start a grassroots campaign to write the head of CBC News and see what changes he has effected based on his promise to do so after the Mallick affair. My guess is that to date it has been zero to none. So then the CBC Ombudsman needs to be contacted en masse until the promised change occurs.

This could be connected with a petition to the Conservative Party demanding that such changes to the CBC be made and the Hate Speech Provisions of the HRCs be scrapped. Once they do so, those of us pledging donations to their party will carry forth as promised. Until then, not a cent.

To me this sounds like minimal time & energy from each supporter for maximum gain. Clearly we need a larger, more effective way to dramatically change Canadian public opinion. Put another way, for the first time in at least 40 years Canadians will be presented with a balanced set of views and can then make up their own minds. Much like I've been able to do with some Canadians, albeit one person at a time.

P.S. I wonder if Ezra Levant, Mark Steyn, and Jonathan Kay would be willing to spread the word? Goodness knows that North America will need more balanced views than ever before once the Extreme Leftists in an Obamanation implement the Unfairness Doctrine and likely effect a number of other things to kill free speech that they disagree with.

Prescient Steyn

The powers at be in Canuckistan have already toyed with the idea of banning Mark Steyn's writing throughout the frozen tundra of North America. Now in an Obamanation some extension of the Unfairness Doctrine may very well attempt the same.

Shut off from all traditional revenue sources I would recommend he borrow Johnny Carson's old Carnac the Magnificent hat and start a new gig as a fortune teller in a traveling circus.

Today, Steyn republished the first article he ever wrote for the National Post on October 29, 1998. To say it predicted the future would be the understatement of this new millennium. Here's one key paragraph:

I’ll bet those B.C. students protesting against Suharto would approve of the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission’s ruling that Hizzoner was guilty of discrimination. But the trouble with letting the state restrict free expression in the interests of nice cuddly causes like gay liberation is that you make it a lot easier for them to restrict free expression in the interests of non-nice causes like Suharto. In Canada, we’ve let the state go too far in policing dissent. Our official niceness has led, inexorably, to official intolerance – or to put it in culinary terms: If you cook up something that bland, it’s bound to get covered in pepper.

The Corrupt Canadian "Human Rights" Commission Is Back At It

Taking a break for the federal election, so as not to embarrass themselves and help out Harper too much, the CHRC is back it, playing their stupid games with Ezra Levant. How much time & money will this latest round cost him? And most Canadians are blissfully unaware of all this.

Watch out Americans, the same will likely be headed your way in an Obamanation. When it does, do you think the righteous liberals will speak out against it? I do doubt it.

George Jonas Slaughters the Canadian "Human Rights" Commissions

The horrendous twits on the assorted "human rights" commissions think that they've lulled Canadians to sleep, having done nothing outrageous so far this month. Some maybe, but not me. Nor George Jonas, one of Canada's finest writers. This is a must read for any Canadian who cares about free speech.

Canada's Permanent Victim Central

I read with disbelief two connected columns by Jonathan Kay about Canada's Permanent Victim Industry. The first is here and the other is here. It's beyond insane that in 2008 so many Canadians are making so much money promoting victimhood. But it is all about the money, isn't it? For if any of these nincompoops were to wake up one day and realize that they're accomplishing nothing for the members of the choir that they're preaching to then the gravy train would quickly dry up. The fact that they're doing everything to keep it flowing is beyond pathetic.

It just occurred to me that there's a clear cut human rights violation against the entire "human rights" industry. But they'd never listen, would they?

Jennifer Lynch: Ms. Canadian Double-Speak

Jennifer Lynch is the Chief Commissioner of the Canadian "Human Rights" Commission. She's also one very scary and troubled person.

In a recent interview with the National Post she exposed very clearly what rampant contradictions must be going on in her head every minute of the day.

George Jonas also shares his thoughts. Here's the best section from his piece:

“Freedom of expression is the foundation of a free, open and inclusive society. It must be preserved,” Ms. Lynch intoned on Tuesday, then two paragraphs later said: “What is not permissible, however, is to use free speech as a cover for hatred.”

FAQ: Is speech free in Canada? Yes. All speech is free in Canada, except hate speech. What’s hate speech? Why, it’s speech we hate.

Support Free Speech? Then you're an Intolerant Bigot

The annual Canadian "human rights" conference was recently held at Niagara-on-the-Lake. During this event, "human rights" lawyer Pearl Eliadis stated the following:

“There’s a narrow band of intolerant bigots out there who are jumping on to this bandwagon and are using this debate to propagate particularly hateful views. “What the free speech absolutists are saying is that, once you take that core element of speech and transport it into mass media, suddenly it becomes immune. I don’t understand why speech should be immune from discrimination law.The media should not enjoy more rights or immunity than anyone else.”

Do you support free speech? Then you're one of the intolerant bigots that Ms. Eliadis froths at the mouth about. Or if you're not, then she and her comrades reserve the right to serve as investigator, judge, and jury about whether or not you are.

Funny, I don't ever remember there being an election where a majority of Canadians voted in Pearl Eliadis as Dictator Suprema. Could someone check her meds?