The CHRC has said that they will take submissions from the public on the issue of the closed Warman v Lemire tribunal hearing, but the submissions must be made by March 17th.
Please write a polite and professional letter to Ms Jessie Cyr outlining why you believe the hearing should be public.
Details available at the link.
Write lots.
Here’s your chance free speechers…show the Lucy -Special K cult who is in charge of protecting civil rights.
One hand written letter is regarded by the polis as being the equivalent of 500 votes ( people who feel similarly but won’t write)…..also taking the time to do this instead of burning off a letter from the printer and signing it, shows motivation and dedication to the issue in.
Go get ’em!!
Yeah , but emails and FAXes are time stamped , which drives the bureaucracy crazy , because they must DO SOMETHING with it , not just throw it in the trash and pretend it never arrived.
Here is my letter, sent this afternoon:
Dear Ms Cyr
I am writing to request that the Warman v Lemire tribunal hearing that is scheduled for March 25, 2008 be open to the public.
As a Canadian citizen, I have never before questioned my right to free speech, nor have I ever tested the boundaries of such. After watching the video of Ezra Levant on Youtube, I became aware that my perceptions of my rights may have been naive, or that the CHRT may be interpreting them in a way that limits them to a different definition of a human “right”. If the parties involved are to be heard and tried, then as a Canadian citizen, I have an extremely compelling interest in the outcome of this hearing.
It is extremely important that we (as Canadian citizens) be able to see that this government agency is operating in an honest and transparent manner. Since any rulings will have a direct impact on how Canadians interpret their rights, it is important that the process be open and available for examination.
Thank you for considering this request.
done
Dear Ms. Cyr,
There is a cloud of fear and suspicion towards the CHRC, and its operators. This fear and suspicion has been brought to our attention by Ezra Levant, a recent victim of the CHRC tribunals. I am just an everyday, non-wealthy Canadian. I realize that if I were up on charges, that I could be easily railroaded by a tribunal. The CHRC by appearance is secretive, and does not follow the laws of the land. Made up of a body of unqualified persons which can decide to try any frivolous complaint that is put before them.
It is in the best interest of Canadians, to assuage their fear that the proceedings in the tribunal of Warman v Lemire will be made open to the public.
Yours truly,
Is there a FAX number for the CHRT? I am worried that snailmail won’t get it there on time.
Here is a fax number: 613-995-3484
done! I am interested in seeing what kind of response to this public input that the CHRT reports.
Dear Ms Cyr
I am writing to request that the Warman v Lemire tribunal hearing that is scheduled for March 25, 2008 be open to the public.
I have been following this case via blogs, and I have a concern that the CHRT has a different interpretation of Canadian free speech rights than what is commonly perceived by the Canadian public. Having this tribunal hearing open to the public will provide valuable insite to the Citizens of Canada on how this Charter Right is currently interpreted and aid in debate of how it should be interpreted in the future.
Thank you very much in advance for considering this request.
Sincerely,
Done and done.
How dare she. The onus should be upon the CHRC to explain in a definitive and concise way why it should be closed. Not the other way around.
This illustrates the upside-down flow of constitutional power prevalent in the average Canadian political mindset. I for one loathe asking the government’s permission for what legally belongs to me and only me.
The Government in this case needs to be fed a nasty dose of governing, from the people…
Thank you Connie.
Indeed KPD, my letter began…. “The real question is why should it NOT be public. ”
I hope everyone writes, it really is important. I know they will just take all our letters and put them in a shredder, but it does make me feel like I tried to do something about these star chambers.
Following sent today.
March12,2008
Canadian Human Rights Commission
160 Elgin St.
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 1J4
Attention: Mz G. Cyr. Subject: Warman vs Lemire Tribunal hearing.
Dear Mz Cyr:
I have recently become aware of the above hearing and understand this hearing is scheduled to be carried out in secrecy. If that indeed is the plan I must strongly voice my objection.
I object because of controversy surrounding recent CHRC cases involving Mr. Warman. Because of this controversy I believe it imperative this particular case be open to the public. Furthermore I believe all CHRC cases (excepting issues of national security) should be open to public scrutiny similar to Canadian courts. I’m sure you agree CHRC proceedings must always NOT only be but also appear to be open and unbiased if the public is to keep faith in the instituition.
Thank you for your consideration.
Yours Very Truly
My husband and I just emailed this to the CHRC:
Dear Ms Cyr
We have been following the recent HRC controversies with great interest.
We are very disturbed by the impression that due process is not being followed by HRC tribunals, including the fact that such hearings are closed to scrutiny by the Canadian public. This lack of due process appears to be a serious abrogation of the Charter rights of both the accused and the Canadian public, who will be directly affected by the outcomes of such HRC hearings.
In a democracy, in Canada, in particular, where the Charter of Rights guarantees basic human rights to each and every citizen, it is a Canadian citizen’s right to be free from arbitrary accusations and, without a fair hearing, consequent sanctions of the state. Unfortunately, the present modus operandi of the HRCs, where a fair hearing is not accorded to the accused, does not assure Canadians that they are free from unfounded or frivolous accusations or under-the-radar coercion by the state.
Canadians need to know that our HRCs are working on behalf of all the citizens of this country. Therefore, the process needs to be transparent and open to scrutiny. When hearings are closed, this cannot happen. In fact, closed hearings give the impression that special interests are being served, at the expense of those with less influence. This is a huge blot on the integrity of the HRCs, which must be remedied.
A very good start would be to assure Canadians that the Warman v Lemire hearing on March 25th be open to the public.
Sincerely –
Here’s my letter. I think some of the above are much better! But, the more we write, and make it clear that we are watching them, the HRC will have to avoid ‘bad’ decisions.
“The activities of the HRCs in Canada have been a focus of intense public interest in the recent months, as evidenced by the numerous commentaries written in the main newspapers, interviews and debates on television political shows, hour long debates on TVO and intense discussions on political blogs in Canada. As well, the Motion in the House of Commons by Liberal MP Keith Martin is focused on the role and function of the HRCs, in particular, on Section 13.1 of the Human Rights Act.
Various cases, including those of Ezra Levant and Mark Steyn/Macleans have become a focus of political and legal interest in Canada. The Warman v Lemire case has become widely known as an issue of internet freedom of speech and many website owners feel that the outcome of this case will have far-reaching implications in regard to their free speech, and that of their members.
The HRCs and their own view of their activities are not being explained to the public. We feel that the presence of media and public observers would serve to inform the public of the nature of and the function of the HRCs at the hearing.”
Great letter, ET!
keep them coming! jam their shredders!
The internet is the last bastion of freedom of speech, open to everyone in the world.
He who controls the words, controls the world. Let’s don’t go down without a fight!
Just sent mine out as well. Kudos for all of you who have “bitten your lips” and kept the letters polite. Connie was absolutely right. We cannot give them any ammo to accuse us of being unreasonable or intolerant. They are going to be surprised at how much interest there is in this issue. If we keep the pressure on, they will not be able to sweep this under the carpet.
done
I forwarded a copy of my letter to the CHRT to both Premier Ed and the new minister i/c of the AB HRC, Cindy Ady.
With a landslide PC victory, the likelihood of change in the AB HRC is highly unlikely. The new minister can easily plead gee…. I have no idea what has gone on. It will be good if there is a new round of e mails to the AB People.
The MSM successfully kept the HRC issue deeply buried during the election campaign and for the most part, PC incumbents would not appear in an all- candidates forum during the campaign (“to busy”). Interestingly the Rutherford show has had a couple of items on this week re HRCs but had nothing during the election campaign. (nor did he want anything as I tried)
Premier Ed premier@gov.ab.ca
Cindy Ady tprc.minister@gov.ab.ca
Marie Ridddle,Director humanrights@gov.ab.ca
oooops – Riddle above has only two d’s
It seems there has been a new ministry opened up – Minister of Culture and Community Spirit that is also i/c of Ab Human Rights Commission. The minister is newly elected Calgary MLA, Lindsay Blackett.
At least the HRC has been removed from tourism, parks, and recreation but let’s see what it really means.
I’ve just been over at Mark Steyn’s blog: Re the CHRC March 25th hearing, Warman v Lemire, he says, “My editors [at Macleans] have written to the Tribunal requesting permission for me and a staff reporter to attend.” YES!!
Besides Mark’s web site, I very highly recommend Ezra Levant’s. He’s doing a really fine job of minutely tracking and analysing, with loads of links for documentation, the CHRC fiasco, fast becoming a melt down: ’couldn’t happen to a group of more deserving people!
I’ve been aware of this problem for decades, but I had NO IDEA just how incredibly devious, mean spirited, underhanded, and possibly criminal these agents of the state—“agents provocateurs”—really are. Their hubris is both astonishing and the reason they’ve unwittingly exposed themselves: obviously, by taking on Levant and Steyn, they had no idea they’d be vulnerable. What invincible arrogance and ignorance! I hope these people, who have completely betrayed the public’s trust, are thoroughly hoist on their own petard.
I’ve written. I hope a lot more SDAers do, too.