In the past few hours, a joint effort by a number of bloggers has resulted in a flyer that Conservative delegates will be receiving in time for this weekend’s policy convention in Montreal (correction – Winnipeg!).
(You can view and download a copy of the flyer here.)
“We strongly support those members of the Conservative Party of Canada who seek to repeal Sections 13 and 54 of the Canadian Human Rights Act.
Sections 13 and 54 of the Canadian Human Rights Act are a direct attack on the freedom of expression guaranteed to us under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The provisions of these sections allow the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal to prosecute anyone alleged to have said or written something “likely to expose a person or persons to hatred or contempt” whether there is a living, breathing victim or not.
Vague concepts such as speech or writing “liable to cause hatred or contempt” are the basis of expensive state-funded prosecution of individuals. The statute provides no objective legal test for “hate” or any objective means of determining what constitutes “contempt”. As a result, the CHRC is used by various groups and individuals, as a risk-free taxpayer funded method to silence their critics and those they disagree with. CHRC investigators have testified that that “freedom of speech is an American concept” and therefore not valid in Canada . Such statements are contrary to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms but are standard operating procedure at the CHRC.
Commissioners of the Canadian s Human Rights Tribunal, who are not judges and are often not even lawyers, have held that “truth” is not a defence against prosecution under Section 13. Intent or fair comment are also not defenses. In fact, there is not a single listed defence under Section 13! Because of the lack of any defenses, the Tribunal has a 100% conviction rate since 1978. The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal routinely ignores the principles of fundamental justice, such as the rules of evidence, and these kangaroo courts, even allow hearsay evidence. The CHRA provides for each Tribunal to make up the rules as they go.
Every journalist, writer, Internet webmaster, publisher and private citizen in Canada can be the subject of a Human Rights complaint for expressing an opinion or telling the truth. Given the ambiguity of Section 13, it is virtually impossible for any individual to determine if they might be in violation of Section 13. Arbitrary censorship and punishment are wrong, and cannot be justified in a free society.”
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While the hour is late, consider contacting your local Conservative MP to let them know you too, support the resolution which reads as follows:
Modify HRC Jurisdiction
PROPOSED BY VICTORIA AND KELOWNA – LAKE COUNTRY
iii) The Conservative Party supports legislation to remove authority from the Canadian Human Rights Commission and Tribunal to regulate, receive, investigate or adjudicate complaints related to Section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act.
I have found myself wondering why after all this time I have not bothered to contact my on Conservative MP on this subject. Why, for example, have I not written a letter to the editor, which I have always been willing to do on other important matters.
And I realize that the reason is because the Canadian Human Rights Act (such a ghastly name) is so obviously flawed, and in such obvious need of fixing, that I am depressed that I even have to lobby the Conservatives to do something about it.
They should want to fix this thing without us having to push them.
The fact that they need to be pushed to fixing the Act is even more depressing than the existence of the Act itself.
Then we grit our teeth, square our shoulders and press on TJ. We cannot wait until we are all criminalized by the thugs at the CHRC.
This weekend’s policy convention is NOT being held in Montreal. It is being held in fair Winnipeg, Centre of the Continent.
This weekend’s policy convention is NOT being held in Montreal. It is being held in fair Winnipeg, Centre of the Continent.
You can get every MP’s e-mail address here.
http://www.kootenaycuts.com/archive/?8005
Well I know my EDA contigent including myself will be supporting this resolution but, I’m hoping the MSM doesnt portray this as the Conservative Party dismantling the Human Rights protections as part of their “hidden agenda”. Speakers to it have to point to the freedoms of expression we have to maintain and to protect and that the structures to protect a person are the courts where due and open process must take place. We have to remove the capacity of abusers to use a quasi legal system to eradicate the freedoms that are the foundation of this Nation.Quislings can dismantle the nations fundamentals brick by brick while professing the protection they are destroying.
Ensure that we who will fight this battle are not fighting alone but can count on your support through this venue and in the corridors of public opinion.
Well I know my EDA contigent including myself will be supporting this resolution but, I’m hoping the MSM doesnt portray this as the Conservative Party dismantling the Human Rights protections as part of their “hidden agenda”. Speakers to it have to point to the freedoms of expression we have to maintain and to protect and that the structures to protect a person are the courts where due and open process must take place. We have to remove the capacity of abusers to use a quasi legal system to eradicate the freedoms that are the foundation of this Nation.Quislings can dismantle the nations fundamentals brick by brick while professing the protection they are destroying.
Ensure that we who will fight this battle are not fighting alone but can count on your support through this venue and in the corridors of public opinion.
As Conservative Party spokesman Ryan Sparrow said the other day, these motions and Party members wishes are simply input from stakeholders – and will be treated as such.
Besides, there are alot of ‘progressives’ in the party who support the broad notion of HRC’s within the nation. To supporters, they save money in the legal system, and address gaps where the blunt tool of the criminal code doesn’t address.
As TJ suggests, this should have been a no-brainer for any conservatively minded individual or party. Sadly, the calculus of retaining power trumps ideology. Everytime.
I am mortified my Con.MP supports the CHRC. But once again I emailed to let him know I support the resolution. I shall see what drivel he chooses to return a couple months from now.
But it’s done.
….and yes, even with the notion of freedom of speech.
Silly members, you should have known better. Now keep those monthly cheques going to the Party. They have some more posters to print.
“Then we ‘grit’ our teeth…”
Blazingcatfur
I prefer to ‘conserve’ mine. 😉
Might want to save your energy and efforts. The Conservative Party just doesn’t care what you think [http://tinyurl.com/6ec8ut]:
“Conservative Party spokesman Ryan Sparrow played down the potential impact of the convention resolutions on government decisions.
“They’re just like any other consultation you would have with any stakeholder group,” he said, confirming the government will not be bound by the Winnipeg decisions.”
Not only do they not care what you think, they are not so interested in even seeing you there [http://tinyurl.com/5jowhz]:
“The Conservatives expect a low turn out at their first national policy convention in more than three years and the first since Stephen Harper became Prime Minister of Canada mainly because of the costs and a lack of a “burning issue.”
“Because of the cost associated with it, because Elections Canada rules that these are donations, there’s a significant cost so that’s a limiting factor. A lot of riding associations won’t fill the full slates because people have to pay for their own flight, pay their own hotels and they also have to pay their delegate fee on top of that so it can be a pretty expensive venture,” said Ryan Sparrow, a spokesman for the party in an interview last week. “I’d expect roughly between 1,800 and 2,000 [voting delegates will attend].” ”
Ahh! A genuine Librano is here. Please do tell sir, what’s it’s like in that gulag of a party that you belong to? Are the elites as smart as I hear? Do the idiots and rank and file party members told what, how, and where to think and act?
Are they ignored by the party brass for the party brass’ benefit and ease of job, as opposed to member driven policy?
Since the Cons are/have become the same structure – I am curious to know what its’ like in a top down elitist ‘sit down shut up and cut the cheque’ kind of outfit….
I cannot support anything less than the complete abolishment of this act and the department that “enforces” it.
It must be a bitter pill to swallow to finally come to realize that the Reformer Stephen Harper that you voted for, Hardboiled, has in fact been Mulroney reincarnated all along. I feel for you.
I can see how the Conservatives would have avoided setting these up, but now that they are in place I can’t for the life of me see how they would manage the optics of shutting down “anti-hate” speech codes. You can imagine the HEADLINES and the agitprop from the multi-pronged communist opposition.
I mean, if they wouldn’t shut down the gun registry ….
Posted by: Me No Dhimmi at November 12, 2008 3:02 PM
That’s what leadership does Me No Dhimmi. It states a position, based upon logic, reason, and vision. Leadership reaches out to build consensus, to frame a future based upon the immutable values of the past. The legacy granted to us from the Magna Carta, from the experiment and success of our American brothers and sisters, and from the Parliamentary democracy passed on from the British empire.
Leadership and ideology meet to inspire and ‘lead’ by reasoned argument, analysis, and free flowing public debate.
Ultimately, resulting in a unified consensus that seeks to improve the lot and larder of the citizen.
Leadership is not primarily concerned with political calculations and communications strategies. Leadership is not driven by self aggrandizement and self enrichment.
Clear consistent leadership does what is right, because it is right.
And leadership would have dealt with politicized star chambers years ago.
Leadership and ideology meet to inspire and ‘lead’ by reasoned argument, analysis, and free flowing public debate.
Ultimately, resulting in a unified consensus that seeks to improve the lot and larder of the citizen.
Leadership is not primarily concerned with political calculations and communications strategies. Leadership is not driven by self aggrandizement and self enrichment.
Clear consistent leadership does what is right, because it is right.
And leadership would have dealt with politicized star chambers years ago.
Couldn’t agree more, Hardboiled.
So the question is… do you know of any party like that right now? I don’t see anything like that in Ottawa. If you find one, let me know, I might sign up.
100% in agreement with your eloquent post hardboiled.
Echoing Ted, I see no true statemanship anywhere in the western world at the moment. I see only a cowardly political class which is utterly contemptuous of the citizenry. A political class completely severed from the concerns and aspirations of the general public, concerned only with the period up to the next election.
On second thought, Václav Havel fits the bill eh? Mind you he’s a anti-communist in a constituency which, unlike Canada, already grasps the enormity of communism and its multiple prongs, including suicidal environmentalism.
“iii) The Conservative Party supports legislation to remove authority from the Canadian Human Rights Commission and Tribunal to regulate, receive, investigate or adjudicate complaints related to Section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act and FIRE. THEM. ALL.”
Cheers
Hans-Christian Georg Rupprecht, Commander in Chief
Frankenstein Battalion
2nd Squadron: Ulanen-(Lancers) Regiment Großherzog Friedrich von Baden(Rheinisches) Nr.7(Saarbrucken)
Knecht Rupprecht Division
Hans Corps
1st Saint Nicolaas Army
Army Group “True North
If I’ve previously mentioned Paul St. Pierre’s essay on this topic, please excuse me (grey hair is my excuse…)
http://digital.vancouversun.com/epaper/showlink.aspx?bookmarkid=NCD4VV0M68Q4&preview=article&linkid=4c5ba5d7-d2f8-462e-b189-0bb4284ad5b9&pdaffid=nPvmHR%2bSdEHkFuodHwJSVQ%3d%3d
I sit on an EDA board and while I won’t be attending the convention, I’ve sent on this resolution to those who are, asking that they lobby strongly on behalf of all Canadians.
Must say I’m sorely disappointed by the few numbers of Conservative M.P.’s who have placed their names on the brochure for publication. The name of my MP, sadly was not amongst them.
thanks DaninVan. How refreshing.
Three cheers for Kelowna-lake country. We have a great MP (Ron Cannan) who represents us well.
I sure hope the leadership of the party will get with this effort and stop these rascals from continuing to undermine our democracy.
Thank-you for posting this Kate. I have alerted the EDA of the Yukon. Darrell Pasloski is our candidate -in-waiting, Tom. He is a great guy, grab him for a chat, if you can – he will listen to what you have to say. He might need some convincing if the rest of the contingent is too afraid to support this motion.
I sit on an EDA board and while I won’t be attending the convention, I’ve sent on this resolution to those who are, asking that they lobby strongly on behalf of all Canadians.
Must say I’m sorely disappointed by the few numbers of Conservative M.P.’s who have placed their names on the brochure for publication. The name of my MP, sadly was not amongst them.
I got yet another sustaining donor card in the mail today. Dunno why – haven’t donated anything in nearly a year.
Of course, another plea for money was enclosed.
Sent the card back, no money donated, and included a copy of the brochure as well as a snarky note.
I too was an active board member and executive EDA member in my riding. I ceased active participation during the last election over this issue.
ABOLISH THE HRC’s
I too was a ‘sustaining”donor. No more – until they do two things. 1. get rid of the gun registry and, 2. deep six sec 13. I am about to turn 59. Since I have been eligible I have voted in every election – be it municipal, provincial or federal. I have not missed even once. If the Conservatives don’t get rid of the above two items before the next federal election I’m afraid my streak will be broken. I can’t bring myself to vote for another party but I will not vote for this government if it does not do what it said it would do.
FWIW I emailed my MP, Maurice Vellacott, and received this response:
I got your input in time, Bruce, and agree with all you said. Thanks much.
His name is not on the pamphlet as one of the supporters, so I thought I would make mention of it here.
“The fact that they need to be pushed to fixing the Act is even more depressing than the existence of the Act itself.”
TJ – It is not that the MP’s need to be pushed. We need to push the media and inform the public so that the Raes and Ignatieffs of the world will nto be able to demagogue. The Warmans and Lynches will try to portray this as a weakening of human rights. We need to make it clear this is a restoration.
Doe this mean I can say Jewish people run the banks or only critisize the poor,natives,blacks,immigrants or anybody else who you feel,the facists on this blog want to attack??? Sounds like Nazi Germany to me!!! The skinheads will love you. Put a confederate flag and a gun rack in your vehicles. Were your parents cousins??