Moving Right Along!

About damn time, too!

PM's chance to defend freedom of speech

"After five years in power, the Conservative government finally has introduced a bill to repeal the censorship provision of the Canadian Human Rights Act."

[---]

"Finally, the Conservative government has taken the first baby step to repealing it.

Well, that’s not quite accurate. The Conservative government and the Justice Minister haven’t done a thing. But a backbench MP from the northern Alberta riding of Westlock-St. Paul has. Last Friday, Brian Storseth introduced a private member’s bill, Bill C-304, called “An Act to Amend the Canadian Human Rights Act (Protecting Freedom).” Normally when a private member’s bill is introduced, it’s merely a symbolic act — pretend busy-work that’s little more than a press release, that has little chance of being passed, and often doesn’t even get a chance to be debated.

But Storseth’s C-304 isn’t at the end of a long line. It’s near the front — it’s 15th in line. So it’s quite likely that the bill will actually be debated, as soon as November, and voted on this year.

It should be a slam-dunk. Freedom of speech is so important to our society, it’s bigger than left wing versus right wing, or conservative versus liberal."

Wanna let your MP know how you expect him/her to vote? Type your postal code in here to get your MPs contact information. And while you're at it CC your congratulations to Brian Storseth.

Ezra Levant has more.

Related.

h/t Fiery Kitty Cat

It's Not Much...

...but at least here's a little bit about the status of Brian Storseth's proposed amendment to Section 13 of the Human Rights Act:

"This evening, members will debate Conservative MP Brian Storseth's private member's bill, which would delete Section 13 of the Human Rights Act -- the often-criticized hate speech law which has been said to violate the right to free speech.

The bill is in the House, back from committee.

And a bit more here:

"Another private member’s bill on Wednesday moved toward the final stage of Commons approval, to loud applause from Conservative benches. Bill C-304 would repeal Section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act and prevent rights claims based on hate speech from being brought before human rights commissions."

Great, Great Article...

...by Barry Rubin:

"Heather articulates one of the greatest ideas of the Enlightenment and of Western civilization. The way to progress, succeed, and to solve problems is to speak honestly. That’s why freedom of speech is the very first principle in the U.S. Bill of Rights. But the dominant philosophy of the current age — Political Correctness — is based on exalting lies on behalf of allegedly good causes."

"Heather" is an Egyptian woman, by the way. Good ideas do have a way of spreading far and wide.

Which reminds me, I wonder how Brian Storseth's proposed amendment of our Human Rights Act is doing.

Keeping Track...

...of the progress of Bill C-304, the amendment to Canada's Human Rights Law which will remove the nefarious clause that suppresses free speech?

Brian Storseth, the MP who is spearheading this, has a running list of the major steps already taken along the way, as well as links to numerous articles about it. The last entry was two months ago. I have no idea where it is at the moment. Hopefully, it will soon be law.

And Speaking of Sitemeter Sightings...

...someone from Australia did a search using the terms "right wing people so stupid" and landed on my blog. Harumph!!!! I'm insulted! Too bad I'm not a member of one of the "favoured" groups, else I'd be going to the closest Human Rights Commission.

Which reminds me, the amendments to the Canadian Human Rights Act are moving right along. The Senate has them now. Then there's one or two more steps and freedom of expression will have been restored!!

I'm watching Brian Storseth's website for progress reports and updates.