Throw Ann Coulter in jail!
UOttawa's provost should educate himself on Canada's hate speech laws.
It isn’t just the student union that is having a fit over Ann Coulter’s planned visit to the University of Ottawa. Francois Houle, vice-president academic and provost at the U of O, has sent Coulter an email warning her to watch her mouth, lest she find herself behind bars.
Coulter has posted the email online, which reads:
I would, however, like to inform you, or perhaps remind you, that our domestic laws, both provincial and federal, delineate freedom of expression (or “free speech”) in a manner that is somewhat different than the approach taken in the United States. I therefore encourage you to educate yourself, if need be, as to what is acceptable in Canada and to do so before your planned visit here.
You will realize that Canadian law puts reasonable limits on the freedom of expression. For example, promoting hatred against any identifiable group would not only be considered inappropriate, but could in fact lead to criminal charges. Outside of the criminal realm, Canadian defamation laws also limit freedom of expression and may differ somewhat from those to which you are accustomed. I therefore ask you, while you are a guest on our campus, to weigh your words with respect and civility in mind.
There is little question that Coulter has written many things considered provocative, rude and inflammatory. For a few examples see here and here. But has she ever said anything criminal? Something so offensive that it would actually attract the attention of the police? Our criminal hate-speech provisions no doubt require an arbitrary line be drawn between what is acceptable and what is not. But the way the law has evolved is that it has become reserved for the most egregious and vile offences, like this case.
When Section 319 of the criminal code, the hate speech provisions, was subject to a Charter challenge and reviewed by the Supreme Court some two decades ago, it survived only because the judges reasoned that, as written, it should not have an overly broad interpretation, and that only the most extreme cases should be subject to prosecution. Such cases typically include a sustained effort by the accused to willfully promote hatred over a period of time, and, in such a way that there would be no redeemable political speech. Hate speech has to be near fully void of relevant comment on issues of public interest. In fact this is written right into the criminal code and anyone charged with promoting hatred has recourse to several defences. The defences include truth, commenting on religious topics, making comments that stem from religious beliefs, and making comments that are on a topic of public interest.
Even if Coulter repeated every inflammatory thing she ever wrote during her visit in Canada, she likely still wouldn’t be charged. And, if she was, she would have several legal defences at her disposal.
Provost Houle wants Coulter to educate herself on our hate speech laws, I would suggest he take his own advice.
Evolution is real. There is solid scientific proof. You’re an idiot if you think otherwise. Chickens are small, delicious, feathered Tyrannosaurus Rexes. You came from a monkey, and before that, a fish, and before than, some goo.
Provost Houle’s e-mail is perfectly reasonable. He is merely informing her, ahead of time, that things are done differently here. He is *not* telling her that she has committed a crime – telling someone the speed limit on a road is 70 is not the same as telling them they are speeding.
Sure, perhaps all of her previous foolishness might not violate the criminal code, but you never know what she’s going to say. I don’t understand what Mr. Jerema’ problem is.
Galloway was not banned. When he asked for an advanced ruling from the Canadian officials in London prior to coming here, he was told that according law, he would likely be turned away at the border because he associated with Hamas, a group listed as a terorists organization. He was cordially invited to come anyway and try his luck.
His court case against the government officials conveens April 26.
The saddest aspect of all this is that people actually showed up and applauded. She is not a satirist that one can laugh off knowing they are only going for the laugh. She is an ideologue whose rhetoric is an aimed at denigration and demonizing. For those who were pleased by her appearance I remind you that the border is still open and don’t let it hit you in the bum on the way out.
I may not be as educated as some of you folk. But this is a truism you all need to think about. “If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem” I have yet to hear, or read, anything Ann Coulter has ever tried to convey to the masses that remotely shows her to be a person of advanced thinking. She is recycling old hate material in order to inflame us into purchasing her books. You all know her opinions are only ment to inflame and really have nothing to do with free speech. I would hope that Canadians use their good sense and would not try to use Ann Coulter, of all people, as a sound example for the argument of free speech.
You speak like a true communist, afraid of debate, afraid of opinions that differ from yours. Leftists like you are stupid for protesting free speech. Your boneheaded lack of thought and opposition to democracy are clearly evident. Forget the criminal code. It doesn’t apply to Ann Coulter’s (or anyone elses) right to say what they like even if it may offend. Obviously you lack even the most basic mental tools required to understand the law or abide within it. Fools like you are a dime a dozen, and if the student body of Ottawa U thinks as you do then it certainly is a bush-league university run by and attended by fascist idiots. Perhaps it’s time to permanently shut the doors of this trashy, obscene institution and toss the brainless weak-kneed morons within to the dogs.
[...] demonstration came after University of Ottawa vice-president academic and provost Francois Houle sent Coulter a letter advising her to “educate [her]self as to what is acceptable in Canada” and to “weigh [her] [...]
Just a quick reminder to all. Free speech is not a right, it is a privilege and like all privileges must me be earned and can be withdrawn. If you have any doubt of this you have only to look at how the overwhelming majority of world lives. All of our so called “rights” have varying degrees of applicability beyond our borders. You only enjoy this freedom because no one is currently taking it away. As with any freedom the more spectacular it’s excesses (such as Anne Coulter), the more ammunition it gives to those seeking to curtail or remove it. Enjoy your “right” while you’ve got it.
Actually, free speech is a right. Just read the constitution.