Blog
Page 8 of 16
Nov 6
2018
Can we please keep the speculative fiction out of censorship discussions?
What is and what isn’t censorship? It’s hard for me to believe this discussion is even necessary at this particular moment in history.
By John Degen / Posted Tuesday November 6, 2018
Sep 26
2018
When to Use the Section 33 “Notwithstanding” Override
The controversy over invoking section 33, the Charter’s override, in Ontario appears to have subsided. By imposing a stay on the lower Court ruling of Justice Belobaba, the Ontario Court of Appeal salvaged the Ford government’s effort to interfere with Toronto’s pending municipal election.
By David Schneiderman / Posted Wednesday September 26, 2018
Sep 20
2018
It’s Back to Compelled Speech Time Again
Whose speech is compelled more than anyone’s in the country? Why teachers and students in K-12 schools, of course. From the singing of the National Anthem each morning, to the recitation of historical dates and multiplication tables, to astronomical theories, to dress codes, to the pep rallies, to the macaroni covered mothers’ day cards, to the schedule of mandatory holidays, each school student and teacher is compelled to express herself in the correct fashion at the correct time.
By Danielle S. McLaughlin / Posted Thursday September 20, 2018
Sep 14
2018
“Notwithstanding” liberal outrage: a critical race perspective
I’ve been trying to figure out how I feel about Doug Ford’s use of the Notwithstanding clause, and in particular the anxious liberal handwringing about it. Yes, his actions are certainly threatening to a liberal democratic conception of the rule of law.
By Anver M. Emon / Posted Friday September 14, 2018
Sep 5
2018
No thank you, Premier Ford
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has carried through with his promise to require universities to develop, implement, and comply with free speech policies that meet his government’s minimum standard in the next 120 days or face the possibility of a reduction in their operating grant funding.
By James L Turk / Posted Wednesday September 5, 2018
Aug 30
2018
We do have nice tits; Thank you for noticing! (Or, An Intersectional Pleasure-Positive Defence of Catcalling)
Co-authored by Maggie FitzGerald.
Unpopular opinion: We love to be catcalled.
It can be friendly or flirtatious. Affirming or exciting. For some, afleeting moment of eroticism.
By Ummni Khan / Posted Thursday August 30, 2018
Aug 1
2018
Human Rights and Compelled Speech
The broad-shouldered man sitting in a front-row chair leaned over and looked fiercely at me. “I’m a mean guy.” He looked as though he could snap logs in half with his bare hands.
When I unexpectedly laughed, his features softened. He said he was also a “helper,” attending what was advertised recently as a “compelled speech” panel, in case security needed support dealing with protesters. He pointed to the security men, who were wearing suits but standing alertly, at each corner of the large auditorium packed with more than 700 people.
By Anne McNeilly / Posted Wednesday August 1, 2018
Jul 24
2018
Developing a Whistleblowing Culture in Canada
Being a whistleblower in Canada is tough. The Canadian legal framework with respect to whistleblowing is a hodgepodge of different laws and regulations, none of which historically have been very effective. The frameworks differ with respect to whether the whistleblower is in the federal or provincial jurisdiction, in the public or private sector or depending on the type of information being disclosed.
By Abbas Kassam / Posted Tuesday July 24, 2018
Jul 5
2018
More on Compelled Speech: Compulsory Union Dues
According to the US Supreme Court in the recent case of Janus v. American Federation of State Employees, an individual’s free speech is restricted when she is required to pay dues (or ‘agency fees’) to a union, even when the union is using those dues to support collective bargaining. Alito J.
By Richard Moon / Posted Thursday July 5, 2018
Jun 27
2018
State Compelled Expression: Two recent cases
Claims that the state has improperly or unjustifiably compelled individuals to speak, contrary to s. 2(b) of the Charter (freedom of expression), have recently been made in two cases.
By Richard Moon / Posted Wednesday June 27, 2018