Speech Restrictive Laws
The Issue
Despite the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms recognizing freedom of expression as a “fundamental freedom”, it faces serious challenges. Among troubling restrictions are the creation of the new offense of encouraging the "commission of terrorism offences in general"; continuing use of criminal defamation against critics of public officials; broadening the definition of hate speech; failure to curtail abuse of civil defamation; and unwillingness to remove archaic laws such as the Criminal Code offences of defamatory libel and seditious libel.
Why It Matters
Freedom of expression is the foundation of a democratic society and is essential to virtually all other freedoms. Only through the opportunity to hear different perspectives can we formulate our own views to share with others. When governments inappropriately limit what can be expressed and when courts restrict unpopular or controversial viewpoints, the public’s right to hear and form their own conclusions is lost, and democracy imperilled.
Our Work
The CFE defends free expression rights. We promote public discussion of what are justifiable limits on free expression. We press for the repeal of antiquated and inappropriate speech restrictive laws, such as blasphemy and criminal defamation, as well as for the repeal of anti-terrorism laws that undermine basic freedoms and democratic rights. We advocate for the introduction of anti-SLAPP legislation that effectively prevents the use of civil defamation to intimidate and silence critics. We monitor and, where appropriate, seek to intervene in court cases that will shape free expression rights in Canada.
Resources
Transforming "Call Out" Culture
Loretta Ross - In Conversation with Asam Ahmad
Protecting Privacy in the Digital Age
Panelists: David Hutton, Mariette Pilon, Teresa Scassa
Moderator: Brenda McPhail
Ag-Gag Laws & the Public’s Right to Know
Panelists: Robert Cribb, Jodi Lazare, Richard Moon
Moderator: Cara Zwibel
Violent Hate Groups Must Be Held To Account — Using Rights-Violating Anti-Terrorism Laws Isn’t The Way To Do It
The violent attacks on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on January 6th were, in large part, a culmination of four years of a political regime that incited violence and hatred based on racism, white
By Tim McSorley
BPC Bulletin: Billionaire Wins Right to Sue Twitter in British Columbia
January 31, 2021 - A judge in the Supreme Court of British Columbia recently ruled that a West Vancouver billionaire may sue a U.S. social media company for defamation.