BPC Bulletin: The Supreme Court of Canada Rules on Ward v. Quebec
News Reports and Commentary Selected by Franklin Carter of the Book and Periodical Council’s Freedom of Expression Committee.
The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled in Mike Ward’s favour in a case that pitted the comedian’s right to free expression over singer Jérémy Gabriel’s right to dignity as defined by Quebec’s Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.
In a 5–4 decision, Canada’s highest court ruled that Ward did not go too far when he made jokes about Gabriel’s physical appearance during a comedy tour between 2010 and 2013.
The court rendered its decision on October 29, 2021.
READ WARD V. QUEBEC
REPORTAGE
In the National Magazine, Dale Smith reports:
National | The harm done (nationalmagazine.ca)
Jaela Bernstien of CBC News reports:
Supreme Court rules in favour of Quebec comedian who mocked child singer - YouTube
Peter Zimonjic of CBC News reports:
Isaac Olson of CBC News reports:
In the National Post, Brian Platt reports:
Supreme court affirms free speech rights of Quebec comedian who mocked disabled boy | National Post
Olivia O’Malley of Global News reports:
Jim Bronskill and Sidhartha Bannerjee of the Canadian Press report:
The Canadian Press reports:
In Canadian Lawyer, Elizabeth Raymer reports:
In iPolitics, Leslie MacKinnon reports:
Top court sides with comic who mocked disabled singer (ipolitics.ca)
In Le Devoir, Annabelle Caillou reports:
Mike Ward n’aura pas dépassé les bornes | Le Devoir
In the Montreal Gazette, Paul Cherry reports:
Supreme Court rules in favour of comedian Mike Ward in Jérémy Gabriel case | Montreal Gazette
In The Globe and Mail, Sean Fine reports:
The National Post excerpts the decision of the Supreme Court of Canada:
Why the Supreme Court ruled comedian Mike Ward is free to mock disabled teen: Excerpt | National Post
COMMENTARY
In The Globe and Mail, Peter Henein comments:
Opinion: Did you hear the one about the Supreme Court judges and the bad joke? - The Globe and Mail
In The Georgia Straight, Sarah Leamon comments:
In The London Free Press, Robin Baranyai comments:
At CTV News, Robert Leckey and Pierre-Gabriel Jobin comment:
Opinion: Ward and Gabriel: What hope for the defence of dignity? | CTV News
In the Vancouver Sun, Peter McKnight comments:
Discrimination gets important definition from Canada’s Supreme Court | Vancouver Sun
In the Montreal Gazette, Martine St-Victor comments:
Martine St-Victor: The Mike Ward case and the court of public opinion | Montreal Gazette
In MarketScreener, Norton Rose Fulbright LLP presents an opinion:
In The Globe and Mail, Robyn Urback comments:
In the Toronto Sun, Jerry Agar comments:
AGAR: Thankfully, Canada isn't criminalizing offensive comedy – for now | Toronto Sun
In The Hamilton Spectator, Rosie DiManno comments:
In Le Devoir, Brian Myles editorializes:
Les leçons de l’arrêt Ward | Le Devoir
In the Montreal Gazette, Bill Brownstein comments:
Brownstein: Mike Ward 'saved comedy,' peers say after Supreme Court ruling | Montreal Gazette
Mike Ward comments in English on YouTube:
Supreme Court Verdict: My Reaction - YouTube
Mike Ward comments in French on YouTube:
Verdict de la Cour suprême : Ma réaction - YouTube
BONUS VIDEO
In the first episode of the web series Faut en parler, Guy Nantel talks with Mike Ward and journalist Marc-André Cyr about free expression:
Faut en parler | La liberté d'expression - YouTube
Thanks go to Charles Montpetit and Alvin Schrader who provided some articles.
The Book and Periodical Council was formed in 1975 as the Book and Periodical Development Council to provide a venue for members to discuss industry issues, address mutual concerns and undertake projects for the benefit of Canadian writing and publishing.