I recently attended the Canadian Constitution Foundation Third Annual Law Conference titled Race, Religion, Equality and Freedom:Current Canadian Legal Controversies,
The first panel was on the Human Rights Commissions. I must say I admire Philippe Dufresne for entering the lion's den 2 years in a row. All three seemed to want major changes to section 13.1.
All three seemed mostly reasonable. Dufresne said the Lemire decision was being appealed for clarity. I asked him before the event what if it is upheld and the section is found unconstitutional and he said the commission would be Ok with that.
Professor Moon wants to abolish section 13.1 but have more criminal prosecutions. He seemed quite afraid of internet hate groups flying under the radar. He attacked Right wing bloggers as propagating lies that the MSM have picked up.
Prof Huscroft wants to get rid of 13.1 and not have more prosecutions under the criminal law. He kept emphasizing that there were people of good faith on both sides. He was firmly on the side of free speech.
In the question period Barbara Kay spoke first and asked about selective persecution, citing the case of the book written by the Quebec imam that advocated executing gays (the HRC complaint was dismissed.)
I spoke next and pointed out I was a minor right wing blogger, Moon replied then he could forgive me. I replied that I didn't for give him. I pointed out that the HRC issue would never be on the radar without the Right wing blogosphere.
I tried to bring up Warman, but Moon cut me off and ranted about the lies and misinformation from the Right Wing blogs.
He did apologize to me afterwards and I think he is pro free speech , but from the left side of the debate. He is worried about the level of discourse. It was quite interesting that the president of the CJC didn't show up. I would have liked to question him.
Crossposted at Dr Roy's Thoughts
