We are fortunate to live in a country where free speech is held so dear. Many of us have at least one or two beliefs that might be out of line with the beliefs of those around us, but we have the liberty to say and think what we like.
Westlock-St. Paul MP Brian Storseth has been busy during the fall legislative session with his private member’s bill that seeks to remove a section of the Canada Human Rights Act that has been found to be in contravention of Canadians’ Charter Rights, and his efforts should be applauded.
The French author Voltaire is often quoted as saying, “I may not like what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” This idea is one with which few would disagree.
We acknowledge that in a free society, those around us must be free to express views that contradict or even insult our own.
Few among us would be comfortable hearing a white supremacist go off on a tirade about the inferiority of all other humans or would be eager to support a homophobic rant calling into question the human value of the gay and lesbian community.
And further few among us would be happy if someone called into question our own personal beliefs, whether they are about religion, politics, or simply how to live one’s life.
However, until these hateful messages go from encouraging hateful ideas to encouraging hateful action, there should be no judicial and especially no quasi-judicial repercussions, and Bill C-304 is a step in the right direction.
Until these rants, tirades and questions start to encourage violence, or advocate genocide, they are most properly dealt with as the pitiful squealings of an ignorant heart. They should be laughed at, mocked, and called out for the narrow-minded garbage they are.
But the should never, under any circumstances, be silenced — just like our right to express our own ideas about things should never be silenced.
After all, if we are going to tell ourselves and others that free speech is a fundamental human right, then we must acknowledge that not one of us has the right to not be offended.
