Politics of Hate

Canadian human rights tribunals and their hate speech provisions are a subject of debate this month largely due to the controversial Supreme Court case of anti-gay activist Bill Whatcott.
Whatcott is accusing human rights tribunals of being unfair. “I don’t see them as judicial or even handed. I want them to lose their ability to censor.” said Whatcott, who was penalized by the Saskatchewan Human Rights Tribunal (SHRT) for hate speech.

Growing up isn’t easy

Colleen Henderson, 77, is the informal caregiver for her 82-year-old husband Ernest, who has heart disease, diabetes, an ulcer in his foot, and a deteriorating memory.

Six months ago, Ernest had a heart attack and while he is doing a lot better now, his weeks are full of doctor appointments, visits to the hospital, visits from nurses and blood tests administered by his wife.  For Colleen, her week doesn’t look any different.  As Ernest’s caregiver, she’s responsible for organizing all of it and accompanying him to all his appointments.  It’s a difficult job especially considering she has to take care of all the house work, bill payments, and daily chores as well.

“If I could ask for anything, it’d be time,” she said. “It’s a twenty-four-seven job,” As she said this, her eyes began to water.  She paused and quickly leaned over to grab a tissue.  As she composed herself, she quietly whispered to me, “What if I get sick? What would we do?”

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Bill C-26, Citizen’s Arrest

To his Chinese community in Toronto, David Chen was a hero, but according to Canada’s Criminal Code, he was an alleged criminal.

According to lawyer John Hale, Chen is the reason the Harper government has decided to introduce Bill C-26, an act to amend the Criminal Code provisions on citizen’s arrest and defences of property and persons.  Bill C-26 was referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights prior to the Christmas break and will undergo a thorough committee study when Parliament resumes at the end of January.

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