The Liberal government leading Canada has introduced Bill C-9, the “Combatting Hate Act”, which is supposed to prevent hate crimes. Instead, the Bill C-9 threatens the Charter rights and civil liberties of all people in Canada. That includes any communities that the government wishes to help protect.

• Bill C-9 gives police discretionary powers to determine which symbols are hateful and what are protesters’ intentions. This will lead to more arbitrary arrests and disruptions of peaceful assemblies, potentially including labour union picketing.

• These new broad and discretionary powers, combined with increased jail sentences, will significantly undermine Canada’s fine record of free expression and dissent. Bill C-9 sends a chill amongst those who would otherwise take part in civil protests.

• Bill C-9 is highly alarming, especially in the context of the crackdown on Palestinian solidarity, anti-genocide, antiwar, anti-violence as well as pro-peace, pro-justice protests.

The voices of Canadians have a right to be heard! Perhaps pols have not read our Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The hate laws in Canada have provided adequate protections for decades. Have we grown so thin-skinned we can’t ignore the Holocaust-deniers, the climate change-deniers, anti-immigrant voices, whatever? These agitators are mostly on the Internet to hear their own voices. By banning them, you’ve validated that their voices are real and not just in their in their heads. Sticks & stones worked in grade school and it still works now.

Canada has not yet reached the level of denying free speech by broad SLAPP lawsuits and defining legitimate protestors terrorists as in the US, broaching its Bill of Rights. In the UK, govt has already breached the Magna Carta by banning Palestine Action.

Bill C-9 appears to this author as just more toadying to the US. Our leaders may talk bif but introducing Bill C-9 in the Commons means they have no commitment to walking the walk.

C-9 is assC-9!

The entire West is moving toward authoritarianism if not outright Fascism. Shutting down the ability to freely speak is the first step in controlling the public with an iron rod.

Just to play devil's advocate, many protestors today believe that freedom of speech includes damaging property, looting stores, blocking roads, and ignoring or attacking law enforcement. 'Peaceful Protest' has taken on a new meaning. If a protest is 100% peaceful, there shouldn't be a problem.

15 minutes ago, ColeBOzbourne said:

Just to play devil's advocate, many protestors today believe that freedom of speech includes damaging property, looting stores, blocking roads, and ignoring or attacking law enforcement. 'Peaceful Protest' has taken on a new meaning. If a protest is 100% peaceful, there shouldn't be a problem.

That's rather absurd logic. I get what you're trying to say, but people who commit crimes during times of protest are using the protest as cover to commit crimes - they are NOT exercising their First Amendment rights, they are criminals. Unfortunately those who came to legitimately peacefully protest get caught between over-zealous cops and violent criminals and anarchists.

However, when the mainstream media pimps garbage like, "Fiery But Peaceful Protests," they too are covering for criminals. That that's the nature of propaganda, in this case, progressive liberal propaganda which excuses violence.

50 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

The Liberal government leading Canada has introduced Bill C-9, the “Combatting Hate Act”, which is supposed to prevent hate crimes. Instead, the Bill C-9 threatens the Charter rights and civil liberties of all people in Canada. That includes any communities that the government wishes to help protect.

• Bill C-9 gives police discretionary powers to determine which symbols are hateful and what are protesters’ intentions. This will lead to more arbitrary arrests and disruptions of peaceful assemblies, potentially including labour union picketing.

• These new broad and discretionary powers, combined with increased jail sentences, will significantly undermine Canada’s fine record of free expression and dissent. Bill C-9 sends a chill amongst those who would otherwise take part in civil protests.

• Bill C-9 is highly alarming, especially in the context of the crackdown on Palestinian solidarity, anti-genocide, antiwar, anti-violence as well as pro-peace, pro-justice protests.

The voices of Canadians have a right to be heard! Perhaps pols have not read our Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The hate laws in Canada have provided adequate protections for decades. Have we grown so thin-skinned we can’t ignore the Holocaust-deniers, the climate change-deniers, anti-immigrant voices, whatever? These agitators are mostly on the Internet to hear their own voices. By banning them, you’ve validated that their voices are real and not just in their in their heads. Sticks & stones worked in grade school and it still works now.

Canada has not yet reached the level of denying free speech by broad SLAPP lawsuits and defining legitimate protestors terrorists as in the US, broaching its Bill of Rights. In the UK, govt has already breached the Magna Carta by banning Palestine Action.

Bill C-9 appears to this author as just more toadying to the US. Our leaders may talk bif but introducing Bill C-9 in the Commons means they have no commitment to walking the walk.

C-9 is assC-9!

Here's the rub: The Government can define "Hate" as anything they want. It doesn't have to actually be "hate", just want they call "hate." And that definition of "hate" can change of the whim of the government. The law is meant to chill public opinion and the oppress the public.

The West is rapidly becoming no better that the Soviet Union, Fascist Italy, or Nazi Germany.

1 hour ago, ColeBOzbourne said:

Just to play devil's advocate, many protestors today believe that freedom of speech includes damaging property, looting stores, blocking roads, and ignoring or attacking law enforcement. 'Peaceful Protest' has taken on a new meaning. If a protest is 100% peaceful, there shouldn't be a problem.

Jersey Devil here! I believe that violence can only be done to people. Burning a Tesla is not violence. Ignoring police is far different from attacking police or responding to police brutality with violence.

Regardless, the goal of all protest is to be heard, to bring the issue before the public. Only drama does that.

In the eyes of the state, there is no "100% peaceful protest". They always find a way for repression

Ah, I'll give you an example. You mentioned blocking roads. How about blocking pipeline construction, or weapons trains, or m ilitary bases? I very much admire the Valve Turners, a group of oldies who coordinated shutting off oil on several pipelines, all at the same time. Was that violence?

In the US, this action was charged as "domestic terrorism". A country that can trump up such charges, can make such repressive laws, is not my Canada.

47 minutes ago, connda said:

That's rather absurd logic. I get what you're trying to say, but people who commit crimes during times of protest are using the protest as cover to commit crimes - they are NOT exercising their First Amendment rights, they are criminals. Unfortunately those who came to legitimately peacefully protest get caught between over-zealous cops and violent criminals and anarchists.

However, when the mainstream media pimps garbage like, "Fiery But Peaceful Protests," they too are covering for criminals. That that's the nature of propaganda, in this case, progressive liberal propaganda which excuses violence.

Let's take this further, Connda, because I would genuinely like to hear your opinion. There are two types of crime: crimes against people and crimes against property. I agree that there have been in many instances destruction of property and looting in cases of protests that became uncontrollable riots. I submit, though, that no one intended the protest to turn into a riot. Frustration becomes people, both protesters and police.

Propaganda, of course, works both ways. It can mean anything. Rhetorical question: Are the majority too stupid to separate propaganda from what is truth. Such, hehe, "fake news" (great invention, btw) requires checking multiple sources and looking at an issue from many perspectives before one can arrive at a valid opinion. I do it every day.

I believe there is never an excuse for violence, by civilians, by soldiers, by the state. But nonviolent civil disobedience is a different story. We stand and take our medicine. Not only does the protest hit the media, but so do the arrests, trials aso.

57 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Burning a Tesla is not violence.

58 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

How about blocking pipeline construction, or weapons trains, or m ilitary bases? I very much admire the Valve Turners, a group of oldies who coordinated shutting off oil on several pipelines, all at the same time. Was that violence?

No, it's not violence. It's damaging property, trespassing, disturbing the peace, failing to comply with law enforcement, etc., etc.. If I get angry about something it doesn't give me the right to burn your tesla, block your driveway, vandalize your house, etc.. Being angry doesn't give me the right to ignore the police when they tell me to do something. It seems that you think all of that is fair game and okay, short of direct violence towards other people.