We have previously discussed the unrelenting attacks by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his allies on free speech. There has been a steady criminalization of speech, including even jokes and religious speech, in Canada. Now, the Canadian parliament is moving toward a new change that would allow the imposition of life imprisonment on those who post views deemed supportive of genocide. With a growing movement calling Israel’s war in Gaza “genocide,” the potential scope of such a law is readily apparent. That appears to be its very draw for anti-free speech advocates in the country.
The Online Harms Act, or Bill C-63 increases the potential penalties from five years to life imprisonment. It also increases the penalty for the willful promotion of hatred (a dangerously ill-defined crime) from two years to five years. The proposed changes constitute a doubling down on Canada’s commitment to reducing free speech for citizens despite criticism from many in the civil liberties community.
There is also a chilling option for house arrest if a judge believes a defendant “will commit” an offense. In other words, if a judge thinks that a citizen will be undeterred and try to speak freely again.
Justice Minister Arif Virani employed the same hysteria to convince citizens to surrender their freedoms to the government. He expressed how terrified he was with the potential of free speech, stating that he is “terrified of the dangers that lurk on the internet for our children.”
It is not likely to end there. Today the rationale is genocide. However, once the new penalties are in place, a host of other groups will demand similar treatment for those with opposing views on their own causes. This law already increased the penalties for anything deemed hateful speech.
The law comes after Canada blocked a Russian dissident from becoming a citizen because of her violation of Russian anti-free speech laws. In a telling act, the government said that the same conduct (i.e., free speech) could be a crime in Canada. Indeed, it may now be punished even more harshly.
But what if this legislation is adopted? It becomes Law. And we know that the Law is sacred, don’t we? At least until it is deemed otherwise. To those who blindly accept that the Law is synonymous with Justice, take note. Today the Law is for crimes committed. Tomorrow it will be applied to crimes that may be committed. Ask yourself, is your blind adoration of the Law righteous? Is it justifiable? Is it moral, ethical or even honorable? The Law is corrupted by agenda. It is weaponized. It is becoming an evil tool. I fear that we are too far gone.
Prof. Turley justly notes how amorphous the words “genocide” and “hate” can be, thus opening the door to abuse by censors and would-be dictators. He forgot a more recent word: “insurrection”.
Once viewed a a boon for wide exchange of information and views, the internet is now revealed as a powerful means of control by government over the mental life of those who are ruled.
Few remember the difference between an citizen and a subject. Escaping the British Empire was the master stroke of our Republic. The Commonwealth never did. Most Europeans never learned the difference. Except perhaps the French who learned the hard and bloody way, and many of whom haven’t forgotten. They give their government a slap now and again.
Effecting “SECESSION” from the British Empire was the master stroke of the ancestors of actual Americans.
What’s next?
Such colorful language. It’s OK to scream. There is no shame.
It is not likely to end there. Today the rationale is genocide. However, once the new penalties are in place . . .
Power. Once the power is exercised.
The left in the US dreams of having this power. The are working in overdrive finding work arounds to the Constitution.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Everytime I see what happens in other Nations, I have no doubt the hand of God guided the hand of founders as the drafted the bill of rights with the “negative” rights (per Obama).
In the United States we recognize our God given rights. Canada? The people are but subjects to be controlled, by edict.
And I thought Animal Farm was a novel……. Somehow, 1984 comes to mind with thoughtcrimes.
I wonder if someone runs against Justin Trudeau and says something harsh, will that person end up in prison?
Maybe somebody put something in the beer because the Canadian leadership are acting deranged.
“Oh Canada: The Parliament Moves to Impose Potential Life Imprisonment for Speech Crimes”
– Professor Turley
_____________________
This is but one manifestation of the “dictatorship of the proletariat.”
Once-free Canada and once-free America have allowed the communists to usurp power by neglect and omission.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”
– Declaration of Independence, 1776
I’m a former Canadian. Immigrated to the USA in 1995 with my husband and our six children. We all became US citizens on March 11, 2002. We are very, very thankful to be Americans. My parents have both passed away 10+ years ago (and my husband’s long before we left Canada), so we don’t visit nearly as often as we used to, though I have 3 brothers and a sister still in Canada. I’m not sure I ever want to go back there again now. Canadians have never had the absolute protection of God-given rights such as Americans have in the Bill of Rights, so it is easy for their government to take their rights away.
Thanks for sharing your journey.
We were up to Sault Ste Marie last summer to see the famous locks. On the boat tour I had the pleasure of talking the Captain. He was also an immigrant to the US, decades ago. He explained that after Trudue was elected he gradually realized he seldom crossed into Canada anymore. He said the difference is so stark, he now even avoids some family get togethers.
Terrible what has happened to the People of Canada, at the hands of a few elites.
@Anonymous
Appreciate your story, thank you.
“It also increases the willful promotion of hatred (a dangerously ill-defined crime) from two years to five years.”
So, would that apply to Kayla Aliese Carter, the topic of the other article today?
Would that apply to this group of fine folks, in the other article today?
“professors advocating “detonating white people,” denouncing police, calling for Republicans to suffer, strangling police officers, celebrating the death of conservatives, calling for the killing of Trump supporters, supporting the murder of conservative protesters, and other outrageous statements. University of Rhode Island professor Erik Loomis defended the murder of a conservative protester and said he saw “nothing wrong” with such acts of violence. ”
Would that Canadian law apply to them?
Apparently things aren’t bad enough yet. Using Google Maps, it used to be necessary to zoom in to see where the no-go zones were in the cities. Then it became necessary to zoom out a bit to see what cities are no-go zones. Zoom out a bit more to see the no-go states. And now it’s zoom out to see the no-go countries. Wake the f*ck up! We’re running out of real estate.
I suppose 5-years wasn’t deterrent enough. Now life. Gee, I wonder what the next step is?
Seriously, it is getting to be about that time.
As a very outspoken Canuck, former newspaper owner, this terrifies me. Looking back on some of what I’ve written, I would be subject to this law.
I assume this law applies to Canadians even while they are visiting other countries. I play golf regularly with one here in Florida durning the winter and I can just see the Mounties coming for him and wrestling him down on the 13th green.
Here’s the thing, this kind of law can be turned against anyone depending upon whom is running the show. Today’s ‘talk smack about group ABC is life in prison’ is easily tomorrow’s ‘belong to group ABC is life in prison.’
The left is on the warpath and that always spells the same outcome – corruption and misery on a mass scale, ALWAYS.
What else do you expect from the son (Pierre) of a Mao sycophant.
OT – Note to Senate regarding TIKTOK:
____________________________________________
“Give me just one generation of youth, and I’ll transform the whole world.”
– Vladimir Lenin
@George
Honestly, I suspect the dems were willing to call out Tik-Tok with legislation to have a back door into Twitter. The fact that they might enjoy stock profit as well is icing on the cake. Republicans that voted for that measure were blinded by the China association, IMO. Fools, but what’s new?
What else do you expect from the son (Pierre) of a Mao sycophant.
If we continue to elect dem/fanatic wokester/prog/leftists that will be us in no short time.
Canada gave up there guns.
NEVER voluntarily surrender your guns!!! 700 million in circulation according to the ATF. Don’t think for a moment the Democrat Communist Party wouldn’t like to do the same. Listen to what they say.
Dark Brandon and the Dark Party if Death are tyrannical.
I don’t think “genocide” means what Trudeau thinks it means.
Welcome to the gulag. Oh, Canada, indeed.