Law is Cool

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We’ve all been waiting for this since forever.
The understandably busy articling students from Osgoode Hall make time to debate Mark Steyn on TVO.
A point of note: the poster of the videos introduces them as “sock puppets.” However, they are 3 of the 5 law students that produced the original research leading to the […]

When “free speechers” publish letters by lawyers or put legal proceedings online, they themselves are attacking free speech by attempting to intimidate legal proceedings.

The Ahenakew affair: a bad law, an opportunity missed

By Marjaleena Repo
The David Ahenakew Affair, after five years in the courts, has sprung back with full force after the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) voted to reinstate him as one its senators. The media have reacted with vehement disapproval as have Jewish organizations. The provincial […]

Although the OHRC decided not to hear the complaint against Maclean’s, they have issues a strong condemnation of Islamophobia in the media.
The Human Rights Code in Ontario covers:
(1) goods, services and facilities
(2) housing accommodation
(3) employment
(4) contracts
(5) membership in unions, trade and vocational associations
But the statement issued by the OHRC also said,
The different approaches in […]

A panel of experts spoke at the University of Western Ontario on careers in labour law on Feb. 14, 2008.

Two days ago, Liberal MP, Dr. Keith Martin proposed this private bill:
Mr. Martin (Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca) — That, in the opinion of the House, subsection 13(1) of the Canadian Human Rights Act should be deleted from the Act.
The section in question is as follows:

Hate messages

13. (1) It is a discriminatory practice for a person […]

Davenport MPP Tony Ruprecht opposes more supportive housing developments in his riding at 184 Wallace St.
But it’s his justification has drawn steep criticism, and a complaint to the Ontario Human Rights Commission (they’re everywhere these days, aren’t they?).
In a letter to the City of Toronto’s Committee of Adjustment he referred to,
…the daily struggles of shop […]

Jon-Jo may know his law, but he certainly doesn’t know his infectious diseases.
That’s what this South African blogger is saying about the Justice in Barrie who has recently drawn fire for his ignorance on HIV.
Justice Jon-Jo Douglas said at a trial last November,
The HIV virus will live in a dried state for year after year […]

Hear first-hand about Ezra Levant’s proudest moment of his life, at the Alberta Human Right Commission.He expresses extreme disdain for the Commission, calls it a joke, and claims it is not even relevant to him.
Opening Statement

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzVJTHIvqw8

Other Videos
To see the rest of the “interrogation,” click on the following links:

What Was Your Intent?
The Real Violence in […]

The International Business Services (iBLS) did an excellent summary this week on Online Hate and the Law.
They explain how freedom of expression, though necessary to health democracies, do have some limits, as detailed below.
Thanks to Gary Wise of the Wise Law Blog for the heads up.

The Nanaimo Daily News ran an editorial on the Maclean’s case this week.
Steyn responded to the article with some corrections.
But we have our own responses to the Nanaimo editorial.
Words not Actions
Nanaimo states,

…Alan Borovoy, general counsel for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, human rights tribunals are for discriminatory actions, not words.

Not true. Numerous […]

M.J. Murphy of BigCityLib blog challenges Mark Steyn to be consistent in his critique of Human Rights Commissions when they rightly target hate speech found in other quarters.
Other Liberal bloggers have made similar comments of inconsistency. Warren Kinsella commented about Ezra Levant,
The fraud, in this case, is my friend Ezra Levant. He is […]

Levant on Anti-Homosexual Pastors
In an article in the National Post titled, Drug dealers get the benefit of the Charter, but not pastors accused of homophobia, Ezra Levant, founder of the Western Standard and currently with Maclean’s, criticizes Lori Andreachuk in Darren Lund
v. Stephen Boissoin and the Concerned Christians Coalition Inc. (2007),
…An even more terrifying […]

Hatred on the Internet
Section 13(1) of the Canadian Human Rights Act (“the Act”) makes it a discriminatory practice for a person or group of persons to communicate by means of the Internet, material that is likely to expose someone to hatred or contempt by reason of the fact that he or she is identifiable on […]