Mark Evans, a former journalist for the National Post and technology blogger, reported on a libel suit launched by Toronto lawyer and political activist, Warren Kinsella.

The freedom of expression is protected under s. 2 of the Charter,

Fundamental freedoms 2. Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:

…b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;

Blogs in particular are often used to fully express this freedom in Canada, but often in some very irresponsible and inflammatory ways..

The rights in s. 2 are not absolute. Under s. 1 limits are mentioned,

Rights and freedoms in Canada 1. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.

Certain infringements of fundamental freedoms are therefore justified under s. 1. Speech and expression in particular have been limited in R v. Keegstra and R v. Butler.

In general, the courts tend to maintain the greatest restrictions on expression when dealing with vulnerable populations and those subjectively at risk of fear. They are less restrictive towards commercial settings, and most permissive in political expression.

But some types of political expression still transcend these rights, libel being one of them. Kinsela asserted that a political blogger involves him a political scandal, and is suing him for $600,000.

Evans summaries some wise words of advice to the world of blogging, often characterized by no-holes-barred attitudes,

I guess we should be careful about the next time we think of flaming someone.

Although the suit was now resolved, the lessons from this case should be applied to other often irresponsible bloggers who continue libel activity today.