Finally - The Government Addresses Section 13 Abuse

Justice Minister Rob Nicholson urges all MPs to support bill C-304:

“Our government believes Section 13 is not an appropriate or effective means for combating hate propaganda. We believe the Criminal Code is the best vehicle to prosecute these crimes,” Justice Minister Rob Nicholson told the House of Commons during question period.

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In case you are not sure what exactly is wrong with section 13 of the "human rights" Act and why is it more about abusing human rights than about protecting them, check out this video report by Ezra Levant:

So, for now, the government supports repealing section 13. The key word however is - for now, when they haven't yet faced any considerable pressure from the opposition. Which, of course, won't just stand idly by and let the government de-fang an institution that has "human rights" in its name. (Even if this institution is in fact a freedom-snatching committee.)

Expect the supporters of the HRC censorship to wage a fierce campaign, not so much in defense of section 13, but about "evil" "far-right" "CONservatives" that "breed hate" and that want to "roll back human rights". And, if the pressure from the vocal special interest groups is strong enough, if the opposition parties succeed in positioning themselves as staunch defenders of human rights against "Harper's tyranny", if the (predominantly left-wing) mainstream media convinces the Conservatives that most Canadians either support the "human rights" Act in its current form or don't consider the abuse caused by section 13 to be much of a concern -- the government may cave in and just let the "controversial" bill die in a committee.

So, it's not yet the time to consider the bill "as good as passed". The debate over the bill is going to be long and fierce and our side, the free speech side, too, should be vocal. ARPA Canada offers an "easy-mail" tool to contact MPs - let's use it to express our support for bill C-304, to thank MPs for their efforts and to encourage them not to give up. We shall not rest until bill C-304 receives Royal Assent. And then it will be the time for the remaining sections of the so called "human rights" Act.