Canadian educators need education on hate speech

by Ed Morgan

This commentary was first published in the National Post on March 22, 2010.

Educate yourself about Canada’s hate laws, the Provost of the University of Ottawa told conservative pundit Ann Coulter in advance of her visit. Campus authorities apparently fear Coulter’s reputation for provocative views. They would remind her that unlike in the United States, hate speech is outlawed here and our defamation laws are strictly enforced.

No one who knows Aaron Mills was surprised to hear the law student was selected to receive the 2009 University of Toronto’s President’s Award for Outstanding Native Student of the Year.

“Aaron has been an extremely active member of the law school community,” said Alexis Archbold, assistant dean (students).  “In particular, his efforts have made a very meaningful impact on the Indigenous Law Journal and Aboriginal Law Students Association.”

In the wake of two Supreme Court of Canada decisions regarding libel cases, Prof. Jacob Ziegel analyzes their implications for libel law and free expression in the media ("Libel-law relief," January 5, 2010).

Read the full commentary.

In the National Post, Prof. Jacob Ziegel has written a commentary about the power of provincial law societies to charge lawyers for opinions they express about the judicial system, and how this relates to the right of free speech guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms ("You can't say that: muzzled lawyers," December 12, 2009).

Read the full commentary.