Liberals introduce online hate speech bill hours after Commons adjourns for summer – By The Canadian Press (National Post) / June 23 2021
The bill would amend the Canadian Human Rights Act to reinstate an amended version of the controversial Section 13 that was repealed in 2013
OTTAWA — The Liberal government has introduced a bill it says will protect Canadians from online hate speech, insisting it is committed to the legislation despite announcing it hours after the House of Commons rose for a summer break.
The bill would amend the Canadian Human Rights Act to reinstate an amended version of a controversial section that was repealed in 2013 amid widespread criticism that it violated freedom of speech rights. It also amends the Criminal Code and Youth Criminal Justice Act.
It would more narrowly define hatred to mean “the emotion that involves detestation or vilification” that is “stronger than dislike or disdain.” And it would specify that a statement would not be considered hate speech “solely because it discredits, humiliates or offends.”
“Hate and vilification are realities for Indigenous people, Asian, Jewish and Black Canadians, LGBTQ2 people and people with disabilities,” said Justice Minister David Lametti at a news conference Wednesday. “And some of the worst examples of hate are visible online, in that virtual public space.”
