Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Might I reply that there is a vast difference between promoting hatred against people and offending or hurting the feelings of people?

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  The Criminal Code of Canada, in section 319, creates the offence of wilfully promoting hatred. And the courts, in hearing prosecutions under this section, have demanded a very high standard of proof from the crown. The crown is obliged to lead evidence that demonstrates that the accused actually intended and did attempt to promote hatred, which the courts have defined as abhorrence and detestation against an identifiable group of people.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I understand the direction of your sentiments, but life in a democracy requires robust citizens.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Go ahead, please.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  May I be permitted to say...?

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  That is the classic example of the kind of argumentative technique used by people who support the thought police who say that if I argue in favour of free expression, I'm in favour of the persecution of Asians, Africans, and homosexuals. I make a principled argument, sir, in favour of freedom of expression.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I'll quickly go through the most horrifying. It involves a man named Stephen Boissoin, who lived in Red Deer, Alberta. Mr. Boissoin was not impressed with some of the political activities of homosexuals. He took out an ad in the local paper, the Red Deer Advocate, to express his views.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Since I wish to talk about freedom of expression, let me begin by stressing that freedom of expression is a human right. If you're familiar with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article 19 guarantees freedom of expression. It is generally forgotten in this country that freedom of expression is a human right, which seems bizarre in a country in which the very notion of human rights seems to be utterly elastic and limitless.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Thank you very much. Insofar as time is concerned, my son just gave me an ultimatum that I must be standing on Wellington Street at 1:15 waiting for him.