Tuesday, November 18, 2008

What Happens in Winterpeg Shouldn't Stay In Winterpeg

Believe it or not, this is an amendment I could really support ... which is highly unusual for me when it comes to Canada's Conservative Party.

But one of the resolutions passed (and reportedly approved by 99% of the nearly 2,000 party members) at the party's first national policy convention since 2003 [held in Winnipeg, hence the post title] called on the party to get behind legislation that would "remove authority from the Canadian Human Rights Commission and Tribunal to regulate, receive, investigate or adjudicate complaints related to Section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act."

That's right, they're talking about getting rid of that nasty Sec. 13 in the Human Rights Act, which makes it an offence for a person to communicate telephonically or by internet "any matter that is likely to expose a person or persons to hatred or contempt by reason of the fact that that person or those persons are identifiable on the basis of a prohibited ground of discrimination".

Yeah, that one.

And, honestly, I wouldn't shed any tears over it's removal. It should be interesting to see what [if anything] happens next.

Apparently, some issues can actually unite, at least some, groups "from the left, right and moderate centre". Who knew?

Cross-posted on The Flight Deck

No comments: