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Friday, May 30, 2008
Government to launch inquiry into CHRC "investigative techniques"
Ezra Levant is reporting on his blog that...
The Conservative government has introduced a motion to Parliament's Justice Committee proposing an investigation into the abusive, corrupt practises of the Canadian Human Rights Commission. The motion specifically refers to public "concerns" about the CHRC's "investigative techniques" and their "interpretation and application" of the section 13 thought crimes provision.
Read his complete post here.
This is a major triumph in the battle for free speech.
Posted by Matthew Johnston on May 30, 2008 | Permalink
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From the email Ezra linked:
"Canada's record on human rights is second to none; it is a record of which all Canadians can be proud."
From the 2007 Amnesty International Report:
http://thereport.amnesty.org/eng/regions/americas/canada
"The government refused to address the disparity in funding for Indigenous child protection agencies. Canada voted against adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in September and subsequently argued that the Declaration did not apply in Canada."
"Maher Arar, a Canadian national who was the victim of an illegal transfer (rendition) from the USA to Syria in 2002, received an official government apology and compensation from the government in January. However, many of the recommendations from the public inquiry into his case were not implemented. An inquiry into the role of Canadian officials in the cases of three Canadian citizens – Abdullah Almalki, Ahmed El-Maati and Muayyed Nureddin – detained and tortured abroad was marred by excessive secrecy."
"The authorities failed to institute a national strategy to address violence and discrimination against Indigenous women or to take steps to implement long-standing recommendations regarding women in federal prisons. Restrictions on funding to women’s organizations involved in advocacy continued, resulting in closures of some groups and cutbacks."
"In November, the Federal Court ruled that the Safe Third Country agreement between Canada and the USA violated the Charter of Rights and international law. The government appealed against the decision. At the end of the year legislation was before Parliament which would require the government to implement the refugee appeal provisions in the 2001 Immigration and Refugee Protection Act."
"At least four people died following the use of tasers (electro-shock weapons) by police. The death of Polish national Robert Dziekanski at Vancouver International Airport after being tasered at least twice by police in October led to numerous reviews and a provincial public inquiry."
"In October, Canada reversed a long-standing policy, stating that clemency would no longer be sought for Canadian citizens sentenced to death in democratic countries that adhere to the rule of law."
Sure, there are many worse places out there, but shouldn't one look up, not down when making claims about ones achievements?
Posted by: Snowrunner | 2008-05-31 12:14:01 AM
Given the brainless way the Opposition Parties are performing in the HOC, don't have much hope of co-operation from them on this motion. More especially now because the HRC's are dealing with complaints against Conservatives and they wouldn't want to interfere with that. It's the Leftards who keep them in business.
Posted by: Liz J | 2008-05-31 6:25:07 AM
Finally some good news and to hear Nicholson say it...and Steyn thought that he was in the Witness Protection program!
It will, though, take a full blown RCMP criminal inquiry to determine who did what, where and when and under what ID.
The CHRC has not exactly been forthcoming on Access to Information requests which is a likely indication of not being as open and transparent about others rights as they expect others to be.
Cover-up and shredding?
Posted by: The LS from SK | 2008-06-01 10:37:17 AM
Snowrunner, I'm not sure what your point is. None of the incidents you mention have any bearing on the HRC affair. Just because it's called the Human Rights Tribunal doesn't mean it has the power to investigate the incidents you mention.
Perhaps one of the first things about this committee to be reviewed, therefore, should be its overly grandiose title.
Posted by: Shane Matthews | 2008-06-01 11:24:49 AM
Snowrunner, I'm not sure what your point is. None of the incidents you mention have any bearing on the HRC affair. Just because it's called the Human Rights Tribunal doesn't mean it has the power to investigate the incidents you mention.
Posted by: Shane Matthews | 1-Jun-08 11:24:49 AM
That was exactly my point. The wonderful Minister goes on to laud just how great the Governments Human Rights record is, and hence the investigation. AI meanwhile shows there is ample wrong with the Governments conduct.
It is sort of telling that the "champions of human rights" get all up in arms over "Free Speech issues" while they let the Government (at times almost literally) get away with Murder.
Certainly the way any Government agency (even one at arms length) operates needs to be reviewed, but this is more of a political ploy to distract than anything serious.
Posted by: Snowrunner | 2008-06-01 11:54:10 AM
Hi Snow, are you suggesting that the free speech issues surrounding the HRC's is a Federal government ploy to "distract" from more pressing matters? Your arguments are usually more cogent than that. The feds are being pulled kicking and screaming into all of this my friend. The CPC would like nothing better than to distance itself from this mess because a) they are a weakened minority government position and b) any actual support of the "free speechers" could be spun hysterically by the usual suspects into some "far right crypto-fascist assault on minority rights in Canada". Or words to that effect.
Posted by: Dave Tracey | 2008-06-01 8:16:47 PM
There's this curious concept in law that police and other investigators have to operate within the law.
If Warman and his ilk were posting stuff of alleged neo-Nazi website that could be construed as incitement of hatred against an identifiable group (or whatever the definition is), then by the concepts of common law, they should be found as guilty as anybody.
I recall an incident way back when an Alberta MLA was caught soliciting a prostitute. He claimed he was ‘investigating.'
Didn't wash back then. Should not wash now.
Free speech is free speech. But the most offended man in Canada, Warman, should also be held liable for his actions and also for the actions of those investigators he corrupted.
Posted by: set you free | 2008-06-02 8:04:47 AM
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