ian@utcs.UUCP (04/17/85)
The recent discussion of Zundel and free speech and related issues
reminded me that the Conservative government is moving towards
even more ``enforcement of equality'' (an oxymoron, no?).
Bill C-20 will amend the Broadcasting Act to include the
following wording:
``The programming provided by the Canadian
broadcasting system should respect and promote
the equality and dignity of all individuals,
groups or classes of individuals regardless
of race, national or ethnic origin, colour,
religion, age or mental or physical disability.''
The Minister of Communications, Marcel Masse (nice name for person in charge
of mass communications :=)) said in a release entitled `Notes for a Speech...
to the House of Commons' (SP-85-8002E/12, Department of Communications, 1985):
``I THINK IT IMPERATIVE TO PASS LEGISLATION TO MAKE ABSOLUTELY
SURE THAT THERE IS NO PLACE FOR ABUSIVE PROGRAMS WITHIN THE
CANADIAN BROADCASTING SYSTEM. [WE] REAFFIRMED THE GOVERNMENT'S
COMMITMENT TO ENSURE THAT SOCIAL JUSTICE IN CANADA WOULD
PROGRESS AT THE SAME PACE AS THE NEEDS OF CANADIANS.'' [p 10]
(No, my caps lock did not stick by accident. That's how
they send these things out at your expense!)
(Masse continues with additional rhetoric about equality
and dignity; no mention of rights or freedom of speech
except an earlier motherhood statement to the effect
that the Charter of Rights will protect everyone.)
So, I guess this means that Zundel won't be allowed to post his
blend of swill to the Canadian TV network. Does it also mean the
stifling by force of law of anybody trying to investigate whether
some group or other actually *is* different from the rest of us in
some identifiable way?
The history of governments' ability to refrain from exercising power, once
and no matter how they obtain it, does not encourage me to believe
that freedom of speech will be respected here.
--
Ian Darwin, Toronto uucp: {ihnp4|decvax}!utcs!ian
Envoy-100: I.Darwin Bitnet: ian@utoronto