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A proposed bill would penalize Canadians if they are simply suspected of intending to post “hate speech” online.
In other words, the bill would allow courts to punish Canadians for things they hadn’t even done yet – or might not even do.
The bill was noticed by a tech insider who also pointed out the bill’s “fuzzy and circular definition” of “hate speech.”
Alarming aspects, in ascending order:
1) Fuzzy and circular definition of “hateful” speech (“involves detestation…stronger than dislike”)
2) Encouraging citizens to report on one another — creepy
3) The ability to punish people for something they haven’t actually done yet (!)
— Lulu Cheng Meservey (@lulumeservey) February 23, 2022
In fact, Canadian media outlets first reported on the bill last June, but the bill is not under further scrutiny after the Canadian government’s heavy-handed response to the recent Ottawa trucker protest.
The Global News of Canada reported that Bill C-36 would “allow a person to appear before a provincial court” if the person “fears” (as in suspects) that another will commit a “hate” offense, which includes speech online.
Critics of the bill said it would infringe on free speech.
“This bill will not target hate speech — just ensure bureaucrats in Ottawa are bogged down with frivolous complaints about tweets,” Conservative Shadow Minister for Justice Rob Moore said. “The Trudeau Liberals are empowering a bureaucracy to subjectively restrict the rights of Canadians.”