Hate-fuelled harassment deserves a firm legal answer. But Canada’s Bill C-9—also known as the Combating Hate Act—risks the criminalization of non-obstructive protests near community institutions, serving more as a tool to stifle political protest than to combat hate. As currently drafted, Bill C-9 would establish new intimidation and obstruction offences[Read More…]
Tag: free speech
The politics of remembrance: The Yankees’ selective tribute to Charlie Kirk
On Sept. 10, American right-wing activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk, was fatally shot by Tyler Robinson on the Utah Valley University campus. Kirk’s death has sparked significant debate over the appropriateness of mourning him, given his bigoted political views. Professional athletes’ reactions have ranged from Instagram[Read More…]
Reconceptualizing free speech on an unequal campus
The debate over free speech in higher education has attracted significant attention in recent months. Elite universities, such as Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), have received international attention as raging conservative movements take down administrations while these same administrators stumble over institutional oppression. Recent right-wing backlash against[Read More…]
‘What Rough Beast’ explores the power and pitfalls of political discourse
Universities often reflect our broader society in terms of both shared values and differences, creating a privileged microcosm of the world. By setting her newest play, What Rough Beast, on a college campus, playwright Alice Abracen condenses complex political dynamics into a conversation between seven characters. Her script examines the[Read More…]
Max Bell School of Public Policy hosts conference about free speech
McGill’s Max Bell School of Public Policy and the Faculty of Law’s Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism hosted a conference on Nov. 25 titled “Humour, Hate and Harm: Rethinking dignity, equality and freedom of expression after the Supreme Court’s decision in Ward v. Quebec.” The five-hour discussion featured[Read More…]
Senate discusses free speech and naming policies
McGill’s Senate convened for the third time this academic year on Nov. 20 to discuss the lack of policies in place for screening external organizations that use McGill facilities, the naming of university assets, and the future of international diversity on campus. Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) Vice-President (VP)[Read More…]
Free speech protects all ideologies, not just conservatism
The 2018 Campus Freedom Index (CFI) bestowed the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) an F grade for its lack of free speech protections and a C for its political practices in 2018. The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedom (JCCF) sponsors the CFI, an annual assessment of the successes and[Read More…]
Task Force on Respect and Inclusion must start and end with student experiences
The Principal’s Task Force on Respect and Inclusion held an open forum on Jan. 24. It was the first of a series of student consultations about diversity and respectful expression at McGill, and how to best ensure that student life is inclusive of all students. The Task Force is to[Read More…]
New frontiers need rules: University policy must address the internet
This summer, Dalhousie University student and Vice-President (VP) Academic and External of the Student Union, Masuma Khan expressed frustration with the Canada 150 celebration via Facebook, emphasizing solidarity with indigenous students and calling out white students for their continued support of the revelry. The post was reported by a fellow[Read More…]
Playing the polite host: How Harbison critics made a statement without saying anything at all
As I sat waiting for George Harbison’s “The Victims of Socialism” talk, hosted by the Conservative Association at McGill University, one thing was clear: Its organizers were hoping for the best, but had prepared for the worst. A uniformed security officer guarded the door, and several more were inside, along[Read More…]