Pro- and anti- Palestine demonstrators square off at Toronto's annual Al-Quds protest on June 24, 2017. Photo: Kevin Metcalf
CJFE is deeply concerned by an administrative inquiry being conducted by Toronto Ward 10 Councillor James Pasternak. According to a report from CTV, Pasternak has asked the deputy city manager to assess the feasibility of banning ‘hate-sponsored’ rallies from city property. Some proposed remedies include the power to issue trespass orders, fine for extra police services or possibly to freeze bank accounts. Pasternak’s inquiry will be presented to the city’s executive committee before it is debated.
Pasternak acknowledges that the Supreme Court of Canada has set limits on speech through Section 1 of the Charter. He also acknowledges limitations established on speech subject to section 319 of the Canadian Criminal Code. Despite this, he suggests that the city should have more authority to set further limits. Pasternak did not provide a definition of ‘hate-sponsored’ events but his CTV interview implies he would seek to “prohibit rallies that are inciting hatred or violence.”
CJFE staff have attended far-right rallies in Toronto since they became commonplace in February 2017, in order to provide the public with information about these events, but also to understand the context in which the rallies are taking place and to provide support for people engaged in free expression. While CJFE unequivocally supports the free expression rights of all groups, we have frequently been outspoken in opposition to hateful ideals and individuals.
Video: CJFE staff were in attendance at a recent October 21 far-right 'anti-Trudeau' rally in Nathan Phillips Square.
CJFE categorically opposes the suggestion that the city of Toronto should use legislative means to prevent rallies from taking place on city property. We are also concerned that Pasternak’s definition of ‘inciting hatred and violence’ may be intended for a far broader application than demonstrations by far-right groups. Pasternak was nominated for Torontoist’s 2012 ‘Villains’ award for his role in blocking the protest group ‘Queers Against Israeli Apartheid’ from marching in Toronto Pride, and has equated peaceful civil society advocacy with the promotion of hatred. Human rights advocacy in diaspora communities is a growing target for censorship, and this suppression is frequently justified by those who deliberately blur the line between criticism of the state of Israel and hate for Jewish people.
A responsible role for the city of Toronto in countering hate would be to invite the public to challenge hateful ideas rather than exploring the application of force of law to legislate them away. In mid-August, the mayor of London, Ontario, followed this course by calling on Londoners to ‘stand up against hate’ in advance of a planned white supremacist rally. We call on the City of Toronto’s Executive Committee to explore alternatives to politically motivated censorship, to reject this inquiry and defend the Charter rights to free expression and assembly.
A copy of this letter was sent to Mayor John Tory and Ward 10 Councillor James Pasternak.
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Facebook TwitterI think it would have been safer to express yourself through written word but that as been shut down by the CBC and other online media who have decided to censor input! That is counter productive .as on one hand the government has advocated that people stay home regardless if they feel angst in regards to the lockdown but at the same time make it difficult to allow written opinion by those that have decided to write what they have to say rather than participate in first person at a protest!
Basically I think it is a measure of control being taken by the government to change public behaviour and thinking on the subject of Covid 19 virus and future public input into Canadian society!
I have no idea how one can possible express ones self, if your input will be censored and deemed unworthy while at the same time forbidden to protest in person? I do not believe it can be! So as much as we are told we live in a democratic society ,it now seems that is a actual fallacy ! All communication as been shout down on this issue and your voice regardless of civility when stated is being monitored and criticised by those that might not even live in this country .
The government should allow all conversation to be allowed publicly visible if one uses there real name and not a moniker or alias and allow the poster to take responsibility in the public sphere what I mean by this is that for years the government of Canada has been trying to clamp down on hate speech ? Personally I think that premise was intended to halt free speech and done on a false pretence in order to gain control over free speech including protests .But when you cannot protest in person and your written input is taken down regardless of truth and first hand knowledge .I cannot reply in any other way but to say, we are being taken over by forces who don’t care about what you or I have to say.
Apply for a permit next year.
See what happens.
Pics and video as well as witness accounts clearly demonstrate that the police on Aug 21 were under orders to protect the Nazis, turn a blind eye to their violence, and interfere with and arrest counter protesters. That is why they were all in a line with their backs turned to the Nazis, when some should have been facing each side to watch for any violence. They even stole sound equipment from counter protesters using the “noise by-law” excuse while permitting the Nazis to continue using their (louder) equipment. The officer in charge that day is a hardcore conservative who has run for political office three times. Biased much? These cops need to learn to leave their political, personal and racial biases at home, and those incapable of doing so should not be assigned to crowd control duty. Toronto police behaviour in crowds is a disgrace, and this needs to be dealt with before their lack of professionalism causes someone to be seriously hurt or killed.
These cops are paid by the taxpayers to be serving and protecting everyone – not just gangs of racists, white supremacists and neo-Nazis.