under the Civil 2~ Wadnesday, Auguat 8, 1007 » North Shoro Nows Council condemns free speech limits By dolanda Waskito Contriluting Weiter NORTH Vancouver City council finally voted to condemn the restrictions on free apeech contained in the provincial govern. ment’s Human Rights Act amendments, but not because councillors are fans of North Shore News columnist Doug Collins. The Monday night debate became heated as councillors argued about democracy, free- dom, hate literature, racism and the media, After three meetings in which council debated the motion to condemn the Human Rights Act amend- ments, it was carried in a 5-2 vote, Opposed were cauncil- lors ‘Darrell Mussatto and John Braithwaite, Previously, the majority of city councillors opposed a motion to urge the provin- cial government to drop charges laid against the North Shore News and Collins under the human rights legislation. month-long human rights hearing into a com- plaint lodged by the Canadian Jewish Congress against the News and Collins wrapped up on June 27, The complaint alleged that a March 9, 1994, Collins col- umn was likely to expose Jews to hatred. A decision from Nitya Lyer, the tribunal of one hearing the case, is expected later this year, Coun. John Braithwaite said he didn’t support the motion to condemn the changes to the Human Rights Act. He said the issue was “hate literature, not freedom of speech.” Braithwaite added that hate literature has been increasing, yet only one case has been filed in recent years Rights Protection Act. “And that was thrown out because of — credibility,” Braithwaite said. Coun. Darrell Mussatto, who also voted against the niotion, said “the right to free speech is not and never has been ‘regarded as absolute,” and that “(free speech) must be subject to reasonable tim- -Auto * Homeowners * Travel nerth vancouver City Council W “We have (o make sure that we don't dnette Iatred,” he said “We lave to have some fegistation and the WC, Pluman Rights Code is in tine wlth that.” But = Coun, Barbara Perrault, who disagreed, sald democracy i is at stake, “(Demueracy’s) existence is very, very fragile," Perrault its, said. “Um concerned that if We start tinkering, that even- tually there will be a big era- slon of freedom of speech, “T believe it was Voltaire that said ‘L may disagree vehe- mently with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it’ ” She said that as long as there is a platform and a stip- ulation to hear and oppose views, dissident or not, then democracy i is alive and well, She said that where the B.C, press council and the ress have failed is “they ave not, in my opinion, policed themselves enough when it comes to certain columnists who have ‘wacky’ views, “However, people don’t have ta read them. If you don’t like certain radio com- mentators ... E can turn my radio off.” Coun, Barbara Sharp blast- ed the news media and the North Shore News for pro- viding only “half- truths and half comments.” As for Collins, Sharp said she wasn’t convinced Doug Collins is innocent, “Whether the legislation was changed or not, there’s nothing to say that (Collins) isn’t guilty," she added. Sharp said she would be supporting the motion to condemn the Human Rights restrictions on free speech because “the Civil Rights Protection Act says if you could prove that the purpose was that people were putting forward hatred or contempt, or whatever, then that was the reason pecple could be found guilty, of being in contraven- tion of that Act.” Mayor Jack Loucks and Coun. Stella Jo Dean both were bothered by the fact that the Human Rights Tribunal deciding the fate of Collins consists of one person. “f think it’s better to have Defietix-Saxelby Ninsurance eServices Inc. 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