Sunday, May 11, 1997 — North Shore News — 5 ouncil fudges on free speech Jolanda Waskito Contributing Writer ALTHOUGH North Vancouver City councillors seemed willing to defer discussion about uphold- ing freedom of the press, they did not support urging Victoria to drop a human rights com- plaint against the North Shore News and its columnist Doug Collins. Councillors agreed they would discuss the motion that council’s “belief in the principle of free speech by condemning the restriction on free speech contained in the amendment to the Human Rights Act (Bill 33),” once they received more informa- tion on the changes and legal advice. What they didn’t agree on was the motion made by Coun. Bob Fearnley to “write a letter to the attorney general with a copy to the premier urging the government of British Columbia to withdraw all charges against Mr. Collins and the North Shore News ane repeal this unjust law.” A human rignts hearing into the complaint against the News has been set for May 12. The first three days of the hearing — May 12 to 14 — will be held at the Century Plaza Hotel, 1015 Burrard St., Vancouver. It is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on May 12. After the first three days, the hearing will move to the Police Commission boardroom, Room 407, 815 Hornby Sr., Vancouver. The complaint was filed May 26, 1994, by the Canadian Jewish Congress over a March 9, 1994, News column written by Collins. The News maintains that section 2 of the NDP-authored Human Rights Code violates Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms by infringing upon the newspaper's right of free expres- sion and by extension infringes upon the right of free expression worth vancouver Gity: Council Motion to oppose rights amendments stalled in hail of all British Columbians. None of the city councillors at Monday’s meeting — Stella Jo Dean was absent ~- would second Fearnley’s motion to defer its discussion. Fearnley’s motion to uphold freedom of the press and urge the dropping of the complaint against the News came after the April 7 decision by North Vancouver District council to do exactly thar. “For those of you who don’t know me, I'd like to tell you my wife is one of those Asian immigrants that Mr. Collins regularly condemns in his columns,” Fearnley said at the meeting. “I have to tell you I worry some- times about what would become of my wife and children if people of Mr. Collins’ views of the world ever came to power in this country. “As for the North Shore News, anyone with half a brain knows that the only reason this nonsense is published is because it’s controversial and because people love to read what is controversial — it sells advertising.” Fearnley said that Collins “should be free to write and speak his viewpoints no matter who it offends.” “I don’t know many people here would have any experience of living in a country where people regularly go to jail for their views, when a government takes people from their beds in the middle of the night and are found years later in shallow graves outside rown. “I have had this experience living in the Philippines and I want to tell you that I think that putting up with Doug Collins and some of the nonsense that he spreads is but a small price to pay when you consider the alternative.” Coun. Barbara Perrault agreed with Fearnley that freedom of speech and of the press is important, “as long as there is full and fair opportunity for those who hold cuntrary views tu be heard and printed.” However, “it doesn’t give anyone the right to shout “fire” in a crowded theatre, nor does it give them the right to threat- en with bodily harm — this constitutes verbal arson and clear- ly is not in the public interest.” Coun. John Braithwaite also agreed with freedom of speech but said he needed more information on the Human Rights act. “IT haven’r read the B.C. Human Rights Act or any amend- ment so | can‘t really comment in terms of asking the govern- ment to retract,” Braithwaite said. Coun. Darrell Mussatto said the News had a “tainted hiszo- ty,” and that “it’s interesting to note that the Vancouver Sun, the Pravince and all the major radio stations are not jumping on this bandwagon of freedom of speech.” Coun. Barbara Sharp agreed with Mussatto that the News “is not lily-white.” “They certainly print things whenever they feel like printing udngs and people co nor have the ability to counteract what has been said,” Sharp said. “So it’s all very fine whe they are put in a position where they have a problem — they can’t respond cnough. But they certainly put a lot of people in the position (where) they can’t respond.” “I belicve thar this legislation was changed in part due to the difference between freedom of speech and promotion of hatred. I cerrainty don’t teel qualified enough to make the deci- sion against Mr. Collins and the News when [ don’t even know what the issue is.” On June 23, 1993, the NDP government passed Bill 33, the amended Human Rights Act, which prohibits the publication of material that “indicates discrimination” or is “likely ta expose a person or a yroup or class of persons to hatred or contempt.” Additional human rights amendments brought in under Bill 32 further empowered the government’s human rights machin- ery to seek out alleged human rights violations and complaints abour discrimination without a complainant. Waldorf founding teacher WELL-KNOWN North Vancouver resident Colin Dutson died sud- denly on May 8. Mr. Dutson, administrator of the Waldor! school at 2775 St. Christophers Rd. in Lynn Valley, collapsed and died in his . office at school, apparently a victim ofa massive heart atrack. Mr. Dutson was 54. Born in England, Mr. Dutson was one of the two founding -teachers of the Waldorf clementary school in 1971. He journeyed with each CORRECTION of his classes through the cight primary grades as is the prac- tice in the Waldorf educational system. He also taught lan- guages to several generations of children enrolled ar the school. Prior to iwaching at the Waldorf school, Mr. Durson taught at St. Georges School in Vancouver. He loved sports and played rugby. Colleague Philip Thaccher said, “Colin was a big warm man with a loving heart, will- ing to love and very under- standing of children. He was beloved by the children that he came in contact with. A great many children, some now adults, will have very fond memories of this gentle giant ofa man.” North Shore News pub- lisher Peter Speck remembered Mr. Dutson as a person chil- dren naturally related to. “For such a big man, he had an affinity for and a way with children chat never ceased to amaze me. He liked to have fun and tell stories. He taught my children with love and grace. [ became friends with Colin aad his family, and I will miss him,” said Speck. Mr. Dutson was a long- time member — of — the Anthroposophical Society. Mr, Dutson is survived by his wife Angela and their chil- dren, Natalie, Alistair and Michael, who are graduates of the Waldorf high school in Edgemont Village. Funeral services will be heid on Monday, May 12, ac 10 am., Chnstian Community Church, 5050 East Hastings in Burnaby. The Rev. Werner Grimm will preside. BECAUSE of an editing error in the May 4 News story “Vicroria OKs nvire emissions,” Howe Sound Pulp and Paper mill environment superintendent Al Strang appeared to say that the mill could add ar extra 300 tonnes of sulphur dioxide to Lower Mainland air cach year under a newly relaxed permit. In fact, Doug Caldwell of ISCA Management Ltd. pro- http://www.nsnews.com or vided those figures. Considering Kelowna? 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