Wednesday, November 26, 2008, 05:58 PM - Justice
Jackboots at University of Calgary
November 26, 2008
When the federal Human Rights Commission tried to censor Mark Steyn and Maclean's magazine, using the Section 13 "hate speech" provisions of the Canadian Human Rights Act, media across Canada howled with outrage- and the CHRC backed down. Then members at the Conservative Party convention gave double majority to a proposal to end the use of Section 13.
Many saw those events as victories for free speech in Canada--but don't start celebrating just yet! This precious principle is threatened in the very place where it ought to be most revered: our university campuses. As the late Professor Allan Bloom wrote in his epochal 1987 study The Closing of the American Mind, "political correctness" has become the dominant philosophy of post-secondary education, trumping free debate and open enquiry.
However, some courageous students at the University of Calgary are putting themselves and their academic careers on the line to defend free speech for all Canadians. Campus Pro Life (CPL) has been using graphic images from the Genocide Awareness Project (GAP) to provoke fellow students to reflect on the humanity of children killed by abortion.
There is a history to this movement:
* In the 18th century, people of African ancestry were not legally "persons"; that was wrong, so we changed it.
* Until 1929 in Canada, women were not legally "persons"; that was wrong, so we changed it.
* Today, pre-born children are not legally "persons'; that's wrong, and CPL is one of many groups working to correct that injustice. GAP is their "textbook".
But the University has called in its lawyers to silence CPL. They warn CPL that their signs are to be allowed on campus only if they are turned inward, so they cannot be seen. And the lawyers claim Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms doesn't apply on a university campus! Really?!?
The University of Calgary's 2008-09 calendar states:
"The University of Calgary community has undertaken to be guided by the following statements of purpose and values: To promote free inquiry and debate- [and] [t]o respect, appreciate, and encourage diversity."
But on a modern Canadian university campus, apparently, "diversity" is limited to ideas the administration's censors deem acceptable.
Jim Hnatiuk, Leader of the Christian Heritage Party, notes that CPL members seek only their legal right to peacefully express their opinions free from censorship that has no basis in law, and no basis in the University's own rules, regulations, policies or by-laws.
The university's lawyers say the administration is concerned that the graphic signs might "trigger violence"; however, in the five years the signs have been displayed on campus, the only violence was from those who tried to prevent the signs from being seen. The administration's new policy means violent thugs can now silence others' opinions merely by threatening violence--and the University will support them! Jackbooted thugs triumph over reason--on a university campus! And the U of C is not the only university where this stifling of free speech is taking place. It's happening all across Canada.
This is not a "university only" or "Alberta only" issue. This is part of a much bigger trend in Canada toward muzzling the free speech of Canadians whose viewpoints are deemed politically incorrect. What is happening on the U of C Campus affects us all.
These brave CPL students at the U of C could face suspension--even expulsion--for taking a stand on behalf of the rights of all Canadians. They could be prevented from completing their degrees. Their display and their courageous stand begin today. They urgently need our support and encouragement - today!
Please take a few moments to join them in their stand by phoning or emailing the Office of the President of the U of C.
To make a donation (there will be legal expenses, now that the University has called in its taxpayer-funded lawyers), send your cheque to:
Campus Pro-Life
PO Box 84065
Calgary, AB, T3A 5C4
To send a message of encouragement, write: prolife@ucalgary.ca
To express your opinion, phone or write:
Dr. Harvey Weingarten, President,
Executive Suite
Administration Building, Room 100
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, AB; T2N 1N4
Phone: (403) 220-5460
Fax: (403) 289-6800
E-mail: president@ucalgary.ca
and/or
Lanny Fritz, Director of Campus Security,
University of Calgary
MSC 260
2500 University Dr NW
Calgary, AB; 2TN 1N4
Email: lfritz@ucalgary.ca
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Tuesday, November 25, 2008, 10:29 AM - Child Care
Below is an article which appeared on University of Calgary - Campus Pro-life website. http://campusprolife.com:8080/cpl/index.jspx
Please encourage and pray for these students on the front lines.
You can contact them at prolife@ucalgary.ca
Vicki
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
These words of Voltaire are being ignored by the University of Calgary and we, their own students and the victims of their oppression, wish to expose their censorship, intimidation, and bully-tactics . We implore our fellow Canadians-who may disapprove of what we say but who will defend our right to say it-to support our rights to free speech, to communicate their disagreement to U of C, and to withdraw support from the university until U of C upholds academic freedom.
We have been threatened with suspension, expulsion, and arrest. Why? Because we dare to peacefully express our unpopular opinion. If it can happen to us, it can happen to you.
We are members of Campus Pro-Life (CPL), a U of C student club that seeks to educate about abortion. Each semester on campus since 2006, we have peacefully exhibited the Genocide Awareness Project (GAP)-an outdoor exhibit that visually compares abortion to historical atrocities, such as the Holocaust. We have always been non-violent and respectful, engaging in reasoned, calm discussion with passersby.
In the latest of a series of what can only be called a systematic denial of liberty of those who disagree with the majority, the University of Calgary has told us that our GAP display is banned from campus unless we point our signs inwards. Being told to turn our signs inwards is like being told we can express our views as long as nobody can hear us. Being told we can express ourselves, but with our signs inwards, is like telling black people they can ride the bus-but demanding they sit at the back. It's unconscionable!
To make matters worse, our own student union - to whom we are forced to pay membership - has told us they will likely impose penalties on our club, up to and including de-sanctioning, if we defy U of C.
In supporting the university's oppression of students the S.U. has become the very beast its existence was supposed to prevent. They have ceased to fight for the rights of students and have become one with the body they were to guard against. Does the Students Union not realize that their accepting the suppression of one set of students opens the path for a more general suppression? Clearly they have forsaken both wisdom and justice.
U of C has told our club that if our members dare to defy the university, and exhibit our signs outwards as we have for years, then those members could face arrest and charges of non-academic misconduct up to and including expulsion. We shall not allow intimidation to stifle our spirit of determination. If we back down, who then will stand? If our rights are taken from us, whose rights shall be guaranteed? There is no compromise with viewpoint discrimination. We demand freedom.
And freedom is a keystone upon which our country was built. Thousands of our bravest have died in defence of this principle. We Canadians proudly declare "the true North strong and free." But, from St. John's on the Atlantic to Victoria on the pacific, an iron curtain is descending around university campuses across Canada.
Pro-life students at Lakehead University, The University of Guelph, UBC Okanagan, the University of Victoria, as well as many others, have faced repercussions, up to and including de-sanctioning or disallowing of their clubs, because of their moral beliefs. Is freedom of speech only to be extended to those who shout the party line? If so, then the Soviet Union was also an ardent exponent for freedom of expression!
Despite pleas and arguments for the restoration of their freedoms, on many campuses pro-life advocates are facing increasingly intolerant opposition. Broken and betrayed, free speech is receding into darkness.
Arrest, the police have told us, could result in consequences that would haunt us all our lives. Of what meaning should the rest of our lives be if we had no liberty? If we allow ourselves to be meekly stripped of liberty, who then will stop this same perversion from occurring to other fellow Canadians? As the fiery Patrick Henry once declared to a nation on the brink of independence, "Give me liberty or give me death!"
Francis Fukayama once wrote on "The End of History," will a time come when our generation shall be forced to write on the end of democracy? For democracy itself hangs in the balance. Without freedom of expression, voting is devoid of any purpose, for all candidates would be identical.
Democracy is the thin line that separates us from the regimes of Stalin, Mao and Castro. If this line does not hold then our country shall become a dictatorship. Negotiate, the university tells us, and you will save your futures. But the right to life and the right to freedom of speech to defend that life are non-negotiable. History shows that those appease for the sake of peace or harmony will inevitably be drawn to war. Neville Chamberlain, the Prime Minister of Britain in 1938, proclaimed peace for his age because he seemingly negotiated a settlement with Hitler. Three years later Britain faced annihilation.
Shall we, like as many Chamberlains, appease the modern Hitler? Shall we allow not only our rights but those of every Canadian citizen to be trampled underfoot? We may be punished for our stand, but the price of freedom is sacrifice. The University of Calgary seeks to end the reign of justice. We cannot - we will not - allow it. So let them do what they will, for we shall do what we must.
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Tuesday, November 11, 2008, 06:38 AM - Miscellaneous
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Saturday, November 8, 2008, 03:37 AM - Miscellaneous
November 07, 2008
For Immediate Release
A key aspect of this year's Christian Heritage Party convention was its leadership vote. Ron Gray, the Party Leader for the past 13 years is passing the torch to Jim Hnatiuk, a zealous candidate and party recruiter in Nova Scotia.
CHP delegates gave their resounding support with the first ballot win for Mr. Hnatiuk, who held the party's Deputy Leader position since 2005. Mr. Hnatiuk was one of three candidates to run for the leadership of the party. The party wants to thank Harold Ludwig and Rod Taylor for their candidacies.
Jim Hnatiuk has been a dynamic member of the CHP ever since he first joined in 2002. He became the Interim Nova Scotia President prior to being named the Deputy Leader. The party's only candidate in Atlantic Canada in the 2004 election (against incumbent Scott Brison) and 2006 election (against incumbent Gerald Keddy), he has worked tirelessly to expand the CHP's presence in Eastern Canada. As a result, the party ran five candidates in Nova Scotia in the recent election.
"I am absolutely encouraged by the overwhelming support I received," Jim Hnatiuk said. "It gives me the confidence to move forward with the goals and focus that I brought forward in my campaign."
Hnatiuk, who has spent a great deal of time thinking about improving the quality of the CHP's image, experimenting with various strategies in his own campaigns, is looking forward to strengthening the party's recruiting methods and building the membership across Canada, from coast to coast to coast.
Hnatiuk also wants to fill what he sees as a gap in the CHP's platform by developing policy to deal with the various concerns of the poor and low-income Canadians.
Hnatiuk was thrilled to see the increased number of delegates at this convention. "Many of the delegates here are young people," he said, "and they are the ones at the microphones, debating the resolutions."
Hnatiuk has been married to Ellen for 35 years They have two children and two grandchildren. He operates the largest hunting, fishing and taxidermy business in Nova Scotia. He retired from the Canadian Forces in 1995 after 25 years of service having attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer 1st Class.
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Wednesday, November 5, 2008, 02:04 AM - Miscellaneous
Tomorrow our Leadership Convention begins in London Ontario.
We have three very able men who are seeking leadership of the CHP.
You can find their bios at:
Jim Hnatiuk http://hnatiukforchpleader.blogspot.com/
Harold Ludwig http://www.haroldludwig.ca/
Rod Taylor http://rodtaylorchpleadership.blogspot.com/
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Wednesday, October 15, 2008, 02:30 PM - Miscellaneous
"I am a Canadian,
free to speak without fear,
free to worship in my own way,
free to stand for what I think right,
free to oppose what I believe wrong,
or free to choose those
who shall govern my country.
This heritage of freedom
I pledge to uphold
for myself and all mankind."
John Diefenbaker
From the Canadian Bill of Rights,
July 1, 1960.
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