Combatting Online Hate:
CLF’s Submissions to the Department of Justice
On October 19, 2020, Christian Legal Fellowship made written submissions to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, as part of the Department of Justice’s consultation re: legal remedies for victims of online hate.
CLF's submissions express support for the initiative, but urge caution in a number of areas. Specifically, CLF raises concerns about how efforts to address “hateful” speech, while well-meaning, can ultimately suppress legitimate, good faith expression, particularly since the definition of “hatred” can be highly subjective.
CLF also emphasized the need for Parliament to retain the Criminal Code’s current defence for good faith religious expression in s. 319(3)(b).
Read CLF’s submission here:
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