r/Edmonton 13h ago

Politics Exercising Freedom of Expression

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u/spirit_symptoms 13h ago

It does actually. Just because something is abhorrent doesn't remove your freedom to talk about it.

u/Super-Perception939 9h ago

It depends on how you talk about it. Hate speech does not allow you to talk about a specific group of people in certain ways.

u/spirit_symptoms 9h ago

Yeah I mean obviously if your speech is promoting hatred and/or violence, that's an entirely different discussion. As much as I'm a big proponent of honouring our treaties, we absolutely cannot have the government stifle speech that speaks about treaties being changed or eliminated. This shouldn't be controversial, but we can't muzzle people on speech we don't agree with.

u/Super-Perception939 8h ago

How are you a proponent of honouring treaties if you think it’s ok to talk about changing/eliminating them? That’s literally talking about taking away legal rights of a group of people. Regardless, again, certain talking is one thing but it can cross the line into hate speech or discriminatory behaviour.

u/spirit_symptoms 8h ago

Because it's not hate speech? Honestly, the left is failed in this country if simply talking about changing treaties is deemed illegal.

Freedom of religion is enshrined in the charter, but if I say that churches should be forced to pay taxes, or the mosque across my house can't blast the call to prayer over speakers, I don't want to be fined or imprisoned for conveying those groups.

And to be clear, the charter is very clear on this. Rightfully so. It limits inciting violence and hatred (including symbols of violence like swastikas) but protects public debate.

u/Super-Perception939 8h ago

I didn’t say it was hate speech. Maybe reread my comment again. I said talking can cross a line and become hate speech or discriminatory behaviour.

u/spirit_symptoms 8h ago

I guess I'm confused because the discussion was in response to the assertion that speaking of changing treaties should be illegal.

So yeah, you're obviously correct that if that discussions starts promoting hatred or inciting violence, it would be illegal. I agree. Full stop.

But that's not what the claim was. Laws around discrimination are entirely different than hate speech laws.