Conservative MP Andrew Lawton at an event in Ottawa in a file photo. The Canadian Press/Spencer Colby
A Conservative MP says the case of a gender transition critic who was told by a co-panelist her remarks could constitute “hate” speech shows how codifying such definitions into law is creating an atmosphere that could lead to censorship.
“This is one of the many problems with codifying murky definitions of ‘hate’ in law. Not only does it give the state wider latitude to prosecute people for their thoughts and expressions, but it also is used by bad actors to chill speech preemptively,” Andrew Lawton said on Oct. 20.
