Canadian Constitution Foundation

A golden opportunity to kill human-rights censorship

With the Whatcott case, a 20-year-old Supreme Court precedent may finally be overturned

Karen Selick

National Post, November 3, 2010

The Supreme Court of Canada has agreed to reconsider 20-year-old jurisprudence that limits free speech. The case under appeal is The Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission vs. William Whatcott.

Back in 2001 and 2002, Whatcott, a social conservative activist, distributed flyers in Regina and Saskatoon bearing headings such as "Keep Homosexuality out of Saskatoon's Public Schools" and "Sodomites in our Public Schools."

Politicians allow hurt feelings to trump basic rights

Another court win for freedom of expression

John Carpay

Calgary Herald, March 5, 2010

Last week the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal ruled that William Whatcott will not have to pay $17,500 to four gay complainants whose feelings were hurt by polemical flyers he distributed in 2001 and 2002. Whatcott opposed the introduction of homosexuality into Saskatoon's public school curriculum. The court reproduced Whatcott's flyers in its decision (available at www.CanadianConstitutionFoundation.ca),noting that his language would be considered by many as "crude, offensive, and pejorative."

Politicians, not courts, at fault for assault on free speech

John Carpay

National Post, September 27, 2008

Should Bill Whatcott be required to pay $17,500 to four individuals who were offended by the flyers he distributed? In 2001 and 2002, Whatcott distributed flyers articulating his opposition to teaching homosexuality in Saskatoon's public schools.

There's no monopoly on truth

John Carpay

National Post, September 2, 2008

Should a man be forced to pay $17,500 to four individuals who felt offended by the flyers he distributed?

The Saskatchewan Court of Appeal will answer this question when it considers the appeal of William Whatcott this September.