Canadian Human Rights Commission dismisses camplaint against Macleans

CBC News ^ | THE CANADIAN PRESS

[JBGUSA]

TORONTO - The Canadian Human Rights Commission has dismissed a complaint filed by the Canadian Islamic Congress against Maclean's magazine.

The Congress claimed an article written by Mark Steyn, entitled "The Future Belongs to Islam" and posted on the Maclean's website in October 2006, made a number of statements and assertions that were likely to expose Muslims to hatred or contempt.

In its ruling, posted on Maclean's website, the commission acknowledges "the writing is polemical, colourful and emphatic, and was obviously calculated to excite discussion and even offend certain readers, Muslim and non-Muslim alike."

But the commission also says that, overall, "the views expressed in the Steyn article, when considered as a whole and in context, are not of an extreme nature, as defined by the Supreme Court."

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[JBGUSA]

I just knew that the HRC would "dodge the bullet". If they ruled against Macleans they'd wind up with a likely successful Charter challenge, and possibly a U.S.-style "First Amendment" result. This way, the HRC's are still there as a bludgeon so less affluent targets than Macleans will still "knuckle under".

This is an utter disgrace, in my opinion.

[Billthedrill]

A Steyn BTT. This one was headed for the real Canadian court system next and I think the HRC might not have found that altogether attractive. Its very existence might have been in question. No, better to pick on the little guys who can’t afford teams of attorneys.

[Ronin]

You’re absolutely right.

What the HRC did NOT want to do is see their ruling be taken up by a higher court and possibly be overruled. They know they are on thin ice now and that Canadians are getting tired of their tyranny.

MacLeans was just too tough of a target.

Still, they have been weakened. It’s not all bad news. There is going to be a lot more people who are going to be willing to challenge their contemptible PC dogma and many more people who will be willing to support them when they do.

[JBGUSA]

Billthedrill wrote: A Steyn BTT. This one was headed for the real Canadian court system next and I think the HRC might not have found that altogether attractive. Its very existence might have been in question. No, better to pick on the little guys who can’t afford teams of attorneys.

Exactly my point.

The HRC is keeping matters such as this one, Levant and Steyn out of the "real courts" at all costs, since they can afford a "non-kangaroo" adjudication. The victories by Maclean's, Levant and Steyn does nothign to assure a speedy, inexpensive vindication of the rights of the "small fry" who deign to be politically incorrect.

[NewJerseyJoe]

Steyn and Macleans should publish another article guaranteed to "tweak" someone. It would be delicious to see a sequel....

Way to go, Mark Steyn and Maclean's!