For future reference
For Manish, who has a habit of informing me that Canadians have free speech too, comes this:
A high school teacher in British Columbia, punished for writing publicly against homosexuality, is not protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the province’s Supreme Court has ruled.
Chris Kempling, a teacher and guidance counsellor in a Quesnel high school said the ruling by the B.C. Supreme Court is “a significant blow to freedom of speech and freedom of religion,” denying Christian teachers the right to speak out on controversial issues. Kempling says he intends to appeal the ruling.
In 2002, the British Columbia College of Teachers suspended Kempling for one month for “professional misconduct or conduct unbecoming a BCCT member.”
It had been investigating a complaint received after Kempling wrote a series of letters to his local newspaper between 1997 and 2000 saying homosexuality was wrong.
February 6th, 2004 at 3:28 pm
Are we stating that similarly looney decisions don’t come out of US courts?
February 6th, 2004 at 3:37 pm
Not at all.
February 6th, 2004 at 4:28 pm
I would agree that this decision goes too far, but as Manish points out, it’s hardly unique to Canada, and one ruling does nothing to diminish Manish’s assertion that Canadians also have free speech rights. If you wanted to get into a game of tit-for-tat, I’m sure Manish could come up with examples of the US infringing on speech that the Canadians would never dream of.
But IMO, as long as the guy isn’t acting in his official capacity, or using his official capacity to gain exposure, he ought to have a right to spout off whatever bigoted idiocy he wants to.
February 6th, 2004 at 4:34 pm
I’ve never claimed that speech wasn’t restricted in the US.
February 6th, 2004 at 5:13 pm
As long as you are being consistant, I see no harm or foul.
February 6th, 2004 at 5:42 pm
Free Speach in Canada
This story via SayUncle, who chides me for claiming that free speach exists in Canada, comes this story: Chris Kempling, a teacher and guidance counsellor in a Quesnel high school said the ruling by the B.C. Supreme Court is “a…