Justice Centre Weekly Season 2

Glenn takes us through a case in which the University of British Columbia cancelled a speech by journalist and activist Andy Ngo. In 2019, UBC cancelled a scheduled, on-campus speech entitled, "Understanding ANTIFA Violence," after Ngo had been invited by the student group The Free Speech Club to deliver it. The lawsuit, now at the BC Supreme Court, grapples with this question: are post-secondary institutions subject to the Canadian Charter?

Lawyer Marty Moore updates us on a still active case out of BC dealing with a pastor holding services during the 2020 Covid lockdowns. He informs us that a Jordan Application has been filed, asking the court to dismiss the case due to unreasonable delays. We use this as a springboard to discuss the Jordan Application generally.

Ezra Levant is the 2024 recipient of the Justice Centre's annual award for preserving and advancing freedom in Canada. As he looks forward to the award dinners in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary, Mr. Levant talks about some highlights in his career as the publisher of the Western Standard print magazine and the founder of Rebel News.

Justice Centre President John Carpay talks about the recipient of the 2024 George Jonas Freedom Award, Ezra Levant, and how Mr. Levant is advancing freedom in Canada through his work as advocate, journalist, and visionary within the world of independent media. We also dive into a couple of John's recent columns: one on school absenteeism and another on how skilled but unvaccinated healthcare professionals in BC and Ontario are still prevented from working in their chosen field.

Justice Centre Education Programs Coordinator Ben Klassen talks to host Kevin Steel about all the activity in his department, starting with the High School Curriculum he's helping to develop. The first module on free expression is complete, and now Ben's working on the second which focuses on freedom of religion. We hear about the upcoming essay contest and the new photography contest. And Ben talks about his soon-to-be-published report, to be posted on the Justice Centre's spiffy new website, jccf.ca, about the repercussions of Bill C-18. That's the federal legislation that tried to force online communications platforms to pay news organizations for their content.

Lawyer Lisa Bildy brings us up to date on the case of BC nurse Amy Hamm who is near the end of her disciplinary hearing before the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives. She is accused of saying there are only two genders. It began back in 2020, when she helped put up a billboard that said, "I [heart] JK Rowling". The hearings wrap up on Monday, March 18 starting at 10 AM PMT. You can view the hearing online by following the instructions at https://www.bccnm.ca/Public/complaints/Pages/Notice.aspx?NoticeID=790 Sign our petition: Stop the Online Harms Act https://www.jccf.ca/petitions/

Justice Centre President John Carpay shares his initial impressions of the federal government's Online Harms Act, unveiled on February 26. There is much he doesn't like. In fact, he calls it "a full-on frontal assault on free expression, the worst in Canadian history. Full stop." John explains why, and what the Justice Centre is going to do about it. Sign the "Stop the Online Harms Act" petition https://www.jccf.ca/petitions/

Lawyer Chris Fleury tells us about the appeal he’s filed on behalf of former Ontario MPP Randy Hillier who had challenged the province’s 2021 Covid stay-at-home orders. This appeal focuses on the right to peaceful assembly which, Fleury says, has usually taken on a secondary role in constitutional challenges behind other rights, like freedom of religion and free speech.

John Carpay recaps the issues in the Grandel v Saskatchewan case, after the appeal hearing last week. He focuses on the rule of law. The provincial government went after those who protested government lockdowns, after they gave a pass to other groups protesting other causes. John then looks at the transgender policies being introduced in Alberta. He anticipates Charter challenges once these are passed by the legislature.

Lawyer Glenn Blackett has handled cases that dealt with dissent and free expression in the professions. As doctors, nurses, lawyers and academics run afoul of their regulatory bodies, Blackett says it's time to stand up to these institutions. He explains why dissent and diversity of opinion is critical to the well-being of society.