Government MP: HRCs are "kangaroo courts that selectively oppress Canadians"

Brad Trost is the Conservative MP for Saskatoon-Humboldt. A proud constituent of his sent me a copy of his column, written earlier this summer, on the subject of human rights commissions.

Is it by far the strongest criticism of the HRCs that I have heard from anyone in Parliament to date. You can see it on his website here (scroll down) or the extended version in .pdf format here.

It is a scorching criticism, but it doesn't fall into hyperbole; it is very well researched and thoughtfully considered. I have to say, I was beaming when I read it. This guy gets it. Not just the philosophical and legal problems with the HRCs, but the political reality, too: nobody supports these kangaroo courts except for people who have a vested interest in them -- the human rights industry. That's true just as much for downtown Toronto and Vancouver as it is for Saskatoon, I can report.

I encourage you to read the whole thing. But I'll excerpt a few lines:

Over the past few months, I have been following reports about Canada’s federal and provincial human rights commissions and the suppression of free speech. The most troubling stories concern the manner in which human rights commission staff conduct investigations and run their “hearings.”

The fact that the RCMP and the Privacy Commissioner have each launched investigations into the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC) should be a real eye-opener for Canadians.

...I am a believer in inalienable human rights. I believe that inalienable rights like freedom of speech and freedom of religion, along with the rule of law, are fundamental to western democracies.

...I believe that Canada’s Human Rights Commissions (originally established to protect those seeking housing or employment from discrimination) have morphed into kangaroo courts that selectively oppress Canadians who hold small “c” conservative political or religious views.

...As a Member of Parliament and a citizen of this great country, I am deeply concerned about the erosion of our fundamental rights by these quasi-judicial human rights commissions.

I am not sure if all of Canada’s human rights commissions should be scrapped, or if a major overhaul of the system, including legislative review would suffice. I am certain, however, that our collection of human rights commissions have very little to do with human rights.

Bravo. Why not take just a moment to send Trost a note of encouragement for his bold stand. You can reach him by e-mail, here.