Bloc MP supports Parliamentary review of CHRC

Deborah Gyapong has the scoop: Real Menard, the Bloc Quebecois MP from the riding of Hochelaga, has endorsed the Conservative motion at the Parliamentary Justice Committee to review the Canadian Human Rights Commission's conduct. This is encouraging, as it is evidence (as if any was needed) that freedom of expression is important to MPs from both sides of the aisle.

Menard was one of the first MPs to "come out" as gay. I mention this because it is part of an encouraging consensus I observe amongst Canadian gay politicians to value freedom of expression over the fake "human right" not to be offended. I attribute that, as I mentioned the other day when Xtra magazine again denounced the CHRC's censorship provisions, to the fact that gays still remember when their views were regarded as dissidence, and were subject to government censorship.

In the last Parliament, a similar Conservative motion was put to the committee, but no action was taken, as the committee was shut down over partisan bickering. This Parliament's committee seems to be more functional. I look forward to more encouraging news from it.

Why not drop a quick e-mail to Menard to encourage him to strengthen freedom of expression. I'm sure that most of my readers are hostile to the philosophy of the Bloc Quebecois; but I put it to you that makes Menard's alliance on this issue even more valuable, not less. He demonstrates that freedom is valued by people from the left to the right, separatist or federalist, gay or straight.