"Human rights commissions, as they are evolving, are an attack on our fundamental freedoms and the basic existence of a democratic society…It is in fact totalitarianism. I find this is very scary stuff." (Stephen Harper. BC Report Newsmagazine, January 11, 1999)
I'm so glad that Stephen Harper no longer has to be frightened of human rights, because he has written them out of the Canadian identity.
It was not only the gay community, or the legality of equal marriage that was erased from our new citizenship guide:
So if you're a white, male Christian, filled with hatred; pick up your gun and welcome to Canada.Enamoured by the militarized rhetoric and self-ascribed high international value of Canadian citizenship, Kenney told the press the guide was instrumental in ensuring Canadians have a “good understanding of their rights and responsibilities.” Fast forward four short months and this updated guide to “freedom, democracy, human rights, [and] the rule of law” is coming apart at the seams, under allegations of neo-conservative ideological censorship.
Internal federal government communications paint a troubling picture of Kenney’s office actively removing references in the guide to the legal status of same-sex marriage in Canada ... In addition, the definition of equality rights originally included “equality of all based on race, gender, sexual orientation etc ...” The version presented to prospective Canadians, that Marc Chalifoux, Executive Vice-President of the Historica-Dominion Institute said “should be in the hands of not only new Canadians, but every high school student in Canada,” contains neither of these references ..... In nixing references same-sex marriage and equality rights, enney has crossed a line. The federal government has turned censorship into a national project ...
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