Why would anyone want to define and then ban "hate speech" for purely political reasons?

Bill C-250 is a private member's bill that enshrines "sexual orientation" in Canada's anti-hate speech laws. It leaves the expressions "sexual orientation" and "hate speech" undefined. Yet in recent rulings upheld by Canada's human rights tribunals, simply quoting from the Bible and other religious texts can now land you massive fines with the threat of incarceration. Perhaps it is providential that Envoy Magazine has added an electronic edition so that our Canadian readership can remain informed.

The sponsor of Bill C-250 is none other than Svend Robinson. Mr. Robinson hails from the electoral riding of Burnaby in British Columbia. Besides being a member of the Canadian parliament, he is also Canada's most well-known homosexual. Mr. Robinson abandoned his wife midway through his career as a socialist politician to pursue a male lover. Nevertheless, he should not be confused with the Episcopalian bishop of New Hampshire.

Of course, in Svend's Canada mocking Christians and insulting Americans does not constitute hate speech. Asked what he thought of born-again Christians, Newsmax reports Svend's response as follows: "Did they have to come back again as themselves?"

Even more shameful is Mr. Robinson's response to a recent Canadian effort to support our neighbors to the south during a time of national tragedy. "According to Mr. Robinson," the National Post reports, "9/11 might instead be named 'Chile Day' - a sneering reference to the fact that Chilean president Salvador Allende died on the same day in a 1973 U.S.- backed military coup that resulted in shameful bloodshed."

John Pacheco is one of the key individuals organizing a protest against Bill C-250 on parliament hill for this coming weekend. He discusses the threat this bill poses to religious and civil liberties in Canada on Ottawa's Christian radio station this morning.

John is working with Connie Wilkins who operates FreeDominion.ca -- the Canadian affiliate of FreeRepublic. Connie has set up the following website detailing the Freedom Day protest on Parliament Hill this Saturday: PROTEST

Connie and John also sent me the following press-release detailing this event. Below it, I've detailed some ideas on what our sympathetic American neighbours can do to help us:

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Ottawa, April 14, 2004 (National Liberty Day Committee)

On Saturday April 17, 2004, thousands of Canadians will converge on Parliament Hill to uphold and defend the fundamental freedoms of speech and religious liberty, and to express their opposition to the totalitarian impulse currently asserting itself in the legislative and judicial branches of the Canadian government.

The rally has been called to draw attention to the imminent passage of Bill C-250, the proposed legislation which seeks to effectively criminalize the _expression of opinions against homosexual behaviour. Organizers and participants believe that the passage of the Bill will accelerate the current persecution of Christians, Muslims, and other conscientious opponents of the homosexual lifestyle. It is feared that the Bill will be used as an intimidation ploy to silence dissent and discussion on the moral and public health risks of the homosexual activity.

Participants are to gather at the Supreme Court at 2:00pm and then peacefully march to Parliament Hill for the demonstration which will feature music as well as speeches from politicians, religious leaders, and other prominent citizens. Organizers are encouraging participants to bring their Canadian flags as a sign of solidarity and unity. The event is scheduled to end by 4:30pm.

For more information on the rally, visit the National Liberty Day Rally webpage at: PROTEST

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Unfortunately, as previously noted, we Canadians cannot go this alone. Nor can American Christians allow Canadian Christians to fall behind enemy lines in the culture war. So what can you do to help us?

Well, come to the protest if it is possible. If not, please keep us in prayer. Additionally, please remember that despite the anti-Christian and anti-American sentiment of Canada's cultural left, our government still understands that Canadian tourism depends quite a bit on the American dollar. So please go to the following website and tell the Ministry of Tourism that you are an American and a Christian with lots of tourist dollars, that you find Svend's comments about 9/11 offensive, and that you feel Bill C-250 is an encroachment of religious liberty in Canada.

The contact URL for our Ministry of Tourism is at CANADA TOURISM. Contact them, and let them know why you won't be traveling to Canada any time soon, please pass this along to others as well.

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From the 4/15/04 Toronto Star:

NDP's Robinson takes leave: Reveals he shoplifted 'piece of expensive jewelry' as a result of stress, emotional pain

BURNABY, B.C. (CP) - The political future for Canada's first openly gay MP was unclear today as Svend Robinson admitted to pocketing an expensive piece of jewelry in a moment of "utter irrationality."

Robinson fought for composure as he told a news conference he would be taking an immediate medical leave from his duties as an MP.

Robinson said for now he's stepping down as the nominated NDP candidate in Burnaby-Douglas.

"I will be meeting in the near future with my riding executive to discuss the longer-term implications of this decision should an election be called while these issues remain outstanding," he said.

The 25-year MP - who has battled for same-sex marriage, charter protection of gay rights and Palestinian autonomy - said he's waging a personal war against severe stress and emotional pain.

"I have sought and received professional medical help to understand and deal with these issues," he said.

"I have commenced a course of therapy with this objective and I look forward to full healing and recovery with the excellent professional assistance I am receiving."

Colleagues inside and outside the NDP professed support for Robinson in his struggle.

Federal NDP Leader Jack Layton ducked questions on Robinson's political future, but said he will remain a member of caucus for now.

"Now Svend's inner strength must be applied to a very personal inner challenge," Layton said. "I have every confidence that my friend Svend will overcome."

Prime Minister Paul Martin said Robinson is a dedicated parliamentarian who has always been prepared to fight for his convictions.

"He's obviously under a lot of stress - he's said that himself," Martin said from Halifax.

"But he's a very strong person and I'm sure he will come through it and I think that all of us want to wish him the best."

Robinson said "something just snapped" before he took the jewelry at a sale last Friday.

After the long weekend he attempted unsuccessfully to contact the owner of the jewelry. He then returned the ring through the police.

"As you can imagine this has been a nightmare. I cannot believe that it has happened, but I am human and I have failed."

Robinson said the theft is in the hands of the police and Crown counsel.

"I await the decision of Crown counsel and will not seek to in any way avoid full responsibility for my actions should charges be laid in these circumstances," he said.

Robinson didn't take any questions from reporters.

Robinson's lawyer, Clayton Ruby of Toronto, wouldn't discuss the case or disclose any details of where the incident occurred.

RCMP spokesman Sgt. John Ward confirmed that RCMP in the Vancouver suburb of Richmond were investigating a theft over $5,000.

"I can't divulge any aspect of this investigation because at this point no one has been charged with any criminal activity," Ward said.

Robinson was joined at his emotion-charged news conference by New Democrat MP Libby Davis, who said the entire caucus supports him.

"We stand with Svend shoulder to shoulder and we support him in everything that he's going to go through," she said.

Robinson said his stress was brought on in part by the emotional consequences of a nearly fatal hiking accident.

In December 1997 Robinson broke his ankle and jaw when he slipped and fell during a walk near his property on Galiano Island, B.C.

He spent two weeks in hospital and returned to the House of Commons in a wheelchair with his jaw wired shut.

Layton said Robinson didn't show any signs of stress in performing his duties as an MP.

A University of B.C. psychiatrist said people are usually more impulsive when stressed out.

Basic human research "tells us when you are under stress your usual self-management strategies tend to fall apart," Dr. William Koch said.

An outspoken figure on Parliament Hill, Robinson became Canada's first openly homosexual MP when he publicly declared his sexual orientation in 1988.

Gilles Marchildon, executive director of Egale Canada, said Robinson "has been a bold and effective champion of equality and a role model for countless lesbian, gay, bi- and transpeople."

Robinson has represented the Vancouver suburb of Burnaby since 1979, winning the last election in 2000 with just 37 per cent of the popular vote.

Last October, Robinson won the NDP nomination in Burnaby-Douglas for the coming federal election and told supporters he was "looking forward to continuing as your member of Parliament."

Robinson, with his flair for dramatic self-promotion and penchant for over-heated rhetoric, has ruffled feathers even within his own party.

In 2001, Robinson was ridiculed in the Commons after complaining that a police rubber bullet had torn his pants during demonstrations at the Summit of the Americas in Quebec City. Robinson later launched a lawsuit against the RCMP and the National Post newspaper over the incident and its public belittlement.

He was demoted from his international affairs critic's role two years ago after travelling to the West Bank, staging his own televised detention at an Israeli checkpoint as he attempted to visit PLO leader Yasser Arafat and then accusing the Israeli military of murder and torture.

"I plead guilty. Yes, I am taking sides," Robinson said then.

"I am taking the side of peace over war. I am taking the side of the oppressed over the oppressor."