Election Gag Law (November 20, 2004)
Suppressing Political Speech: Government to Canadians, “Shut up!”
The Gag Law Explained: How it Undermines Democracy and Threatens our Freedoms
morefreedom.org, National Citizens Coalition
Also see Speech by Gerry Nicholls of the NCC
www.libertarian.on.ca, Libertarian Party of Ontario, Nov 6 ’04
On May 18, 2004, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in favor of the government’s election gag law.
…Nor is the gag law just about spending limitations; it also says if you or your group wants to spend more than $500 on election advertising you must first get permission from Elections Canada.
…[Mr. Justice Michel Bastarache (majority)] thinks voters need protection from ideas and viewpoints!
Chief Justice Beverly McLaughlin (dissenting opinion) called the limits “draconian”:
…”Political speech, the type of speech here at issue, is the single most important and protected type of expression. It lies at the core of the guarantee of free expression.”
The National Citizens Coalition continues to fight the gag law.