Petition

Niagara Regional Council: Stop authoritarian & discriminatory restrictions on freedom of expression!

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500
SIGNATURE GOAL

To: Niagara Regional Council

WHEREAS in a March 6 meeting, the Corporate Services Committee unanimously passed a motion requesting a report by July 10, 2024, on “how to govern the display of graphic images in the public right of way . . . including, but not limited to, images showing or purporting to show medical waste; images showing or purporting to show a fetus or any part of a fetus; or an image showing or purporting to show a dead or injured animal or human body or any part of a dead or injured animal or human body…;”

WHEREAS Section 2 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects the fundamental freedom of expression;

WHEREAS this committee proposal presents an egregious and gross infringement on freedom of expression that is nothing short of totalitarian;

WHEREAS the definition of “graphic images” is so broad that it could encompass ultrasound photos (images showing a fetus), advertisements for meat (images showing a dead animal), and even some pictures of Canadian heroes with disabilities like Rick Hanson and Ryan Straschnitzki (images showing an injured human body);

WHEREAS Section 15 (1) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states that “Every individual . . . has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability;”

WHEREAS the definition of “graphic images” is obviously discriminatory;

WHEREAS even genuinely graphic images ought to be protected as a critical component of freedom of expression as they bring attention to perceived injustices;

WHEREAS protection for freedom of expression is meaningless and unnecessary if it only covers expression on trivial and uncontroversial topics;

WHEREAS the City of St. Catharines is already facing a legal challenge from the Association for Reformed Political Action regarding the limitations its by-law regulating the delivery of “graphic images” places on freedom of expression;

WHEREAS the City of London has just gone back to the drawing board on a by-law governing the public display of “graphic images” after councillors recognized its previous draft by-law was likely unconstitutional and city staff recommended against changing the current by-laws;

WHEREAS restricting the display of the images specified in the motion will result in foreseeable and severe harm;

Therefore, we the undersigned, demand that you immediately apologize and make no further attempt to restrict freedom of expression.

Sincerely,

[The undersigned]

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Signatures

Thus far 357 signatories
Page 5 of 24
Caleb E. Fenwick , ON
May 9, 2024 - 12:35pm
Renee B. St.Anns , ON
May 9, 2024 - 12:08pm
Mandana A. Brantford , ON
May 9, 2024 - 12:06pm
Deb V. Vineland, ON
May 9, 2024 - 12:06pm
Jeremy H. Brampton, ON
May 9, 2024 - 12:06pm
Free speech is already eroding in Canada, and this move by Niagara will be costly in many ways - not just to those who want to speak freely about abortion. Please consider what is right, and whether or not the truth is allowed to be told in a society like ours. Thank you.
Maria M. London, ON
May 9, 2024 - 11:52am
City and Regional councils have no right to infringe on the lawful freedom of expression of canadians.
Elyssa C. Mississauga, ON
May 9, 2024 - 11:50am
Meah K. Smithville, ON
May 9, 2024 - 11:43am
Charmaine V. TILLSONBURG, ON
May 9, 2024 - 11:43am
Katie S. Toronto, ON
May 9, 2024 - 11:43am
Trudi B. Saskatoon, SK
May 7, 2024 - 04:07pm
Rosa M. Elliot Lake, ON
May 6, 2024 - 02:48pm
How prejudiced are some politicians!
Esther I G. Westbank, BC
May 6, 2024 - 11:57am
Mari C. Victoria, BC
May 2, 2024 - 07:56pm
Helen G. Ottawa, ON
May 2, 2024 - 11:13am