Ottawa, Ontario                                                                               June 11, 2019

Media Release

The Suffocation of Freedom of Speech in Canada
 The Suspension of Senator Lynn Beyak from the Senate

The suspension of Senator Lynn Beyak, for approximately three months without pay, from the Senate because of her posting five controversial letters on her website relating to indigenous matters, indicates that the walls are closing in on freedom of speech in Canada.

Canadians are no longer able to freely speak on abortion, homosexuality, transgenderism, indigenous affairs, feminism, immigration or climate change.   Should they deviate from the politically correct narrative of these issues, they are silenced and labeled as anti-women, homophobic, transphobic, hateful, racist and deniers, and in some cases, subject to punishment by the state.

There is a vital difference between legitimate dissent, by speaking out on one’s beliefs, and the incitement of hatred.  This fine line appears to have been crossed in Canada by the interpretation of politically incorrect comments as “hatred”.

The Senate’s Ethics Officer, who concluded that the controversial letters posted by the Senator on her website were “racist”, has himself included, in Appendix A in his report, these same controversial letters in their entirety on his website. Can one conclude from this that the letters are not the real issue?

Perhaps the real issue is that Senator Beyak raised serious questions about Canada’s indigenous policies, about which there is abundant evidence indicating that they are not working.  It is part of the legal responsibility of a senator to raise issues brought to their attention by the Canadian public.  For this, she is being bizarrely expelled from the Senate.

The shutting down of debate on controversial issues, such as indigenous matters, does not solve problems.  Free speech, which should include input from the public, is necessary in a democracy in order to formulate successful policies.

It is time that the pervasive denial of freedom of speech, a right under the Charter, be halted so that all Canadians can be involved in policy issues, not just party leaders and the bureaucracy.

– 30 –

For further information contact:

Gwendolyn Landolt                                        Diane Watts
National Vice-President                                Researcher
REAL Women of Canada                              REAL Women of Canada
(905) 787-0348                                               (613) 236-4001
(905) 731-5425                                                Email: realwcna@rogers.com

Email: realwcto@realwomenofcanada.ca
Web:  www.realwomenofcanada.ca