"Freedom of expression is not without limits" : Canadian PM Justin Trudeau

[MenInG]

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau defended free speech on Friday, but added that it was "not without limits" and should not "arbitrarily and needlessly hurt" certain communities.

"We will always defend freedom of expression," Trudeau said in response to a question about the right to show a caricature of the Prophet Mohammed, as France's Charlie Hebdo magazine did.

"But freedom of expression is not without limits," he added. "We owe it to ourselves to act with respect for others and to seek not to arbitrarily or unnecessarily injure those with whom we are sharing a society and a planet."

"We do not have the right for example to shout fire in a movie theatre crowded with people, there are always limits," he argued.

Distancing himself from the position of French President Emmanuel Macron, Trudeau pleaded for a careful use of free speech.

"In a pluralist, diverse and respectful society like ours, we owe it to ourselves to be aware of the impact of our words, of our actions on others, particularly these communities and populations who still experience a great deal of discrimination," he said.

At the same time, he said society is ready for a public debate on these issues, "to have these complex conversations in a responsible way."

As he had done the day before with the leaders of the European Union, Trudeau insisted on condemning the recent "awful and appalling" extremist attacks in France.

"It is unjustifiable and Canada wholeheartedly condemns these acts while standing with our French friends who are going through extremely difficult times," he said.

Canada's parliament observed a moment of silence on Thursday for the three people stabbed to death earlier in a church in Nice, in southern France, by a Tunisian man who was apprehended.

Anger erupted in the Middle East in response to Macron defending the right to publish the cartoons in France.

Macron made the comments during a tribute last week to Samuel Paty, a teacher beheaded in the street for showing caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed in class in a course on freedom of expression.

https://www.barrons.com/news/free-s...da-s-trudeau-says-01604089204?refsec=afp-news

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Good man, erudite.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Good that people are realizing what right wingers had been saying all along. freedom of speech cannot be absolute and should be judged by what positive value it adds. It has been misused by the anarchists and liberal fascists.

 

[Syed1]

Well said Justin

 

[BreadPakoda]

Good that people are realizing what right wingers had been saying all along. freedom of speech cannot be absolute and should be judged by what positive value it adds. It has been misused by the anarchists and liberal fascists.

Liberal fascist, secular extremists. Interesting new terms being coined by right wingers here.

Genuine question. Who gets to decide where the line is drawn?

 

[Syed1]

There are always limits to freedom of expression, you can't run up to a black person and shout the N word while hiding behind your freedom of expression.

 

[Arsal_AK]

Good that people are realizing what right wingers had been saying all along. freedom of speech cannot be absolute and should be judged by what positive value it adds. It has been misused by the anarchists and liberal fascists.

Who gets to decide what is right to say and what's not? Would you trust/allow anybody to dictate to you what you can and cannot say?

Freedom of speech is the most fundamental of rights. There should be nothing above criticism, ridicule and questioning.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Who gets to decide what is right to say and what's not? Would you trust/allow anybody to dictate to you what you can and cannot say?

Freedom of speech is the most fundamental of rights. There should be nothing above criticism, ridicule and questioning.

The invisible hand of society and politics gets to decide.

 

[Madplayer]

There are always limits to freedom of expression, you can't run up to a black person and shout the N word while hiding behind your freedom of expression.

Freedom of expression in the west and in France is selective and hypocritical. I did an entire post on it in another thread. Apni marzi se choose karte hain what can be dissed and what cant be.

 

[Madplayer]

The invisible hand of society and politics gets to decide.

I am not sure if you are being sarcastic or not but I think this is actually a fair assessment.

 

[BreadPakoda]

The invisible hand of society and politics gets to decide.

Wouldn’t that be shaped by the majority and prone to neglecting the minority sentiments?

 

[trickyone]

As a Canadian, not a big fan of Trudeau but he is right here...

 

[Madplayer]

Wouldn’t that be shaped by the majority and prone to neglecting the minority sentiments?

Not always in a substantive democracy (which admittedly is barely a reality in most parts of the world) and I believe politics includes international relations too.

 

[Bigboii]

I am not sure if you are being sarcastic or not but I think this is actually a fair assessment.

You never know with him
I straight up get annoyed at some of the things he says I latter realize he was trolling...

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

We are quite lucky in the west, even if it's not a good idea to insult or abuse the Prophet PBUH - the fallout is just not worth it - there are still plenty of other religious figures from various religions who can be lampooned and portrayed in obscene but humorous ways. The world is a big place thankfully, we aren't restricted unduly.

 

[Varun]

Canada are going through their Obama years at the moment.

The next guy is going to be their Trump, and he'll build a wall to keep the Americans out.

 

[ahmedzee]

Sorry to say but Trudeau is the biggest hypocrite ever. He said that obviously because his voter bank is in Montreal and Toronto, where quite a few voters are Muslims. However, not a word about Quebec Islamophobia (actually that is all minority Religion) bill. Not a word when those Hijabis were stabbed in France. No word on Islamophobia worldwide.

To non-Canadians, please take our PM's word with caution. He is not the friend of Muslims as some media outlets are showing.

 

[sweep_shot]

I agree with Trudeau here.

Freedom of speech should have a limit.

There has to be legal consequences if you say/write fake news. There has to be legal consequences if you disrupt social harmony.

 

[srh]

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau defended free speech on Friday, but added that it was "not without limits" and should not "arbitrarily and needlessly hurt" certain communities.

"We will always defend freedom of expression," Trudeau said in response to a question about the right to show a caricature of the Prophet Mohammed, as France's Charlie Hebdo magazine did.

"But freedom of expression is not without limits," he added. "We owe it to ourselves to act with respect for others and to seek not to arbitrarily or unnecessarily injure those with whom we are sharing a society and a planet."

"We do not have the right for example to shout fire in a movie theatre crowded with people, there are always limits," he argued.

Distancing himself from the position of French President Emmanuel Macron, Trudeau pleaded for a careful use of free speech.

"In a pluralist, diverse and respectful society like ours, we owe it to ourselves to be aware of the impact of our words, of our actions on others, particularly these communities and populations who still experience a great deal of discrimination," he said.

At the same time, he said society is ready for a public debate on these issues, "to have these complex conversations in a responsible way."

As he had done the day before with the leaders of the European Union, Trudeau insisted on condemning the recent "awful and appalling" extremist attacks in France.

"It is unjustifiable and Canada wholeheartedly condemns these acts while standing with our French friends who are going through extremely difficult times," he said.

Canada's parliament observed a moment of silence on Thursday for the three people stabbed to death earlier in a church in Nice, in southern France, by a Tunisian man who was apprehended.

Anger erupted in the Middle East in response to Macron defending the right to publish the cartoons in France.

Macron made the comments during a tribute last week to Samuel Paty, a teacher beheaded in the street for showing caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed in class in a course on freedom of expression.

https://www.barrons.com/news/free-s...da-s-trudeau-says-01604089204?refsec=afp-news

"Freedom of expression is not without limits". Everybody knows it, thanks for stating the obvious

 

[kingusama92]

Trudeau is right.

 

[KingKhanWC]

A leader with a brain unlike Macron and Modi.

But Canada is far more civilised than France, it's backward and extremist.

 

[Technics 1210]

The only country in the world where you have true freedom of speech, is USA.

Everywhere else in the West, you have freedom of expression.

There's a difference. In the USA you can stand anywhere and perform Nazi salutes, rituals, etc. All legal under the US constitution, and first amendment.

With freedom of expression, the law limits an individual to how they can express themselves; such as what constitutes hate speech. For example, in the UK it's not illegal to have right-wing views, but can be illegal depending on how you express those views. Hence Nazi salutes etc are illegal in Western countries outside of the USA.

France has the privilege of being a basket case when it comes to freedom of expression, especially with HD/AS laws on top.

 

[ahmedzee]

LOL we know your dislike for Trudeau but don't need to act like he hasn't been consistent in his defense of Muslims especially compared to any other Western leader. We know your dislike for Trudeau is because of your financial interests tied to the Alberta Oil sands, your livelihood is dependent on the energy industry thus your support for right-wingers and crony capitalism. Just be honest. Muslims are willing to put their personal and financial interests over that of the community and that's fine, just don't virtue signal.

Financial interest? Right wingers? I voted against Harper everytime he was in election, eventhough I was in the energy industry.

Maybe you forgot to read my comments in other thread why I am opposed to Trudeau but was very peo chretein. Trudeau is fake, he knows how to fool people like you by making you think he cares about minorities. He only cares about his buddies In Corporations, And his votes. And the best way to win votes is by seeing where majority ridings are and how to win people there. People who come to Canada oppressed suddenly see Trudeau doing Bhangra and they are like wow, a gora leader who really knows us. Little do they know that the historical debt he iS taking will endure increase of taxes year after year and burden their children.

seriously, grow up! Look at the picture. We canadian charter of freedom and I don’t think any racist can touch us with that. But what can touch us is prolonged unemployment and rising taxes for our kids.

Also for your info I no longer work in oil and gas anymore. So don’t tell me that it is my financial interest. What is Canada doing after Trudeau’s comments? Cutting off ties with France. Trudeau had no balls to say anything about Quebec “secular” Bill, as his vote bank could be hurt.

Try to identify who is fake and who isn’t. If you can’t see that then I pity you and your blindness.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

The only country in the world where you have true freedom of speech, is USA.

Everywhere else in the West, you have freedom of expression.

There's a difference. In the USA you can stand anywhere and perform Nazi salutes, rituals, etc. All legal under the US constitution, and first amendment.

With freedom of expression, the law limits an individual to how they can express themselves; such as what constitutes hate speech. For example, in the UK it's not illegal to have right-wing views, but can be illegal depending on how you express those views. Hence Nazi salutes etc are illegal in Western countries outside of the USA.

France has the privilege of being a basket case when it comes to freedom of expression, especially with HD/AS laws on top.

Very well expressed, I think that has brought some well appreciated clarity to this thread. Good job.

 

[MenInG]

At least two people have been stabbed to death in the Canadian city of Quebec by a man armed with a sword and dressed in medieval clothing, police say.

Five others were wounded in the Halloween night attack. A man in his mid-20s was arrested shortly before 01:00 (06:00 GMT) on Sunday.

Police advised residents to stay inside with doors locked while an investigation was under way.

The attack took place in the historic Old Quebec neighbourhood.

Police tweeted that there was no immediate indication "that the suspect may have acted for motives other than personal ones".

The suspect's identity has not been made public.

First reports of the incident near the French-speaking city's national assembly came through shortly before 22:30 local time on Saturday.

The suspect was arrested near the Espace 400e business park.

Quebec's Le Soleil newspaper reported that he was lying on the ground, barefoot and hypothermic when he was arrested. He surrendered to police without any resistance, it said.

Following his arrest, the suspect was taken to hospital for "evaluation".

The five wounded are also being treated in hospital, with varying levels of injury, according to police.

Police have not released details of the victims' identities or ages.

Reporters at the scene have tweeted photos of a police command post outside Quebec's Parliament Building.

 

[El Generico]

At least two people have been stabbed to death in the Canadian city of Quebec by a man armed with a sword and dressed in medieval clothing, police say.

Five others were wounded in the Halloween night attack. A man in his mid-20s was arrested shortly before 01:00 (06:00 GMT) on Sunday.

Police advised residents to stay inside with doors locked while an investigation was under way.

The attack took place in the historic Old Quebec neighbourhood.

Police tweeted that there was no immediate indication "that the suspect may have acted for motives other than personal ones".

The suspect's identity has not been made public.

First reports of the incident near the French-speaking city's national assembly came through shortly before 22:30 local time on Saturday.

The suspect was arrested near the Espace 400e business park.

Quebec's Le Soleil newspaper reported that he was lying on the ground, barefoot and hypothermic when he was arrested. He surrendered to police without any resistance, it said.

Following his arrest, the suspect was taken to hospital for "evaluation".

The five wounded are also being treated in hospital, with varying levels of injury, according to police.

Police have not released details of the victims' identities or ages.

Reporters at the scene have tweeted photos of a police command post outside Quebec's Parliament Building.

This attack was done by a guy called Carl girouard and had nothing to do with Muslims or the France cartoon issue.

Just wanted to point this out in case someone gets confused and links this to the topic of the thread.

 

[miandadrules]

Posters might want to understand what freedom of speech is before making statements.

Shockingly, ill informed opinions.

 

[MenInG]

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was caught out by a prankster impersonating climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.

Mr Trudeau took the call - orchestrated by Russians Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexey Stolyarov - in January, which the pair have just released on YouTube alongside an animated video.

Fake Greta begins in earnest fashion, saying she is concerned about the "growing international crisis and "anticipation of the third world war".

The prime minister says he taken "many phone calls... about the need to de-escalate" - the prank appears to have been recorded soon after a Ukrainian plane was shot down by Iran, killing 55 Canadian citizens.

The prankster says world leaders should "drop your weapons, pick flowers, smile at nature", with Mr Trudeau praising her "passionate words".

When the caller takes issue with President Trump, saying he is "doing everything to kill us", the PM replies diplomatically.

"I understand your words," he says.

"My responsibility is to work with world leaders that other people choose... But I can certainly understand that people can feel very, very strongly about him."

Prince Harry and Meghan - who lived in Canada for a while - also come up.

The prankster says she worries that Harry's wife "manipulates him".

Mr Trudeau replies: "I think in every relationship there are complicated concessions and compromises that are the art of living together.

"I have met Meghan a few times and she has always been lovely..."

'Greta' also tells the 48-year-old leader: "We can create a world where there is a place for everyone - for whites and blacks, Christians and Muslims, for Trump and Putin, for you and me, for Boris Johnson, for Corbyn, for Terrance and Phillip."

It is this latter reference to characters from animated comedy South Park that eventually makes him realise what's going on.

When asked to set up a meeting with Terrance and Phillip, he promises to "ask my team to try and figure out how we can connect you" - before a few seconds later the penny drops.

"Wait, Terrance and Phillip, were they not in South Park?" he says.

"I don't personally know them but I believe they are South Park parodies of Canadians."

Mr Trudeau then politely, but quickly, wraps up the call.

The prime minister's office told Canada's CTV network in a statement: "This is not the first prank call of a world leader. The prime minister determined the call was fake and promptly ended it."

In March, the Russian pair released audio apparently featuring Prince Harry himself.

French President Emmanuel Macron was also said to be the victim in another clip last year.

https://news.sky.com/story/justin-t...ankster-impersonating-greta-thunberg-12141985

 

[FearlessRoar]

First Liberal MP calls on Justin Trudeau to step down​

A backbench MP has become the first sitting member of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party caucus to call on him to resign, after a disastrous by-election defeat.

Wayne Long said new leadership was needed “for the future of our party and for the good of our country” in an email to fellow party members that was obtained by Canadian media outlets.

Mr Long, who represents a riding in the province of New Brunswick, wrote “the voters have spoken loud and clear and they want a change”.

It follows a catastrophic result for Liberals in a by-election on Monday, when they lost a Toronto seat they had held since 1993.

Mr Long has served as MP since 2015 and previously said he would not be seeking re-election.

According to the National Post, Newfoundland MP Ken McDonald replied all to Mr Long's email, saying: "well said!"

In recent days former Liberal politicians have also called on Mr Trudeau to step down.

Among them was Catherine McKenna, who served as environment minister under Mr Trudeau from 2015-19.

“The Liberal Party isn't about one person. It's about the values it stands for and it's about improving the lives of Canadians,” said Ms McKenna in a statement she shared with media outlets.

“The prime minister has a legacy to be proud of, but it's time for new ideas, new energy and a new leader.”

Former British Columbia Liberal Premier Christy Clark made a similar statement on Thursday in an interview with the Toronto Star.

Ms Clark said the prime minister “does not have the pull with voters he once had, but more importantly, he isn’t even able to motivate some of the people in the country who are most likely to vote for his party”.

Canada’s next election must take place by 20 October 2025.

After Monday’s stunning defeat, Mr Trudeau - who has been prime minister since 2015 - vowed to stay on as Liberal leader.

“These are not easy times,” he said. “And it is clear, I and my entire team have much more hard work to do to deliver tangible, real progress that Canadians can see and feel."

The prime minister has not taken questions from reporters since the loss.

The Conservatives snatched the Toronto-St Paul's seat by a little more than 500 votes.

Mr Trudeau has seen a significant drop in his popularity because of a host of issues including cost-of-living pressures.

A recent Ipsos poll for Global News suggested that as many as 68% of Canadians want Mr Trudeau to step down.

First Liberal MP calls on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to quit

In an email to fellow members, MP Wayne Long said Trudeau should resign "for the good of our country".

www.bbc.com

 

[FearlessRoar]

Canada's PM Justin Trudeau 'likely' to announce resignation, reports say​

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is likely to announce his resignation in the coming days, according to reports.

Sources have told Reuters news agency and Canada's Globe and Mail that the 53-year-old could announce as early as today that he would quit as leader of Canada's ruling Liberal Party.

But Reuters says no final decision on the resignation has been made, however sources expect an announcement to happen before an emergency meeting of Liberal politicians on Wednesday.

It remains unclear whether Mr Trudeau would leave immediately or stay on as prime minister until a new Liberal leader is selected.

Mr Trudeau has led the party since 2013 and has been prime minister since 2015.

He has faced calls to resign from an increasing number of his MPs amid poor showings in opinion polls. He has also come under increased pressure since his finance minister quit in December over a policy clash.

Unlike the UK, there is no formal way for Mr Trudeau's party to remove him if he wants to stay.

That said, if members of his own cabinet and a large number of MPs call for him to go, he may conclude his position is untenable.

An election must be held in Canada by this October, with the Liberals expected to lose heavily to the official opposition Conservatives.

Canada's PM Justin Trudeau 'likely' to announce resignation, reports say

While sources say no final decision has been made, some are reporting that Mr Trudeau could announce his resignation as early as today.

news.sky.com