Provost of the U of Ottawa is Threatening to Criminally Prosecute Ann Coulter!

University of Ottawa ^ | March 21, 2010 | François Houle

[Syncro]

Dear Ms. Coulter,

 

I understand that you have been invited by University of Ottawa Campus Conservatives to speak at the University of Ottawa this coming Tuesday.  We are, of course, always delighted to welcome speakers on our campus and hope that they will contribute positively to the meaningful exchange of ideas that is the hallmark of a great university campus. 

 

We have a great respect for freedom of expression in Canada, as well as on our campus, and view it as a fundamental freedom, as recognized by our Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  I would, however, like to inform you, or perhaps remind you, that our domestic laws, both provincial and federal, delineate freedom of expression (or “free speech”) in a manner that is somewhat different than the approach taken in the United States. 

 

 I therefore encourage you to educate yourself, if need be, as to what is acceptable in Canada and to do so before your planned visit here.  You will realize that Canadian law puts reasonable limits on the freedom of expression. 

 

 For example, promoting hatred against any identifiable group would not only be considered inappropriate, but could in fact lead to criminal charges.  Outside of the criminal realm, Canadian defamation laws also limit freedom of expression and may differ somewhat from those to which you are accustomed. 

 

I therefore ask you, while you are a guest on our campus, to weigh your words with respect and civility in mind.  There is a strong tradition in Canada, including at this University, of restraint, respect and consideration in expressing even provocative and controversial opinions and urge you to respect that Canadian tradition while on our campus. 

 

Hopefully, you will understand and agree that what may, at first glance, seem like unnecessary restrictions to freedom of expression do, in fact, lead not only to a more civilized discussion, but to a more meaningful, reasoned and intelligent one as well.

 

I hope you will enjoy your stay in our beautiful country, city and campus.

 

Sincerely,

 

François Houle

‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑

Vice-recteur aux études / Vice-President Academic and Provost
Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
550, rue Cumberland Street
Ottawa (ON)  K1N 6N5
téléphone / telephone : 613 562-5737
télécopieur / fax : 613 562-5103

www.uOttawa.ca/vr-etudes-academic

[Springman]

Ping.

[buccaneer81]

35 million smug little commies don't really deserve to control that much soil.

I suggest you say that to my relatives (all conservative and many Canadian Armed Forces veterans) in Alberta, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. If you landed in traction, you'd merely be lucky.

[july4thfreedomfoundation]

The only thing more annoying than a left-wing Canadian is a left-wing French Canadian.

I had my fill of them during the closing ceremony of the Vancouver Olympics.

Ann should say whatever the hell she wants to. If the pompous asses in Ottawa arrest her, she’ll make a fortune by selling even more books.

[Ronbo1948]

Canada isn’t a country - It’s the Balkans of North America with a bunch of diverse tribes who detest one another.

[buccaneer81]

Canadian Caper

On the day the hostages were seized, six American diplomats evaded capture and remained in hiding at the Swiss and Canadian embassies. In 1979, the Canadian Parliament held a secret session for the first time since World War II in order to pass special legislation allowing Canadian passports to be issued to some American citizens so that they could escape. Six American diplomats boarded a flight to Zürich, Switzerland, on January 28, 1980. Their escape and rescue from Iran by Canadian ambassador Ken Taylor has come to be known as the Canadian Caper.[89]

Operation Yellow Ribbon

Operation Yellow Ribbon is the name of the operation that Transport Canada created to handle the diversion of civilian airline flights following the September 11 attacks in 2001. The operation started after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded all aircraft across the United States and re-routed incoming international flights to airports in Canada.

During the operation, departing flights, with the exception of police, military, and humanitarian flights were canceled, marking the first time that Canada shut down its airspace. As a result of Operation Yellow Ribbon, 255 aircraft were diverted to 17 different airports across the country.

Canada In Afghanistan

The number of Canadian Forces' fatalities resulting from Canadian military activities in Afghanistan is the largest for any single Canadian military mission since the 25th Canadian Brigade suffered 309 combat-related deaths (and approximately 145 non-combat deaths in-theatre) in the Korean War between 1950 and 1953. A total of 140 Canadian Forces personnel have been killed since the mission began in 2002.[1]

Still think they're all Commies?

[buccaneer81]

Canada isn’t a country - It’s the Balkans of North America with a bunch of diverse tribes who detest one another.

Really? The English speakers, the French speakers, the Muslims and the Natives. How exactly does that differ from us with American English speakers, American Spanish speakers, the Muslims and the Natives?

Think before you type.

[magslinger]

I think this guy needs an email from the Commandant of the Marine Corps advising him of actions the US military can take against any terrorist nation who holds a US citizen hostage.

Just surprise him.

[Paleo Conservative]

You will realize that Canadian law puts reasonable limits on the freedom of expression.

No, it puts unreasonable limits on the freedom of expression.

[newfreep]

Has Annie commented yet on this letter?

[Grut]

Actually, I don’t see anything sinister with this letter. It is just a mention of differences between Canadian and U.S. freedom of expression laws.

Yeah, but it's a 'mention' like "Nice little place you got here...."

[Ronbo1948]

No, I like to type and think because I usually get it right on the first draft. If I take counsel of doubts and do a second draft, I usually get it wrong.

BTW, it’s the Canadian CONFEDERATION which means a very LOOSE federation, and there is not the same sense of nationalism in Canada that exists in the USA.

[buccaneer81]

BTW, it’s the Canadian CONFEDERATION which means a very LOOSE federation,

Again, you're wrong:

In Canada, the word confederation has an additional, unrelated meaning. It refers to the process of (or the event of) establishing a federation. Canadian Confederation generally refers to the Constitution Act, 1867 which initially united three colonies of British North America (Province of Canada, Province of New Brunswick and Province of Nova Scotia), and to the subsequent incorporation of other colonies and territories; Canada, however, is a federation and not a confederation, since it is a sovereign nation-state.

[buccaneer81]

Not exactly the characteristics of a "very loose Federation" IMHO:

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) is one of the most powerful institutions in government, initiating most legislation for parliamentary approval and selecting, besides other Cabinet members, senators, federal court judges, heads of Crown corporations and government agencies, and the governor general. The Crown formally approves parliamentary legislation and the prime minister's appointments.

[buccaneer81]

Well said!

[Syncro]

I don't know, I'll ping her

Ann, have you commented on this letter yet?

Make sure to have some bail money with you when you go to Canada

*ducking*

[The_Reader_David]

Which leads me to wonder: Are pecksniffian university provosts an identifiable group under Canadian law?

[Syncro]

Why, no I don’t think they are

So she can say anything she likes about them

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Any comments about this ‘welcome’.

[LomanBill]