Ontario Court Protects Anonymity of Commentators on Conservative Message Board

Interesting that a Canadian gay rights advocate would want the release of information identifying eight anonymous posters to a conservative message board. Here in South Carolina, homosexualist, Christophobic, nihilist hate bloggers are the only ones hiding in the shadows. Why don't they "come out" and set an example for those anonymous homophobes?

From LifeSiteNews
By Patrick B. Craine

Free-speech advocates are celebrating the Monday decision of the Ontario Divisional Court to protect the right to privacy of anonymous internet commentators.

Richard Warman, the Canadian Human Rights Commission's serial complainant, sought the release of information identifying eight anonymous posters to the conservative message board Free Dominion, which is run by Mark and Connie Fournier.

Judge Stanley Kershman had ruled in March 2009 that the Fourniers were to give Warman personal information such as IP addresses and email addresses for these anonymous posters, whom Warman had named as co-defendants in a libel suit against Free Dominion. The Fourniers maintained, however, that online anonymity should be protected until it is clear that there is a strong case that a "John Doe" has broken the law.

The Divisional Court Monday overturned the decision of the lower court, upholding the Fourniers' appeal.

Judge Wilton-Siegel determined Monday that plaintiffs must now prove a prima facie case against an anonymous poster before website administrators are required to turn over personal information about them. “The requirement to demonstrate a prima facie case of defamation furthers the objective of establishing an appropriate balance between the public interest in favour of disclosure and legitimate interests of privacy and freedom of expression," he wrote.

The court warned that if disclosure of personal information were “automatic,” a plaintiff could misuse the system in order to discover the identity of anonymous posters, “with a view to stifling such commentators and deterring others from speaking out on controversial issues.”

"Because this proceeding engages a freedom of expression interest, as well as a privacy interest, a more robust standard is required to address the chilling effect on freedom of expression that will result from disclosure,” he added.

Warman was also ordered to pay the Fourniers $10,000 in costs.

“The takeaway is that it's getting harder for Warman to get his way,” commented prominent conservative commentator Mark Steyn, who himself has been subject to Warman's litigation. “The glory days of big cash payouts at the Canadian 'Human Rights' Commission are receding further and further into the past.”

The decision is available here.

Canadians Fight for Free Speech

From OneNewsNow
By Chad Groening

A Canadian pro-family leader is pleased that the Canadian Conservative Party has overwhelmingly approved a resolution to repeal the "hate speech" provision that has been used to squelch the free speech rights of Christians and others who speak out against homosexuality.

Read the rest of this entry >>

The Homosexuals' Tyrannical Agenda

After scores of municipalities, counties and states have overwhelmingly rejected the radical homosexual agenda, it is becoming clear that the movement is about much more than recognizing “gay marriage.”

The fascist attacks on Christians in San Francisco, Michigan and elsewhere demonstrates that they seek to silence free speech. The vehicle of choice is so called “hate crimes” legislation. Such “hate crimes” may involve preaching of the gospel, condemning sodomy from a pulpit, or writing a blog post or letter to the editor. Such legislation, recently passed in Colorado, may even prevent the publication and sale of the Bible in that state.

Canada and Europe give us a good view of where the homo-fascists would take America. In Canada a publisher, clergymen, or ordinary citizen can be hauled before the nation’s Human Rights Commissions to account for what they think and say. James Allan, a University of Queensland Professor of Law describes the situation as follows:

“Here is a little known fact about Canada. It is today a country where you can say or write things that are true and yet still be brought before a tribunal.

“That tribunal can fine you; it can order you to pay money to the people who complained about your words; it can force you to issue an apology; it can do all three.

“That’s not all though. The people who complained will not need to hire a lawyer.

“Their costs will be picked up by the state, by the taxpayers.

“You on the other hand, will have to hire a lawyer to defend yourself. And there will be no award of costs at the end, so that even if you win, you will still be out of pocket to your lawyers tens of thousands of dollars.

“Of course, you will not win.

“Why? Because in the entire history of these Canadian tribunals, hearing these cases, those people like you who have been hauled before these tribunals have never won - not one single time [on cases citing Section 13.1 of the Human Rights Act - the hate crimes provision].

“The complainants always win.”

Indeed, a Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission has imposed a lifetime ban on a local Catholic’s freedom to publicly criticize homosexuality. He responded to the Court’s order as follows:

"This fine is for telling the truth [that] homosexual sodomites can change their behaviour and be set free from their sin and depravity through the forgiveness of sins and shed blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."

The following video demonstrates how truly tyrannical the homosexualists are prepared to be should they ever have the power of law on their side: