Bill 13 suspends civil rights for the Olympics
October 21, 2009 by BC Conservative Party
Filed under BC news, Freedom, Government
Liberal bill restricting free speech during Olympics contravenes Charter of Rights.
BC Conservative Party President, Wayne McGrath, says Bill 13, an amendment to the Municipalities Enabling and Validating Act, would strip residents of Vancouver, Whistler and Richmond of their Section 2 Charter rights to freedom of speech and assembly.
“The Liberal government is more concerned about the Olympics running without dissent than protecting the basic rights of citizens in this Province”, charged McGrath.
The Bill Amendment, introduced on October 7, 2009, in the Legislature, would grant special powers to municipal officers to enter private property and seize signs not compliant with the so called “spirit” of the Olympic Games, as follows:
Amendments will provide the municipalities of Vancouver, Richmond and Whistler with temporary enforcement powers to enable them to swiftly remove illegal signs and graffiti during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The legislation provides, on a temporary basis, a faster way of removing signs and graffiti during the short period the Games are underway.
This law would be a “temporary” suspension of civil rights in the host cities of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, allowing officials to enter private homes and to seize unauthorized signage or anti-Olympic placards with just 24 hours notice.
“This is a very dangerous precedent law being passed under the noses of British Columbians,” said McGrath. “Many people are outraged at what the Liberal government is trying to get away with here.”
Those found in violation of these highly ambiguous laws will be subject to a $10,000 a day fine and six months in jail.
“The BC Conservative Party strongly urges the City Councils of Vancouver, Richmond and Whistler to reject the curtailing of civil rights during the Olympic Games,” said McGrath.
McGrath pointed out that even Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who was in Vancouver recently, took some time to speak out against the new bill amendment, “ I would not support any actions in the name of security that stifle political free expression. That is what our country is all about.”
It is unconstitutional to fine or jail people for expressing their thoughts and ideas, no matter how much they disagree with the decisions of the government,” concluded McGrath.
The BC Conservative party is calling for the amendment to be struck down, and for the municipalities hosting the Olympic Games to reject such ad hoc censorship brought about by the provincial Liberal government.
October 21, 2009
BC Conservative Party
The Olympics are self destructive. With the threat of global warming we cannot afford such flagrant displays of excess and overconsumption. The best way to avoid 300,000 tons of emissions is for people to simply stay at home.
http://selfdestructivebastards.blogspot.com/2009/10/olympics-are-self-destructive.html
…easy there treehugger.
When did you guys elect G. W. Bush into office?
This is illegal and unconstitutional but of course the politicos who passed such legislation knew that when it was passed. What they no doubt hope, is that by the time the illegal search and seizure acts have occurred and managed to get to court, the Olympics would be over. Typical of the small mind of local politicians. Remind me again why I chose not to live in B.C. The fact is Canada and Canadians cannot abrogate the Charter of Rights and Freedoms just like that unless the entire nation is on a war footing or a terrorist attack and then the War Measures Act is declared..sort of the US equivalent of Martial Law. There has been but one time since WWII that such an act was enforced and that was during the FLQ Crisis nearly forty years earlier. The local BC governments are way out of their depth on this one and anyone going to court of this will win not only their day in court but huge financial settlements from these suppressive morons. I should add that though I will much enjoy watching the Olympics this year, I suggest that there be made a permanent venue for such sports so that the billions spent every four years on these events be subsidized by all participants and thus, local areas do not have to go into major debt repayment afterward. Only certain folks benefit from a new venue each and every Olympic Year and it is not the general public.
In Canada, we don’t have a constitution. Therefor can not be unconstitutional.
I wouldnt expect something like this in Canada, tbfh.
The BC government wants the Olympics to run smoothly. The entire world will be watching. Last thing they want is a bunch of yahoo’s running around holding signs and getting in the way.
Let’s face it. Canadians are just not very enterprising or creative. They are missing a good business opportunity to market protest crowds and homeless people as a cultural attraction. Why, they could even plough some of the profits back into funding more protest groups, further enhancing the cultural attraction of protestors, eh? Canada would get known as a nation of protestors, which would be exactly the opposite of today’s reputation for apathy and complacency.
Our grandfathers who died for our freedom by the thousands are turning in the grave! I too am willing to follow in my grandfathers footsteps and fight and die for my freedoms. I truly do not understand how someone would let this pass.
To those who support Bill 13, How many of you wore a poppy to support those who died for exactly what you are working against? Ask yourself if you are a two faced hypocrite. If you are, I ask you never to wear a poppy again or stand in support for those who stood up and fought for your freedoms that you have today.
I encourage all to read the Magna Carta – Oh and those who believe that the Magna Carta is is just a piece of old worthless paper, go to Victoria, visit the Parliament building and ask why it is still hanging on the wall. Keep in mind that the Magna Carta was written for the people to keep past, present, and future parliament from what they are trying to do now.
Canada Guy, et al,
Is this supposed to be some sort of joke?? Can you really make any rational sense of this line of such narrow minded thinking? I, for one am offended! Do you realize how many youth there are in the world that have committed themselves 1000% to their chosen sports since they were in primary school to compete for the glory of their countries on the Olympic stage while you were inactive and cowered under your beds from the ills of the world? Do you realize the character that is built and the work ethic that has been created by the millions of youth that strive to compete at the Olympic level and did not make it? Do you ever stop and think of the true Olympic spirit? Do you ever stop and reflect on the good that the games bring to the world? Wars have stopped to allow the games to run, youth from every ethnic background set aside the malicious thoughts of their countries and come together, united in a common cause. I love the Olympic games!! Every hair on my body stands up during the opening and closing ceremonies because it is a time when we can see that there may be a glimmer of hope for us to all get along and for humanity to unite us in something useful instead of all the usual turmoil in this world. We can see from the spirit of the Olympic games that peace can be a reality and that there is still some good in our collective human spirit. Now Jack asses like you and the many, many others want to wash away the one positive thing that that we as humans do collectively and demand that the Olympic stage be turned over to you and used transformed into a vehicle for blame, negativity and a showcase of the dark side of humanity. Why? Because you are self serving, self righteous pigs that have little or no regard for anyone else! I might say that you represent the polar opposite of the Olympic spirit and the hope the games bring to our ailing planet. You damn bleeding hearts and your negativity think you are doing something useful for humanity, but you’re NOT…YOU ARE WHAT IS WRONG WITH HUMANITY TODAY!!
I applaud the government for their actions to ensure that the true spirit of the Olympic games is heard and not marred by your negativity. There are many, many appropriate venues for your voices to be heard, and they should be, I don’t disagree with the values that those that would disrupt the games speak out for; poverty, healthcare, human rights, global warming, etc, etc,. But we are fortunate to have the honour of hosting the Olympic games we accepted this honour now let’s show the world that we British Columbians are people of character, strong in our beliefs and respectful to the spirit of the games, and not just a bunch of yelling baby’s that have to have our own way. Let’s show the world that we honour and respect the thousands of athletes, coaches, trainers etc that have trained their whole lives to participate in these games. Why should their honour be set aside for someone else’s, who is looking out for their rights? This is their stage! Let’s show the world that we honour and respect the literally billions of people that will watch their countries heroes compete for Olympic glory. Let’s make sure that we allow the banner of peace and global unity to fly high and proud over the Vancouver games as it is intended, because unity and peace are the starting points for solving all the world’s problems! Shouting, protesting, disrespect and destroying the values of the Olympic games will NEVER solve anything..grow-up and get off the stage!
Its wrong, I can get fined $10, 000 and put in jail if I put up a lost dog sign on the lamp post in front of my house. Thats completly ridiculas! We have freedom of speach in Canada. We need to keep it that way.
Yes, we do have freedom of speech. We also have the responsibility to be respectful…the wannabe do gooders of the world, the bleeding hearts and artists seem to forget that part of the equation and trample anything that they seem fit with total and complete disregard for anything else.
Whoah… now THIS is a strong case of brainwashing. Like you, I used to be possessed by the Olympic spirit every other year; I also thought freedom of speech would never be endangered here in Canada, unti I realized how corrupt this whole system is. Get real: the Olympic Games are FAR from being as innocent as you think.