Sample Letters
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Federal Sample Letter #1
Dear Mr./Mrs.
I’m very grateful for the freedoms that we have in this country and for your role in keeping our land free. But I am concerned with the lack of action by our leaders in response to the censorship by means of the federal and provincial Human Rights Commissions. Some of the original intentions for a human rights commission may have been good, but there is little debate about the fact that these quasi-judicial bodies have taken on a completely different role and have become tools in the hands of activists to silence any opposition to their political agenda.
As you may be aware, the commissions and tribunals do not have to abide by the long-standing rules of justice that are the norm in our court system. The due process of law is ignored, evidence can be based on hear-say, and hurt feelings are enough to find someone guilty of inciting hatred. Regular legal defences of truth, fair comment, and lack of intent to harm don’t apply in the HRC’s. With this kind of criteria, it isn’t too much of a surprise that for 32 years the Canadian Human Rights Commission has had a 100% conviction rate for all Section 13 prosecutions. That finally ended when it was declared unconstitutional in 2009.
There are many people calling for changes to the power of this commission, or even for its complete removal. Former Liberal MP Keith Martin had a Private Member’s Motion (M-153) that asked for the removal of Section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act, which has been responsible for much of the censorship. Even the CHRC’s own investigation into its actions, by Richard Moon, concluded that Section 13 should be repealed. It wasn’t long ago that Justice Committee began an examination into the CHRC’s conduct. Sadly, in spite of the public outcry against the HRC, our legislators are doing little to curtail or remove it.
I realize that taking actions against a body that goes under the name of human rights may not be the most politically correct thing to do. But the inaction is coming at the cost of our basic freedoms. I urge you to please do what you can to rein this bureaucracy in. I would like to see the commissions and tribunals, along with the Human Rights Act, removed completely as there are already sufficient avenues of help for people facing discrimination or hate. But even reform of the commission’s powers would be greatly appreciated.
Yours sincerely,
[Name]
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Federal Sample Letter # 2
Dear Honourable [Name of MP]
Thank you very much for your ongoing service for this riding.
Recently I have been made aware of Canadian Human Rights Commission and how it has been consistently undermining the fundamental freedoms that are listed in Section 2a of our Charter. You will agree that the freedom to speak, believe, and assemble are some of the important pillars of this nation. And yet when these freedoms clash with the so-called “rights” that are being held to by the CHRC, a common outcome is that these new “rights” trump the basic freedoms. As a result, the CHRC has become a favourite place for activists to pursue their agendas by instigating complaints against practices that they simply don’t like. Consider these facts:
- The Tribunals do not have to abide by the long-standing rules of justice that are the norm in our court system. The due process of law is ignored, evidence can be based on hear-say, and hurt feelings are enough to find someone guilty of inciting hatred. Regular legal defences of truth, fair comment, and lack of intent to harm don’t apply in the HRC’s.
- With this kind of criteria, it isn’t too much of a surprise that for 32 years the Canadian Human Rights Commission had a 100% conviction rate for all Section 13 cases brought before it. That finally ended when it was declared unconstitutional in 2009.
- The HRC complaint process has itself become a favourite tool of activists to silence and bankrupt their political enemies. If a case is accepted, the complainant does not have to pay any of the costs, even if they lose the case. On the other hand, the defendant must cover all of their own legal expenses, even if they win. Simply being brought before a HRC is a significant penalty.
- Human Rights Commissions have actively sought complaints of borderline legitimacy in order to increase its workload. CHRC staff have also stated that they post their own online comments on anti-Semitic and racist forums find and entrap others.
- The Commissions actively lobby parliament to create more civil rights that further restrict our fundamental rights. Some have even gone so far as to use their policy-making powers to “read in” new rights into the provincial human rights codes.
- The Commissions have more investigative powers than the police. The Commissions have no procedures or safeguards to ensure that their investigations are carried out in a proper and ethical manner.
- There is no complaint mechanism by which the Commission and its staff can be held to account. In the face of widespread public criticism, the Canadian HRC hand-picked their own expert and paid him $50,000 to review their practices. This back-fired when the investigator himself concluded that the censorship powers of the CHRC had to be removed. The CHRC has ignored this report and continues its censorship unabated.
I don’t understand how these things can continue. It was good to hear that the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights started an inquiry into these practices of the CHRC. Unfortunately this was interrupted and I don’t know if they will resume. I urge you to reengage the discussion in Parliament so that some significant changes be made and our fundamental freedoms are upheld.
Please let me know what you can do to address this matter.
Sincerely,
Federal or Provincial Sample Letter #3
Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms
This is just a quick note to ask that you please check out a new campaign that is geared towards protecting the fundamental freedoms of Canadians in light of the actions of the country’s Human Rights Commissions and Tribunals. The campaign website is www.HumanRightsCommissions.ca.
You are probably aware that this issue has resonated with the grassroots as most major newspapers have written editorials against the abuse of authority by these quasi-judicial bodies. When people are made aware of what is going on, they are always shocked at the lack of action by our legislators.
This is the type of issue where siginficant changes can be made if only brave leaders stand up on principle. I am confident that you will receive a lot of support if you take up this issue. Leaders from a spectrum of parties have spoken out already and both Alberta and Saskatchewan have indicated that they plan to begin reforms of the commissions in their provinces.
I look forward to hearing what you think of the website and what you can do to keep this land free.
Sincerely,
Sample Letter #4
Dear Honourable
Please note that I am one more constituent who strongly supports the abolishment of the Canadian Human Rights Commission. If you are looking for reasons why, please check out www.HumanRightsCommissions.ca, a quality and reasoned site that explores both the problems of the CHRC and the options available for legislators to take.
Sincerely,
Sample Letter #5
Dear Honourable
Please note that I am one more constituent who strongly supports reforming the Canadian Human Rights Commission by getting rid of Section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Code. Private Member’s Motion 153 is requesting this as well. If you are looking for reasons why action needs to be taken, please check out www.HumanRightsCommissions.ca, a quality and reasoned site that explores both the problems of the CHRC and the options available for legislators to take.
Sincerely
Sample Letter #6 (BC Only)
Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms./Honorable [Name of MLA]
I’m very grateful for the freedoms that we have in this country and for your role in keeping our land free. But I am concerned with the lack of action by our provincial leaders in response to the threats to those freedoms presented by the BC Human Rights Tribunal. Today, there is little debate about the fact that this quasi-judicial body has expanded its scope far beyond what was originally intended, and has now become a tool in the hands of activists to silence any opposition to their political agenda.
As you may be aware, the tribunal does not have to abide by the long-standing rules of justice that are the norm in our court system. The due process of law is ignored, evidence can be based on hear-say, and hurt feelings are enough to find someone guilty of inciting hatred. Regular legal defences of truth, fair comment, and lack of intent to harm don’t apply in a Tribunal hearing.
Several recent rulings have shown that the tribunal’s intention is to force their own social agenda upon the people of British Columbia. A few years ago, the tribunal decided to hear the case against MacLean’s and Mark Steyn, which shows that it entertains the thought of using its powers to stifle freedom of the press and freedom of expression. More recently, it overrode policy decisions made by the Ministry of Education, headed by an elected official, concerning funding for learning-disabled students in North Vancouver school district. It even penalized a fast-food operation for requiring sanitary measures from its employees as a strict condition for continued employment.
I realize that taking actions against a body that goes under the name of human rights may not be the most politically correct thing to do. But the inaction is coming at the cost of our fundamental freedoms. I urge you to please do what you can to rein this bureaucracy in. I would like to see tribunal, along with the Human Rights Act, removed completely as there are already sufficient avenues of help for people facing true discrimination. In the interim, even a reform of the tribunal’s powers would be greatly appreciated.
Yours sincerely,
[Name]
Sample Letter #7 (Alberta Only)
Dear Honourable [Name of MLA]
I am encouraged to hear that the Alberta government has recognized that there are some serious problems with the Alberta Human Rights Commission and Tribunal. The steps taken to reform it, including the new Chief Commissioner and Director, are in the right direction. However, I urge you to go much further than this to protect our fundamental freedoms.
The December 2009 ruling by the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench that overturned the tribunal decision against former pastor Stephen Boissoin made it abundantly clear that the tribunal has deviated far from a credible public institution of justice. Today, there is little debate about the fact that this quasi-judicial body has expanded its scope far beyond what was originally intended, and has now become a tool in the hands of activists to silence any opposition to their political agenda.
As you may be aware, the tribunal does not have to abide by the long-standing rules of justice that are the norm in our court system. The due process of law is ignored, evidence can be based on hear-say, and hurt feelings are enough to find someone guilty of inciting hatred. Regular legal defences of truth, fair comment, and lack of intent to harm don’t apply in a Tribunal hearing.
Superficial changes to the leadership and procedures of the Commission and Tribunal aren’t enough to address these problems. At the very least, Section 3 of the Alberta Human Rights Act needs to be repealed and Section 7(1)(c) needs to be changed to protect freedom of religion and conscience. Saskatchewan is talking about getting rid of its tribunal all-together. The reality is that there is already a justice system and numerous other bodies where people can go to address grievances.
It is a matter of time that Alberta will stand up for its fundamental freedoms. I urge you to take serious action now rather than wait until the Commission and Tribunal cause more harm.
Yours sincerely,
