timeimmortal

But, given their rather unambiguous statement on the value of freedom of expression, the Alberta Liberal Party is looking like a pretty good choice compared to Ed Stelmach’s Progressive Conservative party. Especially since Ed can’t seem to sort out his head from his butt when it comes to said same important issue:

“We have in the Province of Alberta a system where the Alberta Human Rights Commission, um, hears, ah, different cases that come forward, uh, under the Charter, and protection of human rights. I know that, ah, this is an issue that came as a result of some comments made, uh, and cartoons I believe with respect to the Muslim faith. Uh, and, uh, it’s–it’s most unfortunate because Alberta is a mosaic of many cultures, and, uh, our goal is here to, of course, the additional resources we put in to arts and culture that we bring — uh, just better understanding the various cultures in the Province of Alberta that we can live together in peace.”

Does anyone know what that means — other than the man politically responsible for the Alberta Human Rights Commission hasn’t got a clue?

His statement was one part free association, one part drivel, two parts political correctness and five or six empty cliches, all delivered with the hestitation of a deer caught in the headlights.

Ugh. What an embarrassment.

The Alberta Liberal Party stands up for freedom of expression:

The Alberta Liberal Party supports Mr. Levant’s freedom to express his opinions and to maintain, what the American Supreme Court termed, “the marketplace of ideas“. If citizens and publishers don’t maintain the limits of their freedoms it would bring about a chill in fundamental freedoms which could adversely affect all Canadians. The Alberta Liberal Party shares the opinion expressed in Ross v. New Brunswick School District No.15; when discussing the importance and limits of expression, Justice La Forest opined in s. 2(b):

“…[freedom of expression] is not restricted to views shared or accepted by the majority, nor to truthful opinions. Rather, freedom of expression serves to protect the right of the minority to express its view, however unpopular such views may be…”

I think it would be fair to ask every Progressive Conservative candidate what his or her party’s take on this issue is. Freedom of expression is, frankly, a substantially more important issue than oil revenues.