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Freedom of Expression and the Public's Right to Know

Genuine democracy, advancement of knowledge, individual self-development, and social justice depend on a society in which freedom of expression and the right to know are a reality for everyone. The Centre for Free Expression works to advance these rights though public education, advocacy, law reform, research, advisory services, policy analysis, assistance to courts, and organizational collaborations.

The Latest

News June 17, 2019

BPC Bulletin: Federal Government Committee Considers Hateful Expression on the Internet

News Reports and Commentary Selected by Franklin Carter of the Book and Periodical Council’s Freedom of Expression Committee   In Ottawa, a federal government committee is considering ways to stem the tide of hate propaganda and incitement to hatred on the Internet. The House Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights is chaired and dominated by Liberal MPs. However, Conservative MPs and one New Democratic MP also sit on the committee.
Page June 17, 2019

Three Trudeau ministers among those stalling access to information requests

The ministers overseeing Health, Justice and Innovation departments must do a better job of living up to the prime minister's promises of transparency. By Ken Rubin June 17, 2019 - There comes a time, as the 2019 election looms, that the Trudeau government's handling of access to information requests of public importance needs to be more specifically exposed.
Access-to-Information
Page June 13, 2019

Why the secrecy on this "expert" centre?

Public Safety Canada confirms that this information gatekeeper exists, and notes the concept for it was briefly mentioned in the government's 2017 national security green paper. Yet there's not a word on it in the national security Bill C-59. By Ken Rubin
Access-to-Information
News June 10, 2019

BPC Bulletin: Defamation Lawsuit News Roundup

News Reports and Commentary Selected by Franklin Carter of the Book and Periodical Council’s Freedom of Expression Committee   The following news reports about Canadian defamation lawsuits appeared in the Canadian news media. The lawsuits, which affect or affected writers and publishers, originated in Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia. REPORTAGE May 2019
News June 5, 2019

BPC Bulletin: Your Ward News Update

News Reports and Commentary Selected by Franklin Carter of the Book and Periodical Council’s Freedom of Expression Committee   In a Toronto courtroom, the sentencing of a convicted hatemonger has been postponed a second time. James Sears, the editor of Your Ward News, now faces sentencing in the Ontario Court of Justice on July 15, 2019. Mr. Sears has also fired his lawyer.