BPC Bulletins: Mike Ward

News Reports and Commentary Selected by Franklin Carter of the Book and Periodical Council’s Freedom of Expression Committee

In Montreal, the Quebec Court of Appeal is hearing Mike Ward’s appeal of a decision of Quebec’s human rights tribunal.

Mr. Ward is a stand-up comedian. In 2016, the tribunal fined him $42,000 for repeatedly joking about Jérémy Gabriel, a young singer who has a physical disability.

REPORTAGE

In Montreal, CTV News reports:
https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/it-s-a-joke-comedian-mike-ward-appeals-judgment-in-joke-about-disabled-boy-1.4256121

Giuseppe Valiante of the Canadian Press reports:
https://globalnews.ca/news/4853954/quebec-comic-mike-ward-in-court-defending-joke-about-jeremy-gabriel/

ON VIDEO

In August 2016, Mike Ward was interviewed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe about the dispute:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5gZz_RYFGM

The Book and Periodical Council was formed in 1975 as the Book and Periodical Development Council to provide a venue for members to discuss industry issues, address mutual concerns and undertake projects for the benefit of Canadian writing and publishing.