“Free Speech is a Human Right”: Kerry-Lynne Findlay Pledges to “Save Free Speech in BC”, Overhaul Section 7 of the BC Human Rights Code and Strengthen Protection for Freedom of Expression
Surrey, BC: Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Leader of Findlay for BC, today announced that if elected Premier of British Columbia, her common sense Conservative government will immediately overhaul the BC Human Rights Code to enshrine the strongest possible protections for freedom of speech by formally re-emphasizing free speech as a fundamental human right in provincial law.
“Free Speech is a Human Right,” declared Findlay. “The BC Human Rights Tribunal’s outrageous $750,000 penalty against former Chilliwack School Trustee Barry Neufeld shows exactly how broken the BC Human Rights Tribunal system has become. As a former Canadian Human Rights Tribunal judge, I have seen firsthand how human rights protections must be applied with fairness, proportionality, and above all, respect for freedom of speech, especially in public policy debates like education.”
“We must Save Free Speech in BC. Under my reliable conservative leadership, we will end the era of ideological censorship and ensure parents and citizens can debate what is taught in our schools without facing financial ruin at the hands of an unelected tribunal.”
Findlay’s plan will restore balance to the Human Rights Code by:
- Overhaul the excessively broad and discretionary Section 7 of the BC Human Rights Code to prevent infringement of British Columbians’ freedom of expression.
- Adding explicit, ironclad protections for freedom of expression that prioritize open debate, diversity of thought, and the right of parents, elected officials, and citizens to speak without fear of financial ruin.
- Amending the Code to emphasize in provincial law that free speech is a fundamental human right, ensuring the Tribunal can no longer weaponize “injury to dignity, feelings and self-respect” to silence dissenting views on controversial issues.
“British Columbians deserve a Human Rights Code that truly protects all rights - starting with the foundational right to free speech,” Findlay continued.
This commitment builds directly on Findlay’s recent public statement condemning the Neufeld ruling as “ruinous” and calling for the repeal of SOGI 123. The changes will leave intact legitimate anti-discrimination rules in employment, housing and services (Sections 8–14), as well as the Criminal Code - while preventing the overreach of certain BC Human Rights Tribunal decisions.
British Columbians can sign up to support Kerry-Lynne Findlay’s campaign for Premier and Leader of the Conservative Party of BC by visiting: HTTPS://WWW.FINDLAY4BC.CA/JOIN
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