Ezra Levant loses libel case

A judge, we’re not sure from which court, has ruled Ezra Levant has defamed a lawyer for the Canadian Human Rights Commission; he was fined $25,o00 and ordered to take his comments off his web site. The judge cited Levant’s “reckless indifference” to accuracy in the case, and noted Levant’s actions don’t fall within the “responsible communications” guidelines of the Supreme Court, like checking for facts. The right has been tilting at human rights commissions for a couple of years, blithely indifferent to the fact that the commissions have to work within the law, and all their decisions are appealable to a true court, protecting citizens from careless decisions or personal crusades.

J-Source, November 23 2010

Levant wins Human Rights case

I’ve never had a big regard for Ezra Levant, particularly in his “Stockaholic” days as Director of Communications for Stockwell Day’s Reform/Alliance party. However, he has some points worth taking seriously in his recent win over publishing the Danish Mohamed cartoons, particularly the financial/media chill that can encourage people to settle quietly (and cheaply) rather than fight their cause. However, HRC’s have done some cutting edge work, such as ensuring that women can’t be fired for being pregnant, or that the boss can’t verbally/sexually abuse you just because he/she’s the boss. And there is a limit on HRC’s: their decisions have to be able to be withstood by the courts and the Charter. Still, give Ezra his day; he’s spent some time, money, idealism and passion defending free speech and we should say thanks.

National Post, August 7 2008