The CRTC (Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission), which currently consists of 11 appointed members (all appointed under the former Liberal government), has always detested single faith broadcasting. In fact, over the years, it has repeatedly rejected the applications for licenses by single faith broadcasters, claiming that public air space should not be allocated to special interest groups. Only very reluctantly and only under intense political pressure, has it given its grudging approval to a few single faith broadcasters, such as the Miracle Channel in Lethbridge in 1994, and Crossroads Christian Communications in 1997.
Meanwhile, the CRTC has happily licensed the special interest Playboy Channel in 1996 and the homosexual channel, Pride Vision in 2000. To explain its hypocrisy, the CRTC Commissioners stated that granting licenses to these latter special interest groups was based on Canada's recognition of "diversity". The truth is that Canadian broadcasting is open to diversity only if the broadcasters have a left of centre or liberal perspective: "diversity", due to a conservative, perspective is not worthy of recognition.
One of the single faith broadcasters to which the CRTC has repeatedly denied a license is the US based conservative Catholic Network, Mother Angelica's Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). This network has been safely beaming its programmes around the world into 118 million homes in 127 countries without anyone being overcome by shock due to the contents of its programmes. Still, the CRTC has deemed EWTN too risky for Canadian eyes and ears.
However, finally, under pressure, in September of 2001, the CRTC allowed EWTN to be shown on Rogers Cable and satellite in Canada.
This was a breakthrough for EWTN. However, the difficulty it experienced in acquiring its license to broadcast in Canada has made the network extremely wary of Canada and the CRTC, with its obvious preference for politically correct content.
Consequently, EWTN was especially concerned and alarmed when the amendments to the Criminal Code prohibiting "hate" crimes on the basis of sexual orientation were passed in 2004.
This amendment was introduced by former NDP M.P., Svend Robinson, and was supported by the Liberal government. Unfortunately "hate" is not defined in this section of the Code and, therefore, no one knows exactly what constitutes a "hate" crime. "Sexual orientation" is not defined in this provision either, so we don't know what that expression entails. Does it include pedophilia and bestiality, so that they are protected under the "hate" propaganda provisions as well? In view of the uncertainty, EWTN has steered a wide berth around homosexual issues in its programming aired in Canada and Europe.
This caution arose when EWTN received a complaint, filed in the United Kingdom (UK) in September 2005, in connection with an episode of ETWN's "Life on the Rocks" programme when it dealt with homosexuality. Although EWTN successfully defended itself in this UK case, the experience left it nervous about all episodes dealing with homosexuality.
On March 2, 2006, EWTN's programme "Life on the Rocks" featured former homosexual Stephen Bennett and his wife, Irene, with whom he is happily married and with whom he is the father of two children. The programme was to cover the subject of same-sex attraction. Although the programme was advertised in Canada, it was not aired as promised. According to EWTN's Vice President, Scott Hults, the programme was pulled from EWTN's Canadian and European feeds because of the network's "sensitivity" to Canada's "needs" which, regretfully, appears to mean that it needs to be politically correct on the homosexual issue.
This is a prime example of how the amendment to the hate crime provision in the Criminal Code on sexual orientation is stifling free speech. The mere existence of this provision means that even without charges ever being laid, debate is stifled. That is, the mere existence of the provision is sufficient to close down discussion on the homosexual issue. This is disturbing and highly unacceptable in a democracy.
Please write to the following, to request that the hate crime provision in the Criminal Code be amended to delete the controversial protection which protects only certain designated groups, not others, in Canada. That is, either the hate propaganda provision should protect all Canadians, or the entire hate propaganda provision in the Criminal Code should be totally deleted. As it is currently written, the hate propaganda provision is a discriminatory provision, which provides special protection to only a few select groups of Canadians, but not to everyone.
Please write to:
The Right Hon. Stephen Harper
Prime Minister of Canada
Langevin Building 80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A2
Hon Victor Toews, P.C. M.P.
Minister of Justice
Justice Canada
East Memorial Building, 4th floor 284 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H8
Your MP
c/o House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6 |
