‘Canada really doesn’t believe in free speech’ Claire Hoy, April 1

Claire is wrong about this - that Canada doesn’t believe in free speech. Hundreds, thousands of Canadians have said over and over that they care deeply about freedom of speech. In poll after poll, editorials and letters, from big shots and little guys, Canadians of all stripes, even from the overburdening constituency of preprogrammed socialists that we have in Canada, we have heard, over and over, ad nauseum, that they believe in free speech.

The only people in our country who don’t, as he pointed out, are those who make their living opposing free speech - the various and sundry mis-named “Human Rights” Commissioners, bureaucrats, public servants and their hangers-on and, of course, the cowardly political class.

Yes, Claire, you are right about this: There is not one of them who has enough courage, principle or self-respect to defend the values that Canadians cherish in this matter, certainly not our esteemed, so-called conservative, Prime Minister and his cowardly brigade. On second thought, yes there is one, beg pardon ~ the admirable Dr. Keith Martin, a Liberal, who has tried valiantly from the very beginning to lead with principle in this vital matter. So please, Mr. Hoy, do not blame Canadians for this soft, underbelly of our society and do not lump real Canadians in with these misanthropists.

It is bad enough that we must choke on their lack of leadership in this crucial and urgent matter. Surely it is unfair that we must now be publicly and internationally identified with them.

Sharon Maclise

Edmonton