Editor:
While fervently welcoming the 2010 Olympics I cannot tolerate Bill 13, wherein it is proposed to allow authorities to enter one's home and seize communication material deemed 'Olympically' offensive. Such legislation is a monstrous subversion of our basic freedoms. This is not a law affecting only Vancouver residents but a highjacking of rights that is offensive to all Canadians.
There is no specific guarantee of privacy of one's home in the Constitution, but an overarching tenet in common law holds that homes be sacrosanct; authorities may only enter by warrant. It would seem that Bill 13 is being trotted out as equal to a warrant. We hear VANOC officials clucking that we should co-operate to show our best face to our Olympic visitors; we may well show a best face but our underarms will reek of Bill 13 fascism.
What would constitute offensive communication material is unclear. It is touted that the bill seeks only to prohibit ambush advertising e.g., a sign on one's balcony competing with that of an Olympic sponsor. It is less clear whether a political banner e.g., 'Olympic cost overruns oppressive to taxpayers' would also be the target of seizure. Either way, the bill would be an egregious gagging of freedom of expression. The BC Civil Liberties Association is mounting a constitutional challenge to the bill, as they should; but it is not enough. All citizens need to join the protest; and we need to hear more noise from the Opposition.
Whether the B.C. government, by artful legal contrivance, can justify Bill 13, will soon be evident, as they fast-track it through the House. However rationalized, stifling of communication via home search is an obscene, jack-booted incursion into the basic freedom of every Canadian person. All Canadians should rally to shout their objection to this travesty; call or write your elected representatives; write your newspapers (which nationwide, for shame, have largely relegated this story to page six and a few letters to the editor) call your talk shows; march in the street; make some noise. Get the message to all MLAs party to this legislation that for even considering such a corruption of our freedoms, they will be sent packing.
George Pratt
Halfmoon Bay
