5 Feet of Fury

Jason Kenney defends free speech in Parliament

Mr. Wayne Marston (Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, NDP): “Mr. Speaker, the Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity) deserves an opportunity to respond to allegations made recently by Ezra Lavant, who is head over heels for the Liberal motion that would gut the Canadian Human Rights Act. Mr. Levant says the Secretary of State supports his view that ‘these commissions are violating human rights, not protecting them.’

“Knowing their shared history and personal relationship, I thought it best to clarify the Conservative position on this illogical Liberal motion. Can the Secretary of State clearly state today all Conservative MPs will vote against the motion and that he personally condemns the motion in the strongest possible terms?”

Hon. Jason Kenney (Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity), CPC): “Mr. Speaker, I am absolutely on the public record defending freedom of speech because this government and this party believe in our constitutionally entrenched and protected rights to freedom of expression, freedom of speech and freedom of the press and we will always defend those freedoms, those ancient freedoms.”

(from the “Blues” — thanks you-know-who)