A request by Collingwood council to enlist the support of a national organization in lobbying the government for changes to hate speech laws has passed one more hurdle.
The national board of directors for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) has supported Collingwood’s request, which will be passed on to the full membership for a vote at the June 2021 annual general meeting.
Collingwood is asking to petition the Canadian Government to “clarify and strengthen the definition of hate speech” to include recognition of psychological harm that can be caused by hateful symbols.
The request from the town is part of a response to resident complaints about a Confederate flag flying at least one private residence in town.
Councillor Kathy Jeffery brought the town’s request to FCM in her role as a national director on the board.
She expects the request to gain support at the AGM.
“I’m assuming it’s going to be very successful, and it will come with the full weight of over 2,000 municipalities representing more than 90 per cent of Canadians,” she told council last night (March 15).
Earlier this month, the City of Brampton municipal council added its endorsement of the request to FCM with unanimous support for Collingwood’s ask.
The AGM will take place in June. A positive vote at the AGM would not change Canada’s hate speech laws, but would instead mean the national organization would be lobbying the federal government to make changes.
