Never has freedom of speech been so vulnerable in Canada, but I will be privileged to take personal inspiration and hope for change on this front at three events on my spring calendar. On April 26 in Montreal, as chair of the committee that is mounting the event, I will be introducing Jordan Peterson, keynote speaker for the Montreal Press Club’s inaugural freedom award ceremony, honouring courage in journalism. Our recipient is Raif Badawi, the famous blogger tortured and imprisoned for voicing opinions frowned upon by the Saudi regime. Efforts have been rebuffed in the past, but as events and alliances shift, it cannot hurt to try again. On June 15, the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, on whose board I sit, will present its inaugural George Jonas Freedom award at a dinner I am pleased to help plan.

Source: National Post April 03, 2018 16:54 UTC