Another HRC travesty

[Urbane]

The latest travesty to come from one of our human rights' tribunals has been overturned by the Ontario Superior Court but when is the lunacy going to end? Most people can tell the difference between genuine human rights complaints and an issue like this one:

Rex Murphy: Human rights meets their match: The microwave oven

February 5, 2011 – 8:08 am

Thank God for the Ontario Superior Court. Or, if you’re a Dawkins man, thank Providence, or Fate, or whatever benign anonymous forces silently preserve the common sense of things. For the Ontario Superior Court, in overruling a recent decision of an Ontario Human Rights tribunal, struck an awesome blow for decency.

The case, according to the tribunal’s overseer, represented discrimination on “the basis of an intersection of … race, ancestry, ethnic origin and place of origin” — which, judging from all the clutter than emerges from it, must be a very busy junction indeed. More prosaically, it involved a newly hired blind, Muslim woman who took her employer — a small, federally-supported business for assisting new immigrants — to court after she had been fired only six weeks into her job.

Arguments over proper office attire were part of the dispute. But by far the most gripping contention centred on how to warm up an entrée: According to the complainant, her employer raised a fuss about the foul-smelling food she cooked in the office microwave. How far we’ve travelled. It’s an interesting moment we’ve reached when the high and noble Enlightenment ideals of human rights and liberty are thrown into fraught juxtaposition with the use and operation of a kitchen appliance.

Until I read the tribunal’s judgment, I never fully appreciated how deeply the commonplace microwave oven could “intersect” with the grand operation of basic human rights. Burke, Wendell Holmes, Solzhenitsyn, America’s founding fathers, even the ancient Greeks: All were silent on the microwave oven. It is the singular gully in the otherwise soaring uplands of Western political speculation.

Fortunately, the tribunal sorted it all out. They found, as they almost always do, for the complainant (Seema Saadi), and against her employer (Maxcine Telfer). “Nothing in the evidence suggests that the respondents deliberately targeted the applicant for discriminatory enforcement of the microwave policy,” concluded the tribunal. “However, the applicant argued that she was adversely affected by the enforcement of the policy.”

There were, it must be noted, from the employer’s point of view, some other serious concerns about the employee’s behaviour that had nothing to do with microwave cookers at all: visiting other peoples’ desks and accessing their computers, for instance. These the tribunal declined to ventilate. The tribunal also would not allow the calling of a witness for the employer, and the Superior Court gave them a tap on the head for not so doing.

The court found the tribunal’s judgment “fatally flawed” and, most damming of all, that it was “simply not possible to logically follow the pathway taken by the adjudicator.” That doesn’t sound so much like an overruling as an expression of judicial shock and horror, and a none-too-subtle cry for help.

Yet it was upon this flawed edifice and impossible reasoning that the tribunal moved on to its penalties. It ordered fines and costs totalling $36,000 against the employer, Ms. Tefler. Since the accused had little money, the lawyers working for the complainant decided they would go after the woman’s house — have it auctioned off — to get the microwave money for their client.

Did no one at this “human rights” tribunal look at the penalty of the ill-decided case and see that the consequences flowing from the penalty was itself the real violation of human rights?

How long must it be before provincial and federal political parties come out of their respective caves of cowardice and timidity and pronounce on the degradation of human rights in Canada? The public are so far ahead of the politicians on this issue that it has become a matter of wonder why the politicians continue to hold back.

National Post

Rex Murphy offers commentary weekly on CBC TV’s The National, and is host of CBC Radio’s Cross Country Checkup.


Read more: http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/201 ... z1D7SZitSq

[The Green Barbarian]

Urbane - thanks for that post! It is clear that despite the light that Ezra Levant shone on the corrupt and morally bankrupt HRC's in this country, they are still at it making stupid decisions and wielding way too much power for their own good. The thought that some kangaroo court operates in every province in this country with the power to take away your house at their whim, and not even allow you the rights that are allowed in a real court of law, such as allowing witnesses to testify on your behalf, using truth as a defence, and even the right of due process, is frightening. The Canadian public by and large is still mostly blissfully ignorant of this travesty that exists, and you can't swing a dead cat in our left-leaning media without hitting some bozo who still wants to leap to the HRC's defence, no matter how bizarre or unfair their rulings. Thank goodness for Rex Murphy at the CBC, basically the only journalist who "gets it" at the CBC. Also - thank goodness that the Ontario courts found some common sense that must have required a lot of effort to dig out from beneath the layers of political correctness that have been imposed upon them.

I still remember when the CBC was doing a "round table" discussion one time and Mansbridge asked everyone what the number one Canadian news story of the year was, and of course expected his question to turn into a "let's all bash Harper" fest like the CBC loves to get into, when Rex Murphy stopped everyone dead and said "beyond question it's the Human Rights Commissions being exposed for their corruption" - Mansbridge's eyes rolled back into his head and everyone sat for a few seconds in stunned silence. How dare Murphy go "off script" like that, and paint something in a negative light that is so near and dear to every social engineer's heart - the ability of a quasi-government "tribunal" to be able to try anyone and everyone it feels like and levy the full judgement of the law against without the accused having even basic defence rights. It's the dream come true of every true social engineer - and its sick, immoral and wrong.

I liked this quote:

How long must it be before provincial and federal political parties come out of their respective caves of cowardice and timidity and pronounce on the degradation of human rights in Canada? The public are so far ahead of the politicians on this issue that it has become a matter of wonder why the politicians continue to hold back.

It is so true. The politicians, even the Conservatives, just don't get it. You expect this kind of backward thinking from the NDP, who want to control every aspect of our daily lives. That's why it was with much sickness and no surprise that when reading Carole James' last "platform" for the recent provincial election, it was right there in black and white how she wanted to "expand the role and power of the Human Rights' Tribunal, including implementing a 24 hour "hate hotline" so that neighbours could report on neighbours if they witnessed hate crimes occurring and report them immediately". This kind of facist crap is what you expect from social engineering fools that inhabit the NDP politburo. But it's also diametrically opposed to everything that is Canadian - including freedom and liberty. End this crap now - and as Ezra says about the HRC's - FIRE. THEM. ALL.

[Homeownertoo]

I didn't know that little tidbit about the NDP platform. Even if it's not true, why am I so ready to believe it?

[Urbane]

The abuses by the HRCs are certainly flying under the radar in this country. Occasionally a case like this latest one gets some publicity, thanks to someone like Rex Murphy, but then the whole issue fades quickly. What we have are kangaroo courts trampling on the rights of people and our politicians sit by timidly. In fairness to the NDP they're generally in favour of what's going on so there's no reason for them to blow the whistle. But for the Liberals, at least to some extent, and certainly the Conservatives it's disappointing to hear virtually nothing in opposition to these quasi-legal bodies making a mockery of our freedoms. Imagine people being charged and not being permitted to call witnesses. Imagine having to pay your own legal fees while the complainant has his or her legal fees paid for by taxpayers. And all the complainant has to do is prove that he or she was "offended." That's the key word - "offended." Well, I'm offended by the HRCs so where do I go to collect damages?

[The Green Barbarian]

The abuses by the HRCs are certainly flying under the radar in this country. Occasionally a case like this latest one gets some publicity, thanks to someone like Rex Murphy, but then the whole issue fades quickly. What we have are kangaroo courts trampling on the rights of people and our politicians sit by timidly. In fairness to the NDP they're generally in favour of what's going on so there's no reason for them to blow the whistle. But for the Liberals, at least to some extent, and certainly the Conservatives it's disappointing to hear virtually nothing in opposition to these quasi-legal bodies making a mockery of our freedoms. Imagine people being charged and not being permitted to call witnesses. Imagine having to pay your own legal fees while the complainant has his or her legal fees paid for by taxpayers. And all the complainant has to do is prove that he or she was "offended." That's the key word - "offended." Well, I'm offended by the HRCs so where do I go to collect damages?

Urbane - the reason that Harper won't kill off these abominations right now is that he's in a minority government and so there's really nothing in it for him to stir the pot on this issue. You know the minute they make any reforms the braying jack-ass Layton will try and score points with the Canadian public by blathering on about how Harper doesn't "care about the rights of minorities in Canada" etc etc. That's the real issue here - these HRC's are trampling on everyone's rights, while protecting relatively few. But this is a difficult issue for most people to grasp, given how little they really care as not that many people ever cross paths with HRC's. Ezra Levant even admitted that he had never really paid attention to HRC's until one day he was brought up on charges by a local imam, who at first had demanded that Ezra be arrested, given that's what you do in Saudi Arabia when you want to charge someone with the crime of blasphemy - you just call the cops on them, and the accused is arrested, and most likely tortured. Instead - the guy got a full hearing with the HRC, and Ezra was forced to spend $100K defending himself in a kangaroo court, while the accuser, the imam, got a full ride on the Canadian taxpayer.

The majority of Canadians really want Canada to be known as a caring country - so that's why, on the surface, the HRC's are an easy sell, as they are supposed to be our government watchdogs that protect the little guy. In reality they are a giant farce. But the Taliban Jack's of the world can easily spin the BS message, as well as spin any sort of reform, as a negative -which is is of course to Taliban Jack's detriment, and ultimately, Canada's detriment. I remain hopeful that one day we will see reforms, but I don't see that happening until there is once again a majority government in Ottawa.

[Urbane]

Good analysis GB. People are simply not paying attention to this issue (look at the lack of posts on here anytime the subject comes up) and someone like Layton could point to any proposed changes by the government as part of Harper's "secret agenda." In the absence of government action I would hope to see a court challenge to this whole system. Genuine human rights should be protected but what's happening with these HRCs is idiotic.

[grammafreddy]

We can't post - it's not PC.

Somebody would play the "racial bias/prejudice/whatever" card before the "Submit" button clicked through.

[The Green Barbarian]

We can't post - it's not PC.

Somebody would play the "racial bias/prejudice/whatever" card before the "Submit" button clicked through.

well then that's a violation of your freedom of speech rights, and I'd say you had a good case for a human rights tribunal hearing. :dyinglaughing:

[Bagotricks]

...and on the other side of the world someone isn't getting a job because of their gender, isn't getting fair treatment because of their race, or is being harassed or assaulted for what they do in their bedrooms.

[The Green Barbarian]

...and on the other side of the world someone isn't getting a job because of their gender, isn't getting fair treatment because of their race, or is being harassed or assaulted for what they do in their bedrooms.

the sad part is Bago - that none of the things you describe above are what the HRC's are actually doing. If they were, then at least they would have some redeeming qualities.

[Rwede]

removed - Jennylives

[Urbane]

I find it amazing what some people see as "human rights violations."

SASKATOON — A Christian prayer by a city councillor at a City of Saskatoon volunteer appreciation dinner discriminated against non-Christians, says a volunteer who intends to complain to the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission.

Ashu Solo, a member of the city’s cultural diversity and race relations committee, was among the guests at the dinner Wednesday, where Coun. Randy Donauer said a blessing over the food in which he mentioned Jesus and ended with “amen.”

“It made me feel like a second-class citizen. It makes you feel excluded,” said Solo, who is an atheist.

“It’s ironic that I’ve now become a victim of religious bigotry and discrimination at this banquet that was supposed to be an appreciation banquet for the service of volunteers like me.”

The inclusion of a Christian prayer at a municipal government event violates the separation of religion and government, Solo wrote in a lengthy email to Mayor Don Atchison, which he later distributed to the rest of council.

Solo also takes issue with a prayer that “clearly gives primacy to one religion over all other religions” at a municipal event paid for with Saskatoon taxpayer money.

“This is not a Christian country or a Christian city. It is a secular multicultural country and secular multicultural city with people from numerous religions as well as spiritual people, agnostics and atheists,” Solo said.

Municipal officials should not use their offices to “perform religious bigotry, as this is,” or “to impose their own religious beliefs on others,” Solo said.

Atchison said he was caught off-guard by the complaint because many of the events he attends include a prayer before meals.

“I’ve never given it any thought at all,” he said.

Atchison said he is sorry to hear Solo felt excluded.

He suggested in the future, the dinner could feature prayers from different religions on a rotating basis. There could even be a dinner with no prayer at all for atheists, he said.

Solo said the rotation idea will not work because there are thousands of religions.

He wants an apology from the mayor and a promise there won’t be any more prayers at City of Saskatoon events. He said if he does not receive those by next Friday, he will proceed with a human rights complaint naming the City of Saskatoon, Atchison and Donauer.

“That will give us a few days to think about it and see what we need to do here,” Atchison said. “I certainly couldn’t give that (assurance and apology) to anyone right now.”

Saskatoon StarPhoenix

[bob vernon]

This "equality" nonsense has to end somewhere. Why can't this country be just like it was in the good old days with none of these offbeat religions. We all know that God, the Christian one, is the best God. After all, he made us stronger than those other ones and their weaker economies and cultures. I just wonder sometimes why He even allows them to exist. Maybe after the Rapture there will be only one.

[grammafreddy]

This "equality" nonsense has to end somewhere. Why can't this country be just like it was in the good old days with none of these offbeat religions. We all know that God, the Christian one, is the best God. After all, he made us stronger than those other ones and their weaker economies and cultures. I just wonder sometimes why He even allows them to exist. Maybe after the Rapture there will be only one.

Oh, bull.

[Drongoman]

“It made me feel like a second-class citizen. It makes you feel excluded,” said Solo, who is an atheist.

anyone who has watched Star wars knows that Han Solo is an atheist who just wants a good blaster by his side. :sillygrin: