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Grad 2014 Amy Rorke performs with precision during graduation from the CHAAPS program while instructor Terry Nichols rides beside her. For more photos see Friday’s Observer. Karen Powell photo
Topham receives support from OCLA AUTUMN MacDONALD Observer Reporter The Ontario Civil Liberties Association (OCLA) has thrown their support behind local journalist Arthur Topham. “My wife and I are extremely pleased and relieved that finally a prestigious organization such as the Ontario Civil Liberties Association has taken the time to review the case and rightfully conclude that it is a precedent setting one and important to Canadians everywhere
in terms of their Charter right to free expression,” Topham said. “In 2012, the Conservative government repealed the former Section 13 hate crime legislation then contained in the Canadian Human Rights Code because it was deemed unconstitutional. “Now we’re seeing the OCLA challenge the last remaining hate propaganda laws in the Criminal Code, Sections 318 to 320; laws that tend to benefit only certain small portions of Canada’s
21 and Still Having Fun Quesnel Women’s Fall Challenge Sunday, October 5, 2014
Half Marathon, 10 km walk or run, 5 km walk or run
population and are very susceptible to political manipulation. This initiative will hopefully free all Canadians of these draconian laws that have no place in a free and democratic society.” Topham was arrested and his house searched and items seized in late May of 2012 after it was determined there were “reasonable grounds the offence of promotion of hatred was committed.” The OCLA statement regarding Topham’s case states:
“Topham is a peaceful married man, a father of four, grandfather of eight and a small business man in a rural community, who has not previously been charged with any crime. In 2012, he was arrested in front of his spouse, detained and has been subjected to a broad house-invasive seizure, and to many preliminary court proceedings, in which he is now self represented by necessity.” The document then goes on to highlight justification for support.
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“The Ontario Civil Liberties Association believes that the proceedings against Mr. Topham are systemically political in nature and should not be consuming public, police, and judicial resources. “We believe that the proceedings are harmful to Canadian society, in addition to being unacceptably unjust towards a citizen. “The Ontario Civil Liberties Association knows of no scientific basis (sociological or psychological) whereby the emotion
of “hate” can be causally and deterministically induced in a person by a communicator of words posted to a website.” The organization is asking the attorney general to retract “her consent for the proceedings against Topham in the interest of preserving a just and democratic Canada.” Topham is next in court Oct. 27 if convicted he faces two years in jail. To sign the OCLA petition in support for Topham, www.change. org.
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