Caroline Proulx, authoritarian minister and enemy of freedom of expression
We learned Friday that the Minister of Tourism, Caroline Proulx, has decided to prohibit the holding of a symposium at the Convention Centre, which belongs to the government. The reason: this conference was organized
by an association campaigning against abortion.
The minister, deeming this intolerable, decided to impose a ban on the event.
Let me say it in a word: this decision is authoritarian and scandalous.
Scandal
Let us be clear: this is not a question of being in favour of abortion or not. Like the vast majority of Quebeckers, I have no desire to reopen this debate, and I have no sympathy for this conference.
But that's not what is at stake.
At stake is freedom of expression.
The function of freedom of expression is not to defend consensual ideas, but to ensure the expression of disturbing ideas.
As far as I know, it is not forbidden to be pro-life in Quebec.
Therefore, those who want to commit themselves to this cause should not suffer any political-ideological discrimination or legal or administrative prohibition.
Listen to Ideas Lead the World, a podcast series that seeks to illuminate, through the work of intellectuals, the major issues of society.Even if we morally condemn their commitment.
Could Caroline Proulx tell us what criteria she will use to authorize or prohibit future events at the Convention Centre? Or will it allow them based on arbitrary preferences?
The Legault government's response is worrying.
Events hosted at the Quebec City Convention Centre, the Palais des congrès de Montréal or the Olympic Park must, he says, "respect the fundamental principles of Quebec." Who will establish them? Who will judge whether a public event complies with these principles?
Are we aware that from now on, any government, movement, group or small group will be able to call for the prohibition of an event, on the pretext that it contradicts its vision of these "fundamental principles"?
The Legault government, ally of cancel culture. I didn't expect it. But it just happened.
Thanks to Caroline Proulx, authoritarian minister and enemy of freedom of expression.
by an association campaigning against abortion.
The minister, deeming this intolerable, decided to impose a ban on the event.
Let me say it in a word: this decision is authoritarian and scandalous.
Scandal
Let us be clear: this is not a question of being in favour of abortion or not. Like the vast majority of Quebeckers, I have no desire to reopen this debate, and I have no sympathy for this conference.
But that's not what is at stake.
At stake is freedom of expression.
The function of freedom of expression is not to defend consensual ideas, but to ensure the expression of disturbing ideas.
As far as I know, it is not forbidden to be pro-life in Quebec.
Therefore, those who want to commit themselves to this cause should not suffer any political-ideological discrimination or legal or administrative prohibition.
Listen to Ideas Lead the World, a podcast series that seeks to illuminate, through the work of intellectuals, the major issues of society.Even if we morally condemn their commitment.
Could Caroline Proulx tell us what criteria she will use to authorize or prohibit future events at the Convention Centre? Or will it allow them based on arbitrary preferences?
The Legault government's response is worrying.
Events hosted at the Quebec City Convention Centre, the Palais des congrès de Montréal or the Olympic Park must, he says, "respect the fundamental principles of Quebec." Who will establish them? Who will judge whether a public event complies with these principles?
Are we aware that from now on, any government, movement, group or small group will be able to call for the prohibition of an event, on the pretext that it contradicts its vision of these "fundamental principles"?
The Legault government, ally of cancel culture. I didn't expect it. But it just happened.
Thanks to Caroline Proulx, authoritarian minister and enemy of freedom of expression.
