Response to my Letter to the PM

Some time ago I wrote a letter to the Prime Minister Today I got a response from Rob Nicholson. For the sake of completeness, here is that letter.

Dear Pastor van Popta:

The Office of the Prime Minister has forwarded to me a copy of your correspondence concerning the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC).

Freedom of expression is a fundamental freedom enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which, in a free and democratic society, may be limited only when such an action is justified. The Government of Canada is committed to the protection and promotion of human rights. Canada’s record on human rights is second to none; it is a record of which all Canadians can be proud.

As you may be aware, the Canadian Human Rights Commission and the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal are independent agencies that administer the Canadian Human Rights Act (CHRA), according to procedures specified by law, without interference from the Government.

In your correspondence, you express concerns with respect to section 13 of the CHRA. The CHRC launched a comprehensive policy review on how best to deal with hate messages on the Internet, which also included an independent review of section 13 and the role of the Commission by Professor Richard Moon of the University of Windsor. On November 24, 2008, the CHRC released Professor Moon’s final report. I am in receipt of the report and will be reviewing its recommendations.

In the last Parliament, a motion was also put before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights by a Conservative Member of Parliament to examine the mandate and operations of the CHRC, including its interpretation and application of provisions relating to section 13 of the CHRA.

I appreciate having had your comments brought to my attention.

Yours truly,


The Honourable Rob Nicholson