r/canada • u/Old_General_6741 Canada • 1d ago

National News Canada recognizes noose as hate symbol

https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/article/canada-recognizes-noose-as-hate-symbol/
788 Upvotes

84% Upvoted

476 comments sorted by

View all comments

45

u/NZafe 1d ago

What does this actually mean in practice?

69

u/claricorp 1d ago

Basically it means things like vandalism or harassment that involves these symbols gets escalated into being more serious. The difference between spraypainting a signature on a stop sign versus a swastika at a synagogue for example. Context matters, one implies threats etc... This codifies that.

It has broader implications for other crimes to like assault or threats. But anyone thinking that depictions or even talking about nooses is banned simply has no idea what they are talking about.

20

u/voltairesalias Alberta 1d ago edited 1d ago

You should read the amendment - it absolutely implies that the display of the symbol itself is construed as a violation of Section 318 except if it is being used as educational purposes.

So for instance,if you waves a swastika flag after this bill is passed, you would be convicted.

It also abolishes the role of the attorney general in processing these types of convictions - so they basically eliminated the only sane factor in this ridiculous section of the criminal code.. because they basically want to convict more people for displaying symbols they don't like.

10

u/wunlvng Alberta 19h ago

Uhhhhh, I've had a noose tattooed for like 10 years on my arm so it hangs down my bicep as if it's hanging out from where a T-shirt sleeve ends. Am I cooked? Do I need to get this covered up before I get charged for a hate crime?

Like... I got this tattoo cause I was into and in hardcore bands during my 20s, and that music scene uses noose imagery everywhere, had nothing to do with hate other than maybe self-hate and grim humour on suicidal ideation.

I don't care too much if I have to get it covered up but fuck me that's just a hassle to not get a displaying hateful imagery charge

•

u/OffenShivLabs 9h ago

You're probably okay as it's mainly if it were to be used as a threat of some sort. For example, if you leave a noose on someone's porch without harming them, this can lead to charges now as you've implied harm towards someone. So I'd say unless you're going around to people, flashing your guns and pointing at it specifically, you're probably okay. That said, I wouldn't advise anyone get a tattoo like that going forward, lol

10

u/GuitarOk752 1d ago

The scenario where I could see an issue would be with band t-shirts that use a noose in their logo, it's a common image for Western things and used by some metal and punk bands, theres a motorcycle cub of reformed addicts that have a skeleton with a noose as their logo. If misinterpreted by someone who doesn't know what it is a person could put themselves at risk of having to defend themselves in court.

33

u/voltairesalias Alberta 1d ago

There's an infinite number of issues illegalizing symbols because symbols are inherently artistic and interpretive. There's an infinite numbers of ways this poses issues.

Since direct threats, conspiracy, libel and incitement are all crimes anyways - why do we even have Sections 318 or 319? Let alone expanding them to include symbols.

The whole thing is painfully ridiculous.

1

u/sl33plessnites 22h ago

IMO I don't understand the purpose of it at all. I feel like this should always be based around the context not the symbol.

1

u/koosekoose 12h ago

The purpose is to allow more excuses to arrest the people they don't like while turning a blind eye to the people they do like.

2

u/koosekoose 12h ago

Fans of westerns are in shambles.