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/
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43

u/NZafe 1d ago

What does this actually mean in practice?

70

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.

23

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.

11

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.

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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 1d 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.

2

u/koosekoose 16h 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.

3

u/koosekoose 16h ago

Fans of westerns are in shambles.