Critics angered by new law making it illegal to wear a mask at unlawful protests

Goober

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Now is there something wrong here on what the Consercatives are proposing compare to the sentences fror violence against children??

Please check the other links. They refer to sentences for crimes against Children. Not all but some

As to wearing a mask during a demonstration- is that protected under free speech? I would say yes.
Is the 10 year max excessive- I believe this is covered already under the Criminal Code.

New law makes it illegal to wear a mask at unlawful protests | Canada | News | National Post

OTTAWA – A new change to the Criminal Code that makes it illegal to wear a mask at a protest or riot is likely to be challenged in the courts as limiting freedom of expression, experts say.

The clause makes it a crime for a person to attend an unlawful protest “while wearing a mask or other disguise to conceal their identity without lawful excuse.” Supporters say it is one more tool to help the police maintain order, while civil liberties advocates say it tramples constitutional freedoms.

“It’s outrageous, there’s all kinds of legitimate reasons to mask your face in terms of a protest,” said Micheal Vonn, policy director with the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association.

The bill, which just passed the Senate and awaits royal assent, is similar to a bylaw in Montreal that restricts mask-wearing during protests. A challenge to the constitutionality of that bylaw is before Quebec’s Superior Court.

While the Montreal bylaw affected only protests in that city, Bill C-309 alters the Criminal Code, which applies to all Canadians, and would allow police to pre-emptively arrest protesters if they wore facial coverings.

A conviction could lead to up to 10 years in prison, under the terms of the bill.

However, critics say C-309 is likely going to end up in court.

Sen. Serge Joyal, a former lawyer who argued against the bill in the Senate, said the law restricts the constitutional right to freedom of expression.

“The courts in the past have recognized that wearing a mask is a form of expression that is protected,” he said. “Of course, if you wear a mask to commit a criminal offence, it’s already well prohibited.”

Now when it comes to protecting children. Nope - nada- next to nothing.

Why are Canada’s courts soft on sexual crimes against children? | C2C

163.1. Definition of “child pornography� | Criminal Code of Canada

172.1. Luring a child | Criminal Code of Canada
 
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Cliffy

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Does this mean that cops can't wear riot masks when attacking protesters? The law is soft of child molesters and hard on protesters for a reason - the state comes before its citizens. That is what happens in a police state. Welcome to reality.
 

petros

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Face recognition software doesn't work if someone is wearing a mask. How can you be profiled and identified if you're wearing a mask?
 

captain morgan

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The masks serve a practical health purpose that no one seems to be addressing here.... The smoke from burning car tires and dust from the rubble stirred-up by the looting cause serious pulmonary respiratory risks.

A mask only makes sense
 

Cliffy

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The masks serve a practical health purpose that no one seems to be addressing here.... The smoke from burning car tires and dust from the rubble stirred-up by the looting cause serious pulmonary respiratory risks.

A mask only makes sense
You may be onto something there. All the burning and looting was caused by mask wearing agent provocateurs, most of whom were police. I'm sure it is written in their union rules somewhere.
 

Goober

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You may be onto something there. All the burning and looting was caused by mask wearing agent provocateurs, most of whom were police. I'm sure it is written in their union rules somewhere.
Not in Vancouver.
 

captain morgan

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hopefully, it will also mean that agent-provacateurs can be more readily identified

You may be onto something there. All the burning and looting was caused by mask wearing agent provocateurs, most of whom were police. I'm sure it is written in their union rules somewhere.


 

L Gilbert

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We should all be able to engage in unlawful activities and be able to hide our identities while doing so. Brilliant.
I bet criminals everywhere who read what these critics are saying are all for being able to hide their faces when committing crimes.
 

taxslave

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We should all be able to engage in unlawful activities and be able to hide our identities while doing so. Brilliant.
I bet criminals everywhere who read what these critics are saying are all for being able to hide their faces when committing crimes.

Well of course. In Canada criminals have rights while law abiding taxpayers have...... found it. The right to be victims.
 

Zipperfish

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And I wonder how many of these critics against the law banning wearing masks during unlawful protests and riots are also against female witnesses wearing burkas in courts.

Exactly--if the Muslims ever go out and protest, are they going to arrest all the burqa babes?
 

WLDB

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Doesnt really bother me. It seems reasonable. If you're going out to protest something you shouldnt be afraid of revealing who you are. I do think the sentence is overkill though unless they commit some other violent cime while wearing a mask at a protest.
 

Goober

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And I wonder how many of these critics against the law banning wearing masks during unlawful protests and riots are also against female witnesses wearing burkas in courts.

Good point. But demonstrations over the years, many peaceful had participants wearing masks, face paint etc.
But Courts are a much different venue than the streets.
 

L Gilbert

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Good point. But demonstrations over the years, many peaceful had participants wearing masks, face paint etc.
But Courts are a much different venue than the streets.
I have no problem with people wearing masks during legal protests. I can't see the courts being concerned with that either. Unlawful protests are a different ballgame. Illegal activities are illegal activities. I can't see how anyone not wanting to engage in illegal activities but want to protest whatever would want to wear a mask without a valid and legal reason.

Why do today's protesters wear masks when at one time they were glad to be upfront and show their faces?

What has changed?
Anonymity. People want to have a say without being held accountable for it. Or perhaps they don't want to be persecuted by peers for bucking the current fad of thought.
 

petros

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It's ALL about profiling and identifying protesters. Nothing more, nothing less.

We all know that profiling is legit and the best way to prevent crime.