In Committee - Tuesday

►SENATE

Human Rights: A private member's bill to remove Section 13 from the Canadian Human Rights Act is considered.

The section deals with Internet hate speech and has become a lightning rod for debate over the limits of freedom of expression and the authority of human rights commissions and tribunals.

Section 13 prohibits the communication of "any matter that is likely to expose a person or persons to hatred or contempt by reason of the fact that that person or those persons are identifiable on the basis of a prohibited ground of discrimination."

Alberta MP Brian Storseth introduced the bill in 2011, and appears before senators via videoconference.

Also appearing:

• University of Windsor law professor Richard Moon, who wrote a 2008 report for the Canadian Human Rights Commission calling for Section 13's repeal;
• the Canadian Bar Association, which wants to retain Section 13 but eliminate penalties found elsewhere in the Act -- including financial compensation for victims.

MPs on the Commons justice committee recommended small changes in an April 2012 report.

-Andrew Thomson