$104 million lawsuit against Christian activist threatens to chill free speech in Canada

Aug 23, 2016 by Jill

by Lea Singh, MercatorNet:

Canada’s commitment to free speech is about to be tested in a major new case involving Bill Whatcott, a Saskatchewan nurse and Christian activist whose leaflets were the subject of a 2013 decision by the Supreme Court of Canada. This time, Whatcott has been slapped with a C$104 million lawsuit by two of Ontario’s most prominent gay heavyweights: iconic activist Christopher Hudspeth and former Liberal Deputy Premier George Smitherman.

They are suing Whatcott for mental distress on behalf of Toronto’s entire gay community and for libel against various Liberal leaders including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The lawsuit stems from Whatcott’s activities at this year’s Toronto’s Pride, which Whatcott and a handful of others managed to infiltrate while dressed as “gay zombies” in green suits. They handed out leaflets which graphically warned about the health dangers of gay sex and accused the Liberal party of being in cahoots with the gay agenda.

In one sense this lawsuit is a victory for Whatcott, since his tactics have clearly managed to rattle the gay establishment all the way to its very top, and now they are providing him with free publicity. But in another sense, this lawsuit is a surprise and a mystery. Whatcott’s confrontational brand of activism has gained him more appearances before human rights commissions than followers. Why would eminences like Hudspeth and Smitherman stoop to pay attention to a tiny fringe group without financial leverage, political clout or social following?

Read here