Bloggers behind bars: how an unconstitutional law is still putting people in jail

Courts in at least five provinces have found that s. 301 of the Criminal Code, which criminalizes defamatory speech, is unconstitutional. It is a provision that can be used to jail people who speak publicly and negatively about others – even if what they say is true. It is clearly an unjustifiable violation of freedom of expression. So why are people still being arrested, charged and imprisoned under this offence? Join us for a review of some recent cases where this section of the criminal code has been used, and a broader discussion of criminal libel and what role it plays in contemporary Canadian society. And then join us in the fight to have this crime taken off the books for good!

Speakers will include Jamie Cameron, Professor at Osgoode Hall Law School and Abby Deshman, Program Director at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association.