Politics Insider: The limits of free speech in the Commons
Canada's Supreme Court ruled that a prime minister with a majority government can limit the free speech of MPs and senators in certain circumstances. The decision was made in a case challenging a law that restricted committee members from revealing secrets in Parliament.
Canada's Supreme Court has ruled that a prime minister with a majority government can curtail the free speech of MPs and senators in narrow circumstances. The 8-1 decision was made in a case launched by Lakehead University law professor Ryan Alford, who challenged a 2017 law that created a special committee of Parliamentarians with top-secret clearance. The law restricted committee members from revealing secrets in Parliament without the prime minister's authorization, potentially leading to arrest and jailing. The court decided that the Constitution allows Parliament to define its privileges, including imposing limits on free speech. The ruling was written by Justice Malcolm Rowe on behalf of the majority. The federal government has also announced plans to quadruple the maximum fine for airlines that repeatedly violate passengers' rights to $1-million.
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