Viewpoints
Opinion

John Carpay: Invoking ‘Safety and Security’ to Censor Freedom of Expression Is Unacceptable in a Free Society

John Carpay: Invoking ‘Safety and Security’ to Censor Freedom of Expression Is Unacceptable in a Free Society
Christian musician Sean Feucht of California preaches to the crowd during a rally at the National Mall in Washington on Oct. 25, 2020. Jose Luis Magana/AP Photo
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Commentary

In a free country, the public square should be accessible for everyone, not just for those who adhere to the “correct” or majority opinions. A private entity like a church or a business need not make space available for all comers, and can legitimately pick and choose. In contrast, a city cannot discriminate against the “wrong” opinions when regulating the use of public parks, conference centres, or the square in front of city hall.

John Carpay
John Carpay
Author
Lawyer John Carpay is president of the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (jccf.ca).