Canadians urged to report any ‘anti-authority’ opinions they see online

Canadians who spot any “anti-government, anti-law enforcement” opinions on the Internet are asked to report them to the RCMP, says the force’s commander.

Blacklock’s Reporter alleged that Mounties had previously praised federal proposals to censor legal web content deemed offensive.

“When in doubt, report it,” Commissioner Brenda Lucki said in a statement. “Canadians go about their daily lives and routines. It’s easy to overlook the seemingly ordinary moments that make up our days.”

The RCMP issued a guide that encouraged Internet users to be vigilant for people with suspicious politics or “anti-authority” views that “include anti-government, anti-law enforcement and anarchist” opinions or “grievance-driven ideologies.

“This category can encompass new and emerging ideologically motivated threats such as environment, animal rights, etcetera. The goal of the initiative is to enhance the quality of information being shared with police and to encourage the reporting of suspicious incidents and activities,” said the guide.

“Some people hold social or political beliefs that may be considered ‘extreme’ or outside mainstream ideologies. Although some ideas alone may be concerning to those around them, it is when a person uses or actively supports violence to achieve ideological, religious or political goals that the police have a role to play.

“Law enforcement has no role in policing the thoughts of Canadians. Police will, however, take action to prevent crimes if there’s evidence an individual is planning or preparing to commit an act of violence or to actively provide support to others doing so.”

The RCMP earlier endorsed Bill C-36 An Act to Amend The Criminal Code that proposed $70,000 fines or house arrest for Internet users suspected of posting legal but offensive content “that involves detestation or vilification” of identifiable groups. The bill was introduced last June 23 but lapsed in the previous Parliament.

“Law enforcement has to have the ability to use the law effectively,” Cpl. Anthony Statham of RCMP’s British Columbia Hate Crimes Team told a July 19 webinar sponsored by the federally-subsidized Canadian Anti-Hate Network.

“In Canada, we don’t have anything regulating speech. Under section two of our Charter of Rights, our freedom of expression is protected. So, there is no such thing as free speech in Canada, only freedom of expression.”