On Monday, police reported that they are still looking into complaints about a Nazi symbol that was cut into the lawn of a home near St. Thomas, Ont.
At the same time, a law professor from Western University mentioned that proposed changes to parts of the Criminal Code by the federal government might assist police in handling similar situations in the future.
If approved, the federal Combatting Hate Act would focus on symbols used during the Holocaust, like SS lightning bolts and swastikas, as well as those linked to entities deemed terrorist by the government, which includes groups like Proud Boys, Hamas, and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The design resembling a swastika-the main emblem of the Nazi party-was made in the lawn about ten days ago. Neighbors said they witnessed the homeowner creating this design on their grass.
By Monday, however, the lawn had been mowed again, effectively getting rid of the symbol. Additionally, over the weekend, the homeowner’s Facebook page-which contained other Nazi symbols and slogans-was taken down.
This incident occurred as Canada’s federal government works on updating parts of its Criminal Code regarding hate speech.
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‘Disturbing and alarming’
Sunil Gurmukh, an assistant professor at Western’s law faculty, noted that while trying to address an increase in hate speech reports, the government also aims to ensure these changes don’t hinder free expression. Gurmukh mentioned that incidents targeting Jewish communities have been rising. “It’s disturbing and alarming. The swastika is the visual identity of the Nazi movement,” Gurmukh stated during an interview on London Morning with host Andrew Brown Monday. “It’s a symbol of hate and white supremacy. We’re seeing these incidents all across Canada.” According to Sect. 319 of Canada’s Criminal Code, promoting hatred against identifiable groups through public statements is illegal. However, Gurmukh pointed out that while showing such hateful symbols can be straightforward to prove, establishing whether there’s intent behind it can be trickier. “Hate symbols have met the bar before-usually when combined with other conduct,” he explained. “The question here will be: Did this person willfully promote hatred? Were they attempting to persuade or incite others?” The new legislation mentions specific symbols that would come under updated laws against hate speech if passed by Parliament; notably including swastikas and SS lightning bolts. It would also work towards preventing willful intimidation or obstruction outside places of worship and other sensitive areas. The proposed updates would eliminate needing consent from provincial attorneys general for prosecuting hate crimes. “On one hand that’s a check-and-balance helping protect freedom of expression,” Gurmukh remarked regarding attorney general oversight. “On another hand it could act as a barrier needing removal so police can respond more quickly to growing instances of hate.”> Richard Robertson from B’nai Brith Canada supports these proposed legislative updates. He emphasized that mentioning specific symbols represents an important enhancement over current laws.> “It would allow police to investigate what lies behind someone cutting a hakenkreuz [swastika] into their lawn,” said Robertson. “This legislation clarifies that displaying Nazi symbols.. with intent to promote hatred means you’re breaking our laws.”>Source link
