Just like Americans, British Columbians have the right to free speech. Barring the oft-repeated “Don’t yell fire in a crowded auditorium” and other actively destructive examples, we may say whatever we like. Well, unless it offends someone. But not if it offends a transit official or “the man.” Put simply, the Canadian right to free speech is often superseded by the Canadian “Right to Not Be Offended,” but perhaps it can be even more accurately described as, “Free Speech for Underdogs Only.”
I mean, just a couple of weeks ago, many journalists were outraged that BC Translink officials would dare ask poor Jean Wharf, whose only crime was theft, to take off a button on public transit that had the “F” word on it. Well, you know — and pay her fare.
But here’s where it gets complicated. Because while many news outlets were outraged that …
