Finland’s Supreme Court on Thursday opened hearings against parliamentarian Dr. Päivi Räsänen and Bishop Juhana Pohjola in the infamous ‘Bible Tweet’ case, which many consider a defining moment for free speech and religious liberty in Europe. Both stand accused of ‘hate speech’ over public statements and writings expressing their Christian views on marriage and sexuality.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following the murder of Charlie Kirk, the Heritage Foundation’s Liana Graham, a research assistant for domestic policy, was inspired by headlines she saw in the Canadian press about Kirk’s assassination to write an op-ed arguing that Canadian censorship and silencing of dissent lead to a dehumanizing culture that invites political violence.
In turn, the National Post reached out to Graham, a dual citizen of both Canada and the United States, to discuss what she sees as the political and media forces impacting censorship and free expression in Canada.
This interview has been condensed for length and clarity.
For those who may not be aware, the Combatting Hate Act — proposed chiefly by Justice Minister Sean Fraser — is a piece of legislation intended to protect communities and places of worship from hate crimes. At its core, the bill seeks to criminalize the display of hate symbols. Examples include the swastika, the double-sig rune, and other insignia associated with terrorist organizations, as outlined in the Criminal Code.
Canadian Conservative Party MP Leslyn Lewis blasted a new Liberal “hate crime” bill, calling it a “dangerous” piece of legislation that she says will open the door for authorities to possibly prosecute Canadians’ speech deemed “hateful.”
In an X post on Tuesday, Lewis slammed the Liberal government’s Bill C-9, or the Combating Hate Act, in a scathing post.
Lewis observed that the bill, as written, “expands state power to prosecute speech under unclear rules and with fewer checks on government abuse.”
The assassination of American conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University is a brutal reminder that politics across North America is running hot. We grieve the loss of life. We also ought to ask what this political climate is doing to regular Canadians — because many are now scared to say what they think, especially when they believe they’re in the minority.
(Incognito)
Sean Feucht, an American Christian conservative Trump-supporting rocker, had Canadian concerts banned from Nova Scotia to British Columbia. And Montreal is actually fining a church $2500 for having the “audacity” to host one of his events. Those who find Feucht “offensive” are always free not to attend his performances. But show some basic decency to others who might wish to hear him. Live and let live. Leave others alone and respect their right to do as they please, just as they must respect your personal freedoms.
The co-creator of Father Ted, Graham Linehan, was arrested at Heathrow Airport on Monday on suspicion of ‘inciting violence’. His crime? Criticising trans ideology on social media.
No sooner had Linehan disembarked his flight from Arizona than he was apprehended by armed police. In a post on Substack, he explained that his arrest was for three posts on X. One of the tweets read: ‘If a trans-identified male is in a female-only space, he is committing a violent, abusive act. Make a scene, call the cops and if all else fails, punch him in the balls.’
This is how Graham Linehan shows up for trial in the UK just days after being arrested in the London airport for posting "offensive tweets"
This is how you deal with the trans mob. Double down. We're cheering you on, @Glinner pic.twitter.com/vWVItcwUGK
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) September 4, 2025
h/t Mauser
The U.S. State Department has once again sent the United Kingdom a clear warning: the ongoing persecution and prosecution of praying pro-lifers will not be tolerated. Their annual “United Kingdom 2024 Human Rights Report” opens with an ominous conclusion: “The human rights situation worsened in the United Kingdom during the year.”
The report noted “specific areas of concern, including … ‘Safe Access Zones’ (limiting speech rights around abortion clinics). These restrictions on freedom of speech could include prohibitions on efforts to influence others when inside a restricted area, even through prayer or silent protests.” The stark rise in antisemitism is also cited.
Instead of fixing a surging migrant crisis and stagnant economy, the UK and EU are even trying to censor American critics of their policies
Earlier this month, we led a delegation to Brussels and London to see how aggressive European speech regulations affect American free speech rights in the digital town square. What we saw shocked us.
Last Congress, the House Judiciary Committee examined how the Biden administration pressured social media companies to limit free speech in America. We successfully fought back against that overreach. But today, the most serious risk to free speech comes from across the Atlantic.
The Trump administration is backing a controversial Christian preacher at the centre of a “two-tier” policing row over his right to criticise Islam, The Telegraph can reveal.
Dia Moodley, a father of four, met US officials dispatched to interview British “victims of censorship” amid growing concern in Washington that free speech in the UK is under threat.
In the past four years, the evangelical pastor, from Bristol, has been the subject of repeated enforcement action by Avon and Somerset Police over his street preaching, which includes comparisons between Christianity and Islam, as well as sermons on abortion and homosexuality.
NEW: Christian pastor threatened with arrest after being assaulted by Muslim men who objected to his peaceful street preaching in Bristol.
With our legal support, Pastor Dia Moodley is taking action against the police.
Support him:https://t.co/FCj64Wj8su pic.twitter.com/NZrc2oTJQF
— ADF International (@ADFIntl) August 2, 2025
With all the problems facing municipalities, from parks that look like refugee camps to potholes that can swallow a Mini Cooper, you’d think city councillors would have better things to do than dream up new ways to limit free expression.
Yet in the past few years, city councils throughout the country have created new restrictions on speech in council meetings, in streets, in parks, even in backyards. Many of these restrictions violate the Charter. The Canadian Constitution Foundation (CCF) is fighting back through litigation, with our new report on “Canada’s Most Censorious Bylaws” and with our new Municipal Muzzle Award for the city with the worst restriction.
An American teen suspended for using the term ‘illegal alien’ in class has finally received justice after his school was forced to apologize and pay out a massive $20,000 settlement.
The year-long free speech saga came to an end after a North Carolina district school board agreed to wipe the suspension off the record of Christian McGhee, who was a 16-year-old when his case was first thrust into the national spotlight by President Donald Trump.
The White House has said it is “monitoring” the case of Lucy Connolly in an escalation of free speech tensions with Sir Keir Starmer.
State department officials are examining the treatment of Connolly, the wife of a Conservative councillor, who was jailed for 31 months over a social media post about the Southport attacks.
Judges threw out an appeal brought by the 42-year-old last week, meaning she will not be released before August.
Prime Minister Mark Carney should repeal the Justin Trudeau government’s dangerous censorship law before it comes into full force.
Sadly, with Steven Guilbeault appointed as the man responsible for overseeing the Canadian identity ministry, Carney appears prepared to double down on the censorship drive of the Trudeau years instead.
Why the pessimism?
One racist tweet wouldn’t ordinarily generate so much discussion. On Elon Musk’s X, they’re now 10 a penny. But Northampton childminder Lucy Connolly and the 51 words she posted in the wake of the Southport killings last summer – in which she said ‘set fire to all the fucking hotels full of the bastards [meaning migrants] for all I care’ – have become a key test in our commitment to freedom of speech, which far too many are failing.
