Statement re: Gerald Hannon and Ryerson Polytechnic University
At its meeting on Wednesday, November 22, the Rights and Freedoms Committee of the Writers' Union of Canada voted unanimously to support Gerald Hannon's right to freedom of expression in what he has written in the past and what he will write in the future.
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms gives all Canadians the right to free expression, not just those who espouse popular points of view. The desire of some in our society to censor writers or journalists who express unpopular or controversial points of view leads to the silencing of communi ties and minorities, and, in the end, to the stifling of informed and open discussion and debate on those issues.
The Writers' Union of Canada supports Mr. Hannon's right to freedom of expression.