Ann Coulter is a columnist, author, and a political commentator who has extreme right wing beliefs. She is well known for standing up for her beliefs in very controversial ways, often by using acts of racism. Ann is often on television or radio programs, and gives speeches to groups of people. Her commentary has given her a bad reputation as being an offensive critic of liberalism. Ann has often been heard making remarks about other races, especially Muslims. Recently, she told a Muslim woman who attended one of her speeches to "take a camel" as an alternative to flying. This quote outraged many people of all races which then led to an immense crowd of protesters at her next speech, causing it to get cancelled.
Freedom of speech is the freedom to voice one's opinions without fear of censorship or punishment.. The right to freedom of speech is considered as a human right under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In Canada, everyone has the freedom of thought, belief, opinion, and expression.Despite the protections from the Charter, Canada has had a few journalists and writers fined or put in jail for their political opinions as expressed through their writing. Courts continue to struggle with the conflict between groups not putting up with anything bad said about them and groups voicing their opinion about their beliefs. That being said, there is a limit as to what one can say. Under the Criminal Code of Canada, it is illegal to promote genocide, as well as publicly display hatred against certain people based on their colour, race, religion, ethnic origin, and sexual orientation, except if the statements are true or made in good faith.
Before Ann's speech at the University of Western Ontario, she received an email from the University stating that she be careful about what she says during her speech because of the Charter. Ann however ignored this warning and spoke in an extremely disrespectful manner, offending many groups of people, especially Muslims. Ann Coulter was warned before the speech about racism and how Canada doesn't tolerate it. There is a huge difference between voicing one's opinions in a civilized way and voicing one's opinions as to offend people. Ann went over the top with her conservative ways and should be severely punished for it. If Ms. Coulter does get charged, it might prevent her from making the same mistakes in the future, and she will think about what she says.