Your Ward News reignites debate over free speech

A controversial Toronto publication has reignited the debate over free speech versus hate speech.

The winter edition of Your Ward News began appearing in mailboxes in the city’s north end over the weekend.

The issue contains pictures of swastikas and other war images and has sparked outrage from the neighbourhood’s large Jewish population.

Coun. Josh Colle, who represents Ward 15 Eglinton-Lawrence, where the papers were delivered, said he’s “incredibly offended” by the publication.

“I think a lot of my constituents would think it’s [a] hate crime,” he said. “It’s so objectionable and crude that obviously I don’t want any of my residents seeing it. It’s unfortunate that it’s landing on their doorsteps.”

Toronto police said they were being “inundated” with calls from residents unhappy with the publication.

An investigation has been launched to determine whether the material in the newspaper qualifies as a hate crime.

“The law is clear. It has to balance, as all things do, freedom of speech with speech that is considered beyond the bounds of free speech,” Toronto police spokesperson Mark Pugash explained.

“Our investigators have done this for a while. They know what is required, they’re good at what they do. If there is sufficient evidence they then go to the next step.”

A previous police investigation into the content of Your Ward News found no laws were violated.

The publication used to boast it had a readership of more than one million and was delivered to 305,000 homes, businesses and apartments by Canada Post. Last year the federal government ordered Canada Post to stop delivering the tabloid.

According to an editorial in the most recent issue of the publication, it is now being delivered by “private distribution companies and our volunteer army.”

The paper promotes the New Constitution Party, an unregistered neo-Nazi party led by editor-in-chief James Sears.

Sears describes himself as a physician and former Canadian Armed Forces medical officer.

In an email to CityNews, he said he welcomes a new investigation.

“I do not believe that Canada should have any ‘hate speech’ laws,” Spears wrote. “I like the American approach to ‘free speech’: As long as you do not threaten a specific individual with harm, either directly or by encouraging others to harm them, then you can say whatever you want.”

Sears said he’s already working on the spring edition of Your Ward News and will not stop unless a judge issues a publication ban.

Meanwhile, Coun. Colle hopes his constituents dismiss the paper when it arrives at their door and find an alternate use for it.

“(My hope is) they just use it to line their bird cages.”