Ep. 074: Self-Censorship Violates Freedom of Speech

Guest: Ujjal Dosanjh, former British Columbia Premier

People in power in Canada are self censoring.

That is what Ujjal Dosanjh believes. The former premier of British Columbia and free speech advocate believes that, in doing so, they are preventing open and honest discourse about issues that form the fabric of Canadian society.

In a January opinion piece, Dosanjh appeared to be coming to the defense of white men. However, he claims, “I was not defending white men; it was more about saying to everyone, how can you have a free exchange of ideas on important issues of race, ethnicity, discrimination, prejudice, racism? How can you have a free exchange of ideas, an honest exchange, if some men who have power, generally, aren't expressing themselves freely? I want to know what they think.”

Dosanjh has been attacked and beaten for saying what he thinks. He continues to do so because he maintains if we cower from vigorous debate, then we deprive ourselves. “If you give into those with pipes or iron bars, then you won't get very far. And it's the same if you give in to people who want to shut you out because you differ with them, or you challenge their ideas, or their world view.”