The Lynch List, 07-Jan-2011

Here’s what the HRCs, despite their toxic workplaces, are up to today:

First: The Supreme Court of Canada has agreed to entertain Bill Whatcott’s constitutional challenge of the Saskatchewan Human Rights Act on the basis that it infringes upon freedom of religion. This is a major part of Whatcott’s case, and if it succeeds, could herald a domino effect of revisions to all other human rights codes.

Second: Terry Tremaine’s acquittal of contempt is moving to the Federal Court of Appeal. Here’s how the CHRC views their prosecution of Mr. Tremaine:

“The commission did not engage in the proceeding originally for the purpose of putting Mr. Tremaine in jail. The commission’s purpose and goal and has always been to ensure the (human rights) tribunal orders are obeyed,” commission lawyer Daniel Poulin said in an interview.

…and the Spanish Inquisition did not engage its proceedings originally for the purpose of torturing and murdering people. The Inquisition’s purpose and goal has always been to ensure the King’s orders are obeyed…

Third: Great. Now they’re calling for the addition of “physical appearance” to the list of protected groups. Say goodbye to Elvis Look-a-like contests and welcome the Elephant Man to Joe’s strip joint…

Most people are aware that human rights charters across all jurisdictions protect people from discrimination based on their age, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, civil status, handicap and language. However, many are unsure whether this protection extends to physical appearance.

Fourth: Ah yes, discrimination on the basis of skin color is prohibited. Unless it’s a federal program.

…the grants are not awarded entirely on merit. Federal bureaucrats will give extra points to employers hiring students from official language minority groups, aboriginals, visible minorities and the disabled.

Fifth: BC’s leadership candidates are challenged to commit to adding “gender expression” and “gender identity” in the BC Human Rights Code. George Abbott, at least, isn’t biting.

Sixth: Inside the Hotdog Factory, of the “five guys” fame, has another great legal parody posted…