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Written by Myung Joon Kang and Kishin Pacheco

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• Table of Contents

📢 About Freedom of Expression

What is Freedom of Expression?

It is the freedom to think, believe, have opinions and expression. Even if your thoughts are controversial.

Why is Freedom of Expression important?

Freedom of Expression is crucial for several reasons:

1. It promotes democracy by allowing citizens to voice their opinions and participate in public discourse.
2. It protects creativity and innovation by encouraging the free and prominent exchange of ideas.
3. It can protect other rights by keeping the government’s power in check by enabling criticism.

What are the limitations of Freedom of Expression?

According to Section 1 of the Charter, the Freedom of Expression can be limited by law as long as those limits can be "demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society." These are the main limitations.

• Hate Speech: As defined in the Criminal Code of Canada, Section 319(2). [Source: Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46]
• Defamation: As defined in the Libel and Slander Act. [Source: **Libel and Slander Act]**
• Obscenity: Defined in Section 163 of the Criminal Code. [Source: Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46]
• False or Misleading Advertising: Regulated by the Competition Act. [Source: Competition Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-34]

🧭 Where May The Freedom of Expression Apply to Our Lives?