TORONTO, – The League for Human Rights of B'nai Brith Canada welcomes the sentencing decision by the Federal Court in contempt proceedings brought against Terry Tremaine. The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal had found that Mr. Tremaine posted hateful messages against Jews, Blacks and others on the Internet in violation of section 13 (1) of the Canadian Human Rights Act. Tremaine continued to post such messages despite the Tribunal's order to cease and desist. A finding of contempt was subsequently confirmed by the Federal Court of Appeal. Mr. Tremaine was ordered to remove the offending material from the Internet and to cease such discriminatory practice. Mr. Tremaine was also ordered to serve 30 days in jail as well as a further period of up to six months until he complies.
Frank Dimant, CEO of B’nai Brith Canada, issued the following statement:
"We welcome this decision that finally holds a contemptuous Mr. Tremaine to account for his hateful defamation of vulnerable minorities. This is not just about Mr. Tremaine's hate speech but also about respect for our courts and our laws. Justice Harrington of the Federal Court certainly got it right when he stated that while Tremaine may be "free to flout the order . . . he must remember that freedom has its price." We are grateful that the Court has affirmed the principle that no one is above the law."
