In a few weeks, the Supreme Court of Canada will hear the appeal of stand-up comedian Mike Ward, who was ordered to pay CA$35,000 to Jeremy Gabriel for jokes that were deemed discriminatory against him. This case involves the freedom of expression of artists, which must be reconciled with the right to dignity and non-discrimination.

Stéphane Beaulac, counsel at Dentons and professor at the Faculty of Law of the Université de Montréal, is representing the Canadian branch of the International Commission of Jurists, along with other interveners, to provide the Court with additional insight into the case. The arguments at the heart of his intervention propose a balancing of freedom of expression, in light of its underlying values, when vexatious and discriminatory comments target a particular individual and infringe upon his/her right to dignity, also protected by the Charters.

The intervention brief will be filed this afternoon and oral arguments will be held on Monday, February 15, 2021.

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