Politically correct movement forces politicians and ordinary citizens to stop calling ‘a spade a spade’

Published Sep 29, 2025 • Last updated 3 minutes ago • 2 minute read

A woman prays during the public memorial service for right-wing activist Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on Sept. 21. Kirk’s death is an ‘American tragedy,’ writes Gene Monin, but asks it it justified the Parliament of Canada giving him a standing ovation. MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

Free speech is under attack by President Donald Trump, and it is creeping into Canada.

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Not just in politically correct jargon, but also in social media.

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Around the U.S., social media posts about Charlie Kirk’s death deemed “offensive or insensitive” by some employers led to workers being fired or placed on leave for their online activity.

Late night comedy shows by Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel were axed by producers after displeasing Trump. Goodness, wake up people, where is our sense of proportion? These are comedy shows. Politicians have always been the subject of jokes. If you are going to have opinions, you can expect blowback as long as they are not threats.

The Good News is that the massive outcry against Kimmel’s ouster made ABC allow Kimmel’ show back after eight days, but not all ABC affiliates followed.

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Then Canada widened the scope of hate speech, hate propaganda legislation to include signs bearing certain hate or terrorism related symbols.

Yet another infringement on the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which affirms freedom of thought, belief, opinion, and expression, including freedom of the press. It allows “reasonable limits” on fundamental freedoms.

Is this stifling Canadian free speech and dissension like the U.S.?

Legal limits on free speech in Canada include laws and policies concerning hate speech, harassment, and discrimination.

A city councillor received personal threats after a social media post about the U.S. political activist Charlie Kirk, criticizing Kirk and those speaking in his favour after his death.

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It sparked a backlash, with comments calling for the councillor to resign.

The councillor said, “I did not give up my right to free speech. I can still have an opinion as an elected official, as long as that does not include hate speech or taking people’s human rights away.

I am concerned that healthy debate on issues will be stifled and threatens our right to express minority opinions.”

A University of Toronto professor was forced on leave over comparing the multiple reactions to Kirk’s death to the silence of the Gaza slaughter.

Kirk’s death is an American tragedy, but did it justify the Parliament of Canada giving him a standing ovation? (Charlie Angus).

Journalist Rachel Gilmore has received multiple death threats to her posts after Kirk’s killing,

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The politically correct movement forces politicians and ordinary citizens to stop calling a spade a spade. The speaker’s intent is deliberately lost when politically correct words are used to “avoid tender ears.”

(Never mind that those same tender ears and eyes are glued constantly to entertainment and media showing endless Triple X words and images.)

Dictators use free speech restrictions to conceal the loss of freedom of thought, belief, opinion, and expression.

George Orwell’s nightmare novel Nineteen Eighty-Four will become a reality when open debate is restricted. So, we must all speak out at attacks on free speech.

Social media is the universal sharing of ideas and opinions. We will lose that right if we allow tkhem to control it.

“I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” (Evelyn Beatrice Hall)

Reach Gene Monin at adios43@yahoo.com

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