WARMINGTON: Hamilton mayor's claims of hate stomp on right to free speech

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Canada has become a place where a mayor can arbitrarily decide freedom of speech is not only “hate” but “transphobic.”

In this case, Hamilton’s mayor has “directed” that a billboard with a message discussing gender and children be immediately removed.

“This afternoon, my office was made aware of a transphobic ad on a billboard along the Linc (Lincoln Alexander Pkwy.),” wrote Mayor Andrea Horwath. “While the billboard is not city-owned, it sits on city-leased space, and city advertising rules were not followed. We’ve directed Astral Media to remove it and put stronger safeguards in place.”

And just like that — on the mayor’s orders — the billboard was down.

So what did it say? What was so offensive that it needed government censorship?

“Let kids be kids,” with a subtitle that added, “stop all medical transitions for minors.”

It was an ad purchased for $18,000 for four weeks by ARPA (Association for Reformed Political Action) which has a mandate to “educate, equip and encourage reformed Christians to political action and bring biblical perspective to our civil authorities.”

The billboard was live for four days before Horwath heard about it.

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She called it “unacceptable content” and said “hate-related incidents are on the rise in Hamilton,” and in “2024, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community were among the most frequently targeted. But we are also a community that will not stand by when confronted by hate — I certainly will not.”

But ARPA is of the view there is nothing hateful about their billboard or the Let Kids Be Kids online campaign.

“This is about safeguarding vulnerable youth,” said ARPA Canada legal counsel John Sikkema. “The fact that the mayor used her platform to mischaracterize our message, rather than engage with the facts, is troubling.”

Adding the “ad’s simple message — opposing medical transitions for minors — reflects growing concern from medical experts and parents about the serious, lifelong consequences of these procedures,” Sikkema said. “We invite her — and all Canadians — to consider the evidence, listen to those harmed by these interventions, and put the well-being of children first.”

Horwath has yet to respond to the Toronto Sun’s request for comment but in a statement said “love will always be louder,” followed by her signature.

As for her assertion that Hamilton’s “advertising rules were not followed,” Astral Media has so far not commented on their view of it or if a mayor can decide on what is deemed appropriate or inappropriate to display?

It’s also unclear if ARPA will see their money — raised from donations– returned for the weeks the ad  was not allowed to be displayed.

But either way, the campaign is now making mainstream media which it may not have without Horwath’s intervention.

“The Let Kids Be campaign is rooted in compassion for children struggling with gender distress and calls for counselling and support — not hormones or surgeries — as the safest and most responsible approach,” said ARPA.

Horwath said it is bigotry that does not deserve public viewing.

Whatever you think, one thing is clear: What is at risk is free speech which is a Charter right in Canada.

People are entitled to their views on this or any issue. But censoring one of the perspectives is a violation of the country’s right to free speech and an overstep by a politician.

It reminds one of tearing down statues or banning people from speaking in front of council chambers.

You don’t have freedom, if you don’t allow it. A healthy debate is healthy. Shutting down debate is shutting down basic free speech.

The next move should putting the billboard back up and letting people talk, or even argue, about it.

And let free speech live.

jwarmington@postmedia.com