It wasn’t so very long ago that Canada was debating homosexual marriage. During that time, the homosexual lobby was screeching about churches fighting them. The churches had tax exemptions, they said, and therefore shouldn’t be involved in a political issue.

The worm has turned. From today’s Star:

Canada’s interest groups have a lot to say, especially those concerned about poverty, women’s rights or the environment. And rightfully so. Their staff, volunteers and contributors care passionately about their issues. But many advocacy organizations appear to have been stifled from expressing their opinion during the current federal election campaign. That’s unfortunate. Indeed, it could be argued, this is when their views most need to be heard.

The problem is that many advocacy groups are registered charities, and federal income tax rules forbid them from getting involved in partisan politics. These rules are long-standing, but the charities were issued reminders in 2004 (when the Liberals were still in power in Ottawa). They were specifically warned that they could not endorse a candidate, post election signs and or give money to a party.

My guess? The Toronto Star editorial board does indeed think “advocacy groups” should be heard, but that they don’t include religious institutions in their view.

It was the same question at the end of every class.

“Yes, but is there really a free press in Canada?” asked a young Russian student slouched in the front row of my journalism and public policy course at St. Petersburg State University.

“Can Canadian reporters really write what they see?” a young woman asked at the end of a lecture about political reporting.

Each time I said yes, there was a tiny groan and students rolled their eyes. Some things don’t need translation. The concept of a free press seemed as far-fetched to these Russian journalism students as the tooth fairy, or Santa Claus.

When I was invited to teach at the journalism school of St. Petersburg State University as part of a program run by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, I knew that things were bad for journalists in Russia, but I did not appreciate quite how bad.

No comment on the Steyn or Levant cases. Perhaps that will be in a forthcoming article? Or perhaps they will ignore it. After all, the Toronto Star is on the same wavelength as the PC thought police, so it is unlikely they will ever have to feel the wrath of those who wish to silence our “free” press.

First they came for the conservatives…