[briga]

Certainly we are not perfect, but I think overall Canada has done more for the world to uphold human rights and freedoms than otherwise. When the government does act against "individual freedom", it is usually for the good of larger society. For instance because of firearm restrictions Canadian citizens are (or used to be?) free from getting shot with firearms on the streets. Is it a perfectly free society? No, but for the most part people here have it pretty good. I'd wager most of the immigrants moving here are much more free than they were in their home countries

[SilverElfin]

> When the government does act against "individual freedom", it is usually for the good of larger society.

This line of thinking can be used to justify anything. That’s why it’s important to protect the individual and their rights, even in face of what a majority - who can be unjust - wants. And speech in particular, is so fundamental to the idea of freedom, that it should be almost absolutely protected. A constitutional guarantee of free speech and privacy is critical.

[briga]

You're posting that reply on a message board that, strictly speaking, does not have free speech. If I started flaming you my post would get removed pretty quickly. This forum is heavily moderated. Does that make it a better, or worse, place for discussion?

[dismalaf]

Our murder rate is several times higher than European nations with less restrictive gun laws...

[briga]

And we also share an extremely long land border with the US, go figure