MLA's 'Blood and Soil' Remarks Spark Speech Policing Debate

0:00Independent MLA tear Armstrong dropped a phrase, blood and soil, last month, while slamming a First Nations Treaty in British Columbia's legislature. That's a term tied to German fascists from World War II. She pulled the comment on April 23 after the speaker ruled against it, but efforts to force an apology fell flat. The BC Greens pushed a censure motion this week, calling her words hateful and discriminatory. It needed unanimous consent to even debate. But Armstrong and another independent MLA blocked it cold. Reactions poured and quick, government-house leader Mike Farnworth labeled the remarks apporant and folks flagged her earlier claim that First Nations practiced cannibalism before Europeans showed up. Armstrong's comments still linger on social media outside the chamber. Now, leaders from all parties are teaming up to scan-standing orders from other parliaments, hunting ways to plug loopholes on vile speech even online. Their eyeing options like forcing takedowns or suspensions if retractions don't stick.

1:02This saga highlights how tough it is to police speech in the house, with recall campaigns or the next election as voter tools, though recalls need over. Forty percent signatures and none have ever succeeded. Change might be coming, but it'll take time. Stay in form with Canada News Today, AI-powered updates.