The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that B.C. Transit violated the free speech rights, when it refused to carry third party political ads, on the outside of its buses. Transit used the excuse that it didn’t carry ads that were controversial, offensive, or political in nature, out of deference to those who might be offended.

So ads for Tampex or some Get Rich Quick Scheme aren’t offensive either?

The two groups that took this case to the courts, aren’t what I’d call exactly good role models but the issue is about free speech. I really don’t believe that the Teacher’s Union, should be running political ads, but hey, that is my opinion. And that is what the Courts have protected, with its ruling.

While I don’t agree with the stand taken by the Union, either the Student or Teacher’s, I object more to B.C. Transit trying to decide what is, and what isn’t, offensive to me. That should be left to me to decide, not some hand picked manager. And let’s be honest, they do provide advertising, and so why should they deny anyone from using that service?

For the time being, Transit is an extension of Government. It isn’t privately owned, or operated, and is funded not just by its own revenues, but by the taxpayers. In that sense, I believe they have a moral obligation to not discriminate on what ads they show, or don’t. IF they were privately run, then that might be a different matter. BUT THEY AREN’T.

Now on the other hand, IF I were a teacher, I’d be more upset about the Union wanting to make me pay for the political point of view of a select few, or even majority, rather than staying out of the fray, and picking sides. I’d OBJECT to them giving political contributions to ANY political party, never mind running political ads on buses.