Freedom of expression is a cornerstone of a functioning democracy. Our constitutional commitment to free speech is predicated on the belief that a free society cannot function with coercive legal censorship in the hands of persons supporting one ideology who are motivated to use the power of the censor to suppress opposing viewpoints.
Activity is expressive if it attempts to convey meaning.
That meaning is its content. Not only is there a freedom of expression, there is also a freedom to not express. For example, even though the press enjoys core constitutional rights of access and publication, they do not have protection for all operational means and methods the press may choose to adopt. Understanding freedom of expression requires not only understanding its place in the Canadian constitution, but also, understanding it within the context of society and society's competing values. Topical news and sources for First Amendment issues.