Canadian civil liberties, Holocaust denial, and the Zundel trials

Perhaps one of the thorniest problems in the realm of freedom of expression involves the question of what to do about Holocaust deniers. This is a period in which is being seen the loss of the last Holocaust survivors and an exponential growth in Holocaust-denial literature. The dominant cultural and legal defenses of liberalism and tolerance are being challenged daily by critics from both the right and left ends of the political spectrum. One fruitful way of learning about the range of options available to combat this problem comes from observing how nations besides the US have dealt with Holocaust deniers. This article provides a basic overview of some of the trials and tribulations that have come from Canada's legal experiences with Holocaust issues. More specifically, it illuminates the ways that the Ernst Zundel trials provide a context for discussing the principles and interests involved in coping with Holocaust deniers.