Canada rules that flipping the middle finger is a 'God-given' right
By: JULIANA KIM
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Canada rules that flipping the middle finger is a 'God-given' right
A Canadian judge ruled that offending someone is not a crime after two neighbors got into a verbal dispute. Getty Images
The gesture is considered rude, offensive and inappropriate but one thing it is not — at least under Canadian law — is illegal.
A Canadian judge ruled last month that giving someone the finger is protected under the country's Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
"It is not a crime to give someone the finger. Flipping the proverbial bird is a God-given, Charter enshrined right that belongs to every red-blooded Canadian," Judge Dennis Galiatsatos wrote in the Feb. 24 ruling.
The legality of a raised middle finger was questioned after two neighbors from a Montreal suburb got into a heated exchange in May 2021.
According to court documents, Michael Naccache was outside of his home when Neall Epstein passed by. Naccache accused Epstein of startling him and making vulgar gestures, like a raised middle finger and a throat-slitting motion.
Epstein admitted that he cursed at Naccache and flipped him off but he testified that it was initially Naccache who who started the altercation and called Epstein "crazy" along with other offensive names. Epstein also denied making any physical gestures to suggest that he would threaten his neighbor's life.
Later, Naccache called the police and Epstein was arrested, specifically on the grounds of criminal harassment and uttering death threats against his neighbor. The two men have a history of arguments and this was not the first time that the police were involved.
The judge ruled that nearby surveillance footage did not corroborate Naccache's accusation and ultimately dismissed Epstein's charges.
During his decision, Galiatsatos also said that "offending someone is not a crime."
"The complainants are free to clutch their pearls in the face of such an insult. However, the police department and the 9-1-1 dispatching service have more important priorities to address," he wrote.
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If you were to flip the middle finger at someone when in the USA, would it be considered a crime? If so, maybe it depends on who you flip it to. Perhaps the First Amendment permits it to be done.
Many in Australia now consider it a "third salute". We have the traditional military salute, then there's the boy scout " 3 finger " salute, and now there's the "one finger" salute, originally as a message of antagonism, but now increasingly as a friendly message of disagreement between acquaintances. So far, never heard of anyone being arrested for it !!! lol
In some situations it could cause a black eye or a bloody nose.
In the US we use it to communicate our disrespect for assholes (especially aggressive drivers).
I use it to show my disrespect for Donald Fucking Trump.
And here I always supposed that Canadians were just too damn polite for that sort of thingy.
America is having a greater influence on Canadians than I can remember. Canada is even starting to get an unwanted amount of gun violence.
When I lived in the Philippines for four years, extending said universal sign of friendship was against the law by the Philippines government as it was considered defamation of character against the intended recipient. However, if a Filipino national flipped off a American it was considered okay and no consequences.
I can understand that.
Meaning?
Your last sentence. You might not be aware of it, Ed, but Americans are not loved all around the world. I was unaware of that until I took a trip to Spain and Morocco almost 60 years ago, and discovered that American backpackers were sewing Canadian flags onto their backpacks - I need not explain why.
So you are willing to judge the majority because of the actions of the minority? If so I guess you are right, you need not explain.
Anyone who doesn't like Americans is not going ot differentiate between angels and devils. However, I resent the fact that you take it that I had meant ALL Americans in my comments. If that were true, why would I even be a member of NT?
(Deleted)
I deem the comment to be offensive - RED BOX RULES. Buzz of the Orient
I've rethought your comment. I said American backpackers, and that does NOT mean ALL Americans, and I was speaking of how the Europeans felt about the Americans, NOT ME. So don't twist my words to mean what you might be paranoid about, because I do NOT judge ALL Americans based on some of them. Hey, after all, some of my best friends are Americans. (Where have I heard that before?)
My apologies if you feel I slighted you in any way in post #4.1.3 as such was not my intention. Perhaps you did not notice the question mark at the end of the first sentence. I was merely asking for a clarification in post #4.1. Again my apologies Sir.
All misunderstandings have been cleared up - all is good between us.
A court case in my sate ruled that flipping someone off is free speech.
The individual on trial had been arrested for flipping off a cop.
However, I don't recommend anyone flip off a cop even though it's not illegal.
Never thought it would be a good idea to piss off a cop. By the way, please tell me what the YouTube is, because I'm unable to open it.
It's a young guy getting hassled for flipping off a cop. The cops detain him butt eventually, they let him go.
Thanks. You're up pretty late - live on the west coast?
I live in a state of insomnia.
That's it! Legal weed, Justin Trudeau and I can flip someone off!
I'm moving to Canada
Don't forget free health care and butter tarts. Yet I left where weed is legal to live where it's a serious crime.
Butter tarts? Do tell.
I will need free health care if butter tarts are what I think they are
I just googled butter tarts...sounds delicious but must one use maple syrup? I was thinking molasses to make it more like a shoo fly pie
They are.
Butter tarts are a very Canadian thing, and they REQUIRE maple syrup. Maple trees are very big in Canada. Almost every home I lived in in Canada had at least one maple tree on the property. Other very Canadian food things are poutine, beavertails, Nanaimo bars and counterfeit M&Ms called Smarties.
Ok...ok...real maple syrup it is
Enjoy!!!
The judge is obviously incorrect as there is no evidence this is a God given right
But I thought that in God you trust, and besides, His truth is marching on.