Free Speech & Disinformation: Protecting Canadian Democracy

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“We have a handful of billionaires in San Francisco that run these tech companies. It doesn't make them the gatekeeper of free speech. But that's what they want to be.” These were the searing words of Texas Senator Bryan Hughes as he introduced Senate Bill 12 this month over claims of unfair censorship of conservative views.

Such developments in recent weeks alone - including Parliament's efforts alongside the Australian government to address online harm and ensure compensation for media outlets - underscore growing calls for more stringent regulation of the behemoths of Big Tech.

YCIF is very pleased to welcome Peter Biro, Founder of Section 1, Public Affairs Commentator, Entrepreneur, and former Partner at two of Canada's distinguished law firms. While the impact, particularly of tech giants, pervades all corners of our lives, the focus of our next fireside chat will zero in on the notion of free speech and the proliferation of disinformation as it relates to the state of Canada's constitutional democracy.

Join us next week! Have your thoughtful questions ready

When:               Thursday, April 1st, 2021
Time:                 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Where:              Online, you'll receive the link to connect to the webinar shortly before it starts
Members:         FREE
Non-members: FREE

Meet our guest

Peter is the Founder of SECTION 1. He is a passionate advocate for civil liberties, human rights, civic engagement, wildlife conservation and animal welfare. He is a lawyer, educator, writer, businessman and community leader and is Chief Executive Officer of Newcon Optik, a world leader in the design and manufacture of electro-optic technology. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA), Past-Chair of the Jane Goodall Institute, Global (Global Secretariat) an international NGO with over 25 Chapters around the world and Chair of the Advisory Board of tech start-up RightBlue Labs Inc., oa “AVAIL”. Prior to joining Newcon Optik, Peter was a partner at two distinguished full service “Bay Street” law firms and was, for two decades, a leading member of the litigation and employment bars in Ontario. He has served as President of Canadian Friends of Haifa University as well as serving on the Board of Governors of the University of Haifa. He was a Director of West Toronto Support Services for Senior Citizens and the Disabled Inc. and a member of the Couchiching Institute on Public Affairs Program Committee. He is the Editor of CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY UNDER STRESS – A Time For Heroic Citizenship (Mosaic Press).

In addition to his commercial law practice, Peter has acted in numerous social and environmental justice causes throughout the course of his professional career. These have included the struggle to expose and combat police corruption, the recovery, on behalf of victims and survivors of the Holocaust, of Nazi-looted property, human rights in the work-place, LGBTQ marriage equality rights, wildlife conservation, animal rights and the ethical treatment of animals.

Following his undergraduate and graduate education in political science (University of Guelph, McMaster University and University of Toronto), Peter studied law at McGill University where he obtained degrees in both the common law and civil law. Peter has written and lectured frequently on law, government and political theory and has appeared on television, radio and in other media to comment on news stories of special interest and on developments in the law and politics. https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-l-biro-2438919

After having adopted two beautiful “rescue puppies” from The Bruno Project, St. Lucia, Peter recently became a volunteer with the organization which is dedicated to saving and finding foreign homes for stray and unwanted dogs from St. Lucia. https://brunoproject.org/

About YCIF

Young Canadians in Finance was founded by Paul Desmarais III and Michael Blickstead in 2006. The organization is present in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, New York and Vancouver.

The Young Canadians in Finance network is a unique meeting place for young professionals and entrepreneurs who want to cultivate a network of privileged contacts and develop their skills through knowledge sharing experiences and networking.

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