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CTV News | 12Mar2013 | Canadian Press
http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/controversial-b-c-lawyer-doug-christie-dead-at-66-1.1191883

Controversial B.C. lawyer Doug Christie dead at 66

[W.Z.  Even in death, the MSM (Mainstream News Media) cannot refrain from demonizing the clients of the late Douglas Christie -- as highlighted below in red. The unknown authors refer to Michael Seifert, Ernst Zundel, Paul Fromm, David Ahenakew and Jim Keegstra. They do not mention Malcolm Ross, Doug Collins, Glen Bahr and others. Strangely, they do not even mention his most important case -- the war crimes trial of Imre Finta, where the 12 person jury acquitted Mr. Finta of all charges (charged in 1987, acquitted in 1990, upheld by the Ontario Court of Appeal in 1992 and the Supreme Court of Canada in 1994). This was the first-and-only war crimes trial prosecuted by Canada's War Crimes unit, which was established following the recommendation of the Deschenes Commission in 1986. Thereafter, criminal prosecutions of imaginary "Nazi war criminals" were abandoned in favour of the denaturalization and deportation process (modeled after the John Demjanjuk case in the United States), which fraudulently equates immigration infractions with war criminality.

Several youtube videos highlighting Mr. Christie are available at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m_9L9VDxjk&feature=youtu.be   [06:26] 20Feb2009 -- Doug Christie "Who I am"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnJvP6Ryfp0  [04:33] 22Mar2010 -- Ann Coulter episode
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYu4e6PdPsM  [06:52] 08Nov2012 -- Ezra Levant re Arthur Topham
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f93BUkI9RQo  [03:15]  26Mar2009 -- Universal Principles in Free Speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMwI0GWB7Ik  [06:32] 30Sep2009 -- Justice System deteriorating in Canada
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGLO-bJPswg  [09:55]  02Mar2009 -- Imre Finta case
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oaio27lysc  [04:15] 07Mar2010 -- Ernst Zundel release
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPqOlgmNbus  [06:27] 24Feb2009 -- David Ahenakew Decision
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RC6qBhBr38  [04:24] 26Mar2012 -- Ideological split re NDP leadership race

http://www.cbc.ca/asithappens/features/2013/02/26/controversial-free-speech-lawyer-doug-christie-1/  26Feb2013 interview on CBC "As It Happens"

The comments and links reproduced below provide further information about the integrity of Mr. Christie. Certainly, he can proudly take his place amongst the Righteous of the World. Vichna yomu pamyat. May his memory be eternal.]

VICTORIA -- A lawyer who forged his reputation by representing Canada's most reviled hatemongers will be revered by supporters for championing free speech and filling a vital role in the justice system, while his detractors say he was too closely aligned with the racist views of his clients.

Doug Christie died in hospital on Monday night at the age of 66.

His wife, Keltie Zubko, told The Canadian Press her husband, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2011, died of metastatic liver disease.

She said Christie was surrounded by his family.

"(We) were all with him and able to say all that was in our hearts to say before he let go of the pain and suffering to leave us with the immense gifts of his love for us and the lessons of his life," Zubko said in an email forwarded by one of his supporters.

Christie's client list includes former Nazi prison guard Michael Seifert, Holocaust-denier Ernst Zundel and self-proclaimed Nazi-sympathizer Paul Fromm.

Zundel, who maintains the Holocaust never occurred, was convicted in 1985 for "spreading false news"' about Jewish people and was sentenced to 15 months in jail.

Seifert was convicted of war crimes and was eventually extradited to Italy, where he was to spend the rest of his life in prison.

Fromm described Christie as an immensely brave man who was motivated by a deep love of freedom and a suspicion of government and authority.

"The Doug I knew was a sensitive and proud man. He was a deeply moral man. He did not seek notoriety," Fromm said in an email, noting the two were friends for more than 30 years.

"He felt the rejections and condemnations deeply. Yet, Doug felt a higher imperative -- individual freedom and liberty. "

Fromm is a former member of the Western Guard white supremacist group and self-styled director of the right-wing Canadian Association for Free Expression.

Christie also represented aboriginal leader David Ahenakew, who was stripped of his Order of Canada for comments he made about Jews.

The legal saga over Ahenakew's comments ended in 2009 when Saskatchewan justice officials decided not to appeal his acquittal on a hate crime charge.

Christie later argued that Ahenakew should get back the Order of Canada.

Christie also defended Alberta teacher Jim Keegstra, who was initially convicted of promoting hatred against Jewish people, but his conviction was later thrown out by the Alberta appeal court.

Chris Schafer, executive director of the Canadian Constitution Foundation, said Christie served a necessary and important purpose in Canadian law and society.

"There seems to be ... a few number of people who are willing to stick their neck out and defend unpopular causes and people. He was one of them. Every society needs people like that," he said in an interview.

"Some of the people he defended are unsavoury types, but everyone deserves a defence."

Schafer, who heads a non-profit group composed of lawyers who defend cases involving constitutional freedoms, said Christie took on a very difficult task.

"(He) frankly probably paid a heavy emotional or psychological or maybe even health consequence for taking on these cases (for) often being identified as having or holding the same views of his client," he said, noting he did not know the man personally.

"Which I think really is an unfair characterization."

But lawyer Anita Bromberg, who represented the Jewish advocacy group B'Nai Brith in hearings related to Zundel in the mid-2000s, said she found herself an adversary to Christie in the courtroom.

"I can't agree with the tributes that say he was an amazing man who stood up for free speech. All too often what he stood up for was the right to spread hate and hate-related speech. To me he was on the wrong side of that coin," she said in an interview.

"Watching his career, I think he all too often shared (his clients') philosophies and sentiments."

Christie found himself in trouble with the B.C. Law Society in 2008 when he was accused of professional misconduct and slapped with a hefty fine.

In 2003, Christie had authorized three subpoenas that contained documents affixed with a forged court stamp. Although Christie was found not to be involved in the forged subpoenas, the law society said he did ask his untrained client to prepare the documents.

In its decision, the law society ordered Christie to pay two fines totalling $22,500 but noted it did not want to give him a fine he wasn't able to pay because it might force him out of practising law.

"The panel described Christie's work as a valuable contribution to our free society, often performed pro bono or for greatly reduced fees, and stated its desire that Christie be able to continue with that work," said a society bulletin.

Outside of his legal work, the man advocated for his political beliefs including founding and leading the Western Block Party. The Western separatist party espoused views that federalism doesn't work.

Christie ran under the banner during the 2006 federal election in the riding of Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca.

On his website, Christie, who attended law school at the University of B.C. from 1967 to 1979, described himself as "Canada's most prolific defender of free speech."

Christie also acknowledged that because of the clients he represented, he was seen as a right-wing extremist, a Nazi, or an anti-Semite -- smear words he said were inaccurate and unfair.

He said he was an individualist who recognized every other person's right to be so assessed.

"It was principles of freedom that caused me to step off the beaten path," wrote Christie.

"It is the love of freedom that keeps me off the path of slaves."



http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2013/03/12/doug-christie.html
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Controversial+Victoria+lawyer+Doug+Christie+dies/8084300/story.html
http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/03/12/controversial-free-speech-defender-douglas-h-christie-lawyer-for-canadas-most-prominent-hatemongers-dead-at-66/
http://www.theprovince.com/news/Canadian+Press+NewsAlert+Controversial+Victoria+lawyer+Doug/8081880/story.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_Christie_%28lawyer%29
http://www.douglaschristie.com/     -- Douglas Christie's website

COMMENTS:

*** Archie1954 *** 15Mar2013 at 12:28 AM ***
It is important to freedom to support and encourage the free exchange of thoughts written or oral. We may not agree with what is said but we should agree that it an individual has a right to say it. Those that feel maligned by certain words have the right to sue in slander or libel as they have always had.

*** Aryana Stewart *** 14Mar2013 at 2:52 PM ***
and Kim K...Thank you for your comment...I wish you and your family well...14/88

*** Aryana Stewart *** 14Mar2013 at 2:50 PM ***
R.I.P Doug you were not only a hero, but an insperation. I thank you so much for all you have done for us and the cause we fight daily for. I am so sorry I will not get to work with you for the book, but you can be sure i know you are going to guide me from Valhalla and there will be a part of the book dedicated to you as well as a chapter as a great hero among our people...Thank you so much Brother...You will never be forgotten. Keltie and Children, we are here for you forever. If there is anything you need please just ask. Laundry, house cleaning, shopping, anything please ask us it would be an honor to help you. Forever Loyal 14/88

*** Kim K. *** 12Mar2013 at 9:11 PM ***
Doug Christie was an heroic figure whose example we can profit from. My condolences to his family.

*** Mark Kragh *** 12Mar2013 at 7:27 PM ***
I got to see him in action helping a friend with a David vs Goliath case. An amazing man who stood up for free speech and against absolute tyranny which we all too often surrender to. Rest in peace! Prayers go out to your loved ones left behind.

*** Jim McLeod *** 12Mar2013 at 4:13 PM ***
Surprised there is no mention of his work as a Western separatist! That's one of the things that took up most of his time, and as a separatist, I found that he, while not a boon, was certainly not a help to us, and while his defense of free speech was good, defending teachers like Keegstra who were outside of freedom of speech by using schoolroom powers to indoctrinate, left a foul taste in my mouth.

*** Ruth Newton *** 12Mar2013 at 11:31 AM ***
I went to highschool with Doug, and even then, there was a strength about him. RIP my old friend.

*** Kathleen and Mark Toth *** 12Mar2013 at 11:25 AM ***
Our prayers and condolences go out to Keltie and the children. Doug likened himself to Father Damien who, because he cared for lepers was often considered to be one of them. Doug was a defender of Justice. May he rest in peace.

*** Bill in Orleans *** 12Mar2013 at 11:17 AM ***
Cre Wrote - "@Bill in Orleans Free speech must be absolute Bill, otherwise those that have the power to silence others in order to further their own ends will, it's as simple as that." We do not live in an absolute world and nothing is simple when it comes to social responsibility. Luckily in Canada we do not have the bipolar beliefs of those to the south of us there is no simple right or wrong there are shades of grey and with free speech there are a few shades no one has the right to yell fire in a crowded theater no one has the right to promote hatred etc... But we defend free speech because no one has the right to silence the truth. Lies on the other hand are a very different story.

*** Shelly W *** 12Mar2013 at 10:43 AM ***
RIP Doug Christie - once upon a time he helped me - a single mom - because he was a friend of my Father's. He was a really good person.

*** Michael from the real world *** 12Mar2013 at 10:27 AM ***
Every citizen before the court, however odious their alleged crimes, is entitled to legal defence. Doug Christie ensured that for many. Condolences to his family, RIP Mr. Christie.

*** sherljim *** 12Mar2013 at 10:08 AM ***
Sorry to swim against the stream on this, and I respect the principle that a trial lawyer has to use all his powers to defend the rights of his or her client. I do feel, however, that Mr. Christie defended some extremely hateful people with such enthusiasm and vigour, that had he not been a lawyer he might have needed someone like himself to defend him for making claims similar to those made by his clients.

*** Cre *** 12Mar2013 at 10:05 AM ***
@Bill in Orleans Free speech must be absolute Bill, otherwise those that have the power to silence others in order to further their own ends will, it's as simple as that.

*** Cre *** 12Mar2013 at 10:03 AM ***
I salute you Doug! I do not agree with the words of many you have represented, but free speech must be absolute, and you have defended it under great personal cost.

*** tina barnes *** 12Mar2013 at 10:02 AM ***
Thank you Doug for all you have been and done while here. You live on. May many more peaceful warriors such as yourself step forward to fill the vacuum.

*** Josey Wales *** 12Mar2013 at 9:10 AM ***
Whilst his clients were out there, Canada NEEDS hundreds more as he! In these days of over the top PC Crusaders, UN based HRT...and the cultural elites ramming whatever they wish into our political system. Doug was opposition to the tyranny that comes with all the nonsense bleated out by the sheep.

*** Bill in Orleans *** 12Mar2013 at 9:00 AM ***
I am not always a fan of Free speech. I think we should earn the right to it by being respectful of others and some of Christie's clients weren't. However I agree with Christie's defense of it because we must first begin with freedom in order to understand its value and as we abuse that freedom the state has the right to remove it. What is freely given should be respected. Everyone should have the right to have a dog but if you beat it should you still be allowed to have one? Freedom of speech is too valuable to be allowed to be abused.

*** Reza Karim *** 12Mar2013 at 8:51 AM ***
Mr. Doug Christie, a Lawyer of great moral compass, a rarity in today's world of "buck chasing" lawyers; and above all, a man of great courage and conviction would sorely be missed. Canada & Canadian justice system is the ultimate loser in his untimely death. May you rest in peace, Mr. Christie.

*** Rudy Haugeneder *** 12Mar2013 at 7:59 AM ***
He fought for peoples' rights and freedoms, no matter how much public opinion condemned some who exercised these rights in a tasteless manner and who Doug Christie defended in court because no other trained lawyer had the guts to do so -- unless paid handsomely in advance. I always admired Christie's determination to protect all our rights. He was a great hero.

*** S. Henderson *** 12Mar2013 at 7:58 AM ***
Rest in peace and thank you for your defence of free speech.

*** Pierre *** 12Mar2013 at 7:52 AM ***
In a time of obfuscation and lies telling the truth is revolutionary. You are gone pal, others will rise to keep the flame of Justice and Peace alight.

*** Jim Kozmyk *** 12Mar2013 at 6:35 AM ***
Canada has lost a giant. This man of courage and integrity will not easily be replaced.