News

Canada's telecommunications regulator has rejected a bid by an Ottawa lawyer to block access to two U.S.-based hate websites that call for the "violent overthrow" of the Canadian government and the "extermination" of Jews in this country.

In an application filed to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission on Monday, Richard Warman said websites by a Nazi sympathizer contain material intended to incite violence against him that has caused him to fear for his life.

The application to the CRTC described Bill White of Roanoke, Va., as a neo-Nazi who has encouraged people to "take violent action" against Warman and even posted his home address on the sites.

Warman argued the websites communicate hate and advocate genocide, which are offences under the Criminal Code.

Although the sites are beyond the reach of Canadian law, the CRTC has the rarely used power to order Internet providers to temporarily block them from Canadian web surfers.

But the regulatory body must first issue an interim order allowing Internet carriers to do so voluntarily.

On Thursday, the CRTC said the unprecedented nature of Warman's request raises "serious and fundamental issues."

In a letter to the law firm representing Warman, the commission said it would be inappropriate to consider granting the interim order without first giving Internet carriers and other interested parties the opportunity to comment.

"Such a public process would allow for consideration of the broader policy and legal issues regarding the scope, and appropriate use, of the commission's powers," wrote secretary-general Diane Rheaume.

Bernie Farber, chief executive officer of the Canadian Jewish Congress, said he's disappointed in the decision because of what he considers the "considerable danger" to Warman.

"Procedure seems to have trumped the safety of a Canadian citizen here," Farber said.

"I think it's very disconcerting that a Canadian citizen can become the subject of a murder warrant and there doesn't seem to be any procedures in place by the government body that regulates the Internet to in any way intercede on his behalf."

The congress will be looking at re-submitting its application, as well as other avenues with the CRTC, Farber said.

Warman was outside of the country and unable to comment on Friday.

One of the websites, hosted by Google's weblog service Blogger, was taken offline Wednesday.

"We want Blogger to enable free expression, including the hosting of views and opinions that are unpopular," Google spokesman Steve Langdon said.

"However, advocating violence against a person is not acceptable."