Comic fights for the right to crack sick jokes | Mike Ward faces human rights tribunal

Comic fights for the right to crack sick jokes

Mike Ward faces human rights tribunal

A comedian has been hauled up in front of a human rights tribunal for making a joke at someone's expense.

If Mike Ward loses the case, he could face a fine or restrictions on performing – which campaigners say will have a chilling effect on free speech in Canada, where the action has been bought.

The shock comic is fighting for the right to mock anything he chooses in the case brought by Jérémy Gabriel and his family, who are seeking a reported CA$80,000 (£42,500) in damages.

Gabriel, who suffers from a condition that causes facial disfigurement, became well-known in Quebec after he was flown to Rome to sing for Pope Benedict in 2006.

In a stand-up special in 2012, Ward said that he was happy about the trip, but joked that he was disappointed that 'five years later, he [Gabriel] is still not dead.'

Gabriel, who is now 19, said he was too young to deal with the joke at the time and that it: 'I lost confidence and hope. It made me think my life is worth less than another's because I'm handicapped.'

Ward said the emotional testimony of Gabriel's mother Sylvie at the tribunal made him feel 'horrible' because 'I do comedy to make people laugh, not to hurt people's feelings,' but said it was important he had the right to joke about people in the public eye.

He added: 'I'm sure my jokes didn't help, but I can't be held responsible for everything that happened to him.'

'It wasn't offensive for me, but it was for certain other people. And I think you should be allowed to shock people. I don't think the social justice warriors should censor everything.'

Fellow comedians have rallied round Ward. However Gabriel is claiming that the line was 'not acceptable' because jokes about disabled people have to be made with 'full respect'.

Here's the report on CBC News from Canada.

And here's the contentious routine, in French:

Published: 27 Feb 2016

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