No harm, but still foul – a Canadian conundrum

The liberal philosopher John Stuart Mill became famous for his theory that society’s purpose is to maximize happiness. 

He did give this maximum happiness principle one condition, however, called the harm principle, that one shouldn’t harm others in the process of maximizing happiness. You can pray to whoever you want, say whatever you want, and frolic on the beach as much as you want, so long as you’re not hurting others in the process. 

Although the harm principle is used, formally and informally, in many policy circles throughout Canada, the only federal party that has espoused the harm principle is the Libertarian Party of Canada, stating, for instance, that religious freedom should be allowed insofar as it doesn’t harm others. Someone can pray or assemble in any way they wish so long as they don’t engage in harmful cultural practices such as violence and discrimination. 

The Liberal Party, on the other hand, has taken a “play all sides” approach instead of the harm principle, a betrayal of liberal principles.

In other words, the Liberal Party’s approach to religion is that Canadians must blindly accept all religious groups, sects, and denominations equally. Any harm done by a particular group is irrelevant. 

Yet, we know of spiritual groups, sects, and even at times whole religions that espouse and enact violence on a daily basis. 

The collateral damage of a “play all sides” culture involving blind respect without considering the harm to others includes that we are condoning harm to others. It also creates a chilling effect on freedom of speech, something so valuable to democracy and social progress, as one has to be careful under a “respect all equal regime” not to question or criticize particular religious practices, groups or denominations.

It is important for libertarians, on the other hand, and I venture to say the majority of Canadians, that we minimize harmful or violent practices, even if it means confronting some sort of authority. 

The harm principle has been established in various policy circles already, such as with “harm reduction” policies meant to minimize drug overdoses. It is used throughout the court system in assessing the right sentences and fines to impose against those before the courts.

To officially legislate the harm principle as the over-arching principle behind the Charter of Rights and Freedoms is something that the Libertarian Party can pursue for Canadians, whether or not they are elected into government, as they are the only party that has incorporated the harm principles in its platform and explicitly defended it.