By Lloyd Mackey

THE SUPREME Court of Canada reserved judgment, a few weeks ago, on an appeal by septuagenarian Vancouver broadcaster Rafe Mair against a B.C. Court of Appeal finding that he had defamed a socially-conservative political activist.

The case has been proceeding upwards in the courts since 1999, when Mair told his then CKNW audience: “I really hate to give Kari Simpson any more publicity, something she soaks up like a blotter, but she’s become such a menace I really think something must be said.”

What he said, which led ultimately to then 40ish Simpson’s lawsuit, we will leave to another day, when we learn whether the high court finds for Mair or Simpson.

But, to put it into context, Simpson is a single mother of four who fought vigorously for a range of pro-life and pro-family issues during the 90s, under the structure of an organization known as the Citizens Research Institute.

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A one-time Simpson ally, Mair became something of an adversary – as he gradually came to the conclusion that she was on a bit of a power trip, and had a tendency toward anti-gay bigotry. (I am paraphrasing, in a way I trust will protect me from being seen to repeat Mair’s alleged defamation.)

For his part, Mair, a constitutional lawyer by profession, was a cabinet minister in Bill Bennett’s Social Credit government in the late 70s. After leaving politics, he became a well-regarded and, at times, controversial radio talk show host.

There are many Christian people in British Columbia who will remember both Mair and Simpson, although both have had a lower profile in recent years, as politicians and religious leaders have moved on to other interests and causes.

But the outcome of the Supreme Court’s hearing on this case, no matter how it falls, will be interesting – and instructive – to Christian people who want to communicate their values in a sometimes alien world.

Lloyd Mackey was the founding editor of BC Christian News.

January 2008