James Keegstra | |
|---|---|
 Keegstra in 1985 | |
| Mayor of Eckville, Alberta | |
| In office 1974–1983 | |
| Preceded by | Hans Coppens |
| Succeeded by | Harold Leach |
| Acting Leader of the Social Credit Party of Canada | |
| In office July 27, 1987 – July 28, 1987 | |
| Preceded by | Harvey Lainson |
| Succeeded by | Harvey Lainson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 30, 1934 Vulcan, Alberta, Canada |
| Died | June 2, 2014 (aged 80) Red Deer, Alberta, Canada |
| Political party | Social Credit |
| Children | 4 |
| Occupation | Teacher, mechanic |
| Known for | Respondent in R v Keegstra |
James "Jim" Keegstra (March 30, 1934 – June 2, 2014) was a public school teacher and mayor in Eckville, Alberta, Canada, who was charged under the Criminal Code with wilful promotion of hatred against an identifiable group, the Jewish people, in 1984. The charge led to lengthy litigation over the next twelve years, including three hearings in the Supreme Court of Canada, with Keegstra arguing that the offence of wilful promotion of hatred infringed his right to freedom of expression under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Ultimately, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the offence, and Keegstra was convicted.
The events surrounding the charge received substantial international attention. The main Supreme Court decision, R v Keegstra, became a landmark Canadian legal case upholding the constitutionality of the country's hate speech laws.
In addition to the criminal case, Keegstra was dismissed from his teaching position, and his teaching certificate was revoked. He spent the rest of his life farming and working in a custodial position, dying at age 80 in 2014.