Michaud Affair - Aftermath

Aftermath

On December 19, 2000, former Quebec Premier Jacques Parizeau (who held similar remarks in 1995 before resigning), and many others signed an open letter condemning the hasty resolution and supporting Michaud's, in the name of the right to freedom of expression and the distinction of power between the federal and provincial governments (hate speech laws being under the canadian federal jurisdiction). The letter was published in several newspapers.

The same day, Jacques Brassard, the parliamentary leader of the government at the time, answered also in an open letter to the newspapers, that the motion was not against Yves Michaud himself, but on his comments made as a public person seeking office in the government. He said that the National Assembly had the right to condemn unacceptable propositions made in a political context. He also reminded Michaud that freedom of speech was not a one-way proposition.

The event, which is said to have been a reason for Lucien Bouchard's resignation on January 11, 2001, was not listed in B'nai Brith's annual compilation of anti-semitic events. During an interview for Voir magazine for the week of March 1, 2001, Robert Libman stated that he did not think Yves Michaud was an anti-semite and that his remarks had been distorted.

Some less-involved observers in the media have expressed the view that although Michaud's comments were borderline and controversial as they could be interpreted as trivialization of the Shoah, the comparisons made by his accusers to notable antisemites like Ernst Zündel were excessive and exaggerated Michaud's intent.

Michaud has been battling in court to defend his reputation since that time.