P.O. Box 119 
Unit 3 - 4500 Kingston Road, Toronto, ON M1E 2N9

Complaint to Metro Toronto Police re Eminem at Skydome October 26, 2000

October 4, 2021

Hate Crimes Unit
Metro Toronto Police Service
40 College Street
Toronto, ON M5G 2J3

Dear Sir/Madam:

Re Appearance by rapper Eminem at Skydome October 26, 2021

I would like to file a complaint against the management of Skydome for hosting an event featuring American rapper, Eminem. Eminem promotes hatred and advocates violence against women in his lyrics. In addition, gay rights groups in the United States have accused him of promoting hatred and violence against gays and lesbians. He has also been charged with carrying a concealed weapon and felony assault in the United States, but has not been convicted at this point.

Following are excerpts from "Kim" in which he tells of killing his wife, Kim (complete lyrics enclosed):

Don't you get it bitch, no one can hear you.
Now shut the fuck up and get what's coming to you.
You were supposed to love me.
Now bleed bitch bleed, bleed, bitch bleed. Bleed.
So long, bitch you did me so wrong.

Also attached are lyrics from "Kill You" which include:

Slut, you think I won't choke no whore
Till her vocal cords don't work in her throat no more
Put your hands down bitch I ain't gonna shoot you
Imma pull you to this bullet and put it through you
Shut up, slut you're causing too much chaos
Just bend over and take it like a slut
I invented violence you vile, venomous, vomital bitches
Bitch, Imma kill you

This man promotes hatred and violence against women, and Skydome is facilitating him in that endeavour by providing him with a venue. While gender is not included in the hate propaganda law, Section 15 of the Charter guarantees women the equal protection of Canadian laws. Also, courts have "read" sexual orientation into legislation when it has not been specifically mentioned, and will therefore "read" gender into them as well; to do otherwise, would be discriminatory.

I'm open to correction on this, but I seem to recall people in Toronto being charged under the hate propaganda laws for carrying placards at a demonstration that said "Honk if you hate Gypsies". Eminem's lyrics are much worse than that, and at Skydome he will be reaching a much larger audience than a handful of protestors could ever hope to.

I believe approval by the Attorney General is required for laying charges under the hate propaganda laws. Given the Hon. Jim Flaherty's campaign and very publicly-stated concern with violence against women and, in particular, domestic violence, I hope he can be counted on to give approval in this instance.

Sincerely,

Valerie Smith

Cc
The Hon. James Flaherty, Attorney General, Ontario
Scott Newark, Special Counsel, Office for Victims of Crime, Ontario
Francis Lankin, M.P.P.
Michael Bryant, M.P.P.
Jack Layton, White Ribbon Campaign
Peter Jaffe, Executive Director, London Family Court Clinic
Irene Brenner, Executive Director, MediaWatch
EGALE
Jake Geleerd, President, Skydome