David Sutherland knows what he鈥檇 do if he received a chilling legal letter like the one three social media website hosts received on behalf of the City of Nanaimo last month.

He鈥檇 be mailing them a copy of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and pointedly asking what part of it supports a government seeking to restrict political speech.

Saying several personal attacks had been made about the competency and character of identifiable city staff, lawyer Adrienne Atherton to delete such posts and take steps to ensure they do not appear in the future.

The letter cited a desire to protect staff from workplace harassment and bullying, pointing out that is also required of employers under WorksafeBC regulations.

But Sutherland, a prominent Vancouver-based free speech and media lawyer, suggested the letter might be better described as an attempt to dress up the wolf of censorship in the sheep鈥檚 clothing of protecting employees. He said the Charter right to freedom of expression clearly supersedes any WorksafeBC policy, adding the government cannot be taking steps to stop people from criticizing it, no matter what WorksafeBC regulations might say.

鈥淐ivil servants are not immune from criticism. In many cases, calling them out by name may be the only way to inhibit misbehaviour,鈥� he said.

鈥淭his terrible scourge of criticism of civil servants warrants the muzzling of citizens? We can鈥檛 have it and we can鈥檛 dress it up, this wolf in sheep鈥檚 clothing.鈥�

When asked to provide specific examples of the attacks in question, Nanaimo director of human resources John Van Horne was unable to do so. He described the action as a response to an issue that is out there and has been for some time.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not any particular one,鈥� he said.

WorksafeBC said it had no opinion on the letter itself, but confirmed it accurately describes Nanaimo鈥檚 responsibilities under WorksafeBC policy. Worksafe representatives were unaware of any complaints of this nature from Nanaimo or elsewhere, but said the employer is in the best position to determine whether action is necessary.

Nine Vancouver Island local government jurisdictions contacted by Black Press said they have not had an issue with social media commenting and have not considered action like Nanaimo鈥檚. A tenth, Campbell River, said it has had problems, but is not considering action.

鈥淵es, this has been an unfortunate issue for both staff and elected officials and is of concern to us,鈥� Campbell River Mayor Andy Adams said. 鈥淲hile it may be a 'freedom of speech' issue, nobody deserves to be subjected to some to malicious and defamatory comments that are becoming far too common, especially when it impacts people's family members, particularly children.鈥�

North Cowichan Mayor Jon Lefebure said people who step over the line eventually get exposed for who they are.

鈥淚t is my belief (or is it hope) that those who abuse social media inevitably discredit themselves and have no influence beyond their small circle of disciples,鈥� he said.

The websites , , and Facebook pages received the letter.

Don Bonner of A Better Nanaimo said it did have a 鈥渂it of a chilling effect.鈥�

鈥� with files from Tamara Cunningham

Follow me on Twitter