In R v Butler, how did the court view the material sold by the defendant?

In R v Butler, the court examined the nature of the material sold by the defendant through the lens of its impact on society, particularly regarding the treatment of women. The court recognized that the content in question, which included sexually explicit material, could be viewed as degrading and harmful. This perspective aligned with societal values and the legal imperative to protect individuals from material that could perpetuate violence against women and contribute to gender inequality.

The ruling emphasized that while freedom of expression is a fundamental right, it is not absolute and must be balanced against the need to protect public morality and the dignity of individuals, especially marginalized groups. The court ultimately concluded that the material's content went beyond mere free speech and entered the realm of promoting a negative, harmful portrayal of women, which justified restrictions under Canadian law. This interpretation underscores the judicial recognition of the potential harm that certain forms of expression can inflict on society, particularly on vulnerable populations.