The True North Is Strong When It’s Free

My joke for this week … Question: How do you get a Canadian to apologize? Answer: You step on their foot.

It’s true … Canadians are quick to apologize, but will they be so quick to apologize when their freedoms are stepped on? Pierre Poilievre, Ontario MP, explained to his colleagues that Section 2B of the charter of rights and freedoms is at stake. It guarantees us the liberty to express ourselves without reserve and without coercion from the state. He gave a quote by the English author, Orwell, “If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” And that’s exactly what is being censored in Canada … information that the government doesn’t want to be heard by Canadians.

A former CRTC member described Bill C-10 as an assault on freedom of expression. However, censorship is already taking place in Canada.

A recent virtual news conference on Parliament Hill raised concerns about the censorship of doctors and scientists. Dr. Byram Bridle, an Associate Professor on Viral Immunology at the University of Guelph, spoke at the conference.

“Two weeks ago I gave a five minute radio interview. I answered a question I was asked because my entire research program is based on the development of vaccines. I have a lot of expertise in this area. A large number of collaborators and I have developed some concerns and I felt that I could express my concerns. Five minutes after I gave the interview it was like a nuclear bomb went off in my world. I’m sure my life will not be the same again.”

He appreciates that the administration from his institution has made it very clear they are supportive of him and they honour and respect the basic tenant of freedom of speech, however colleagues have been harassing him on social media and in the work place.

“Physicians are afraid to lose their jobs so they will not speak out,” he said. “By expressing concerns my career may very well be destroyed; it’s incomprehensible to me. As Canadians we have to ask, do we want our scientists and physicians’ voices suppressed? We’re polarized right now in Canada; we have people on both sides. I’m respectful of those who hold an opposite opinion; I ask the same for myself and my colleagues. We can’t suppress open discussion of science and medicine in Canada. It’s the hallmark of a democratic society. Right now I don’t recognize the country I was born into,” he concluded.

Next Dr. Patrick Phillips said, on April 30, 2021 the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario was very explicit and threatened investigation and discipline for any physicians who expressed any of the negative aspects lock downs, masking, vaccines or social distancing no matter what the evidence. I

Bill C-10 would only serve to amplify the already present censorship that’s taking place in Canada. The true north needs to be free in order to be strong. Have a happy Canada Day!

You can contact me at joanjanzen@yahoo.com