Free speech? The right to disagree with your government? The ability to protest. Nope, those aren't inherent rights in Canada.
A criminal trial began on Tuesday for two leaders of the Freedom Convoy, the grassroots trucker protest that culminated in Ottawa, Canada in March 2022. The demonstration relayed a strong message against Covid-19 public health mandates instituted by the government. Thousands of truckers blocked Ottawa's streets for weeks in a highly successful public rally, but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau retaliated.
Trudeau utilized emergency powers to shut down the opposition by freezing private citizens' bank accounts and implementing "no-go" zones. A GoFundMe account was shut down after surpassing $10 million in donations, and to this day, the disobedient face prosecution.
Organizers Tamara Lich and Chris Barber were arrested three days after an emergency act was implemented when police demanded protestors cease, according to CTV News. Lich sat in jail for 49 days while awaiting bail. The trial is now underway before a judge and is expected to last 16 days.
The two defendants are accused of mischief, obstructing police, counseling others to commit mischief and intimidation. 'Mischief' charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years. Canada's vague criminal code around 'mischief' includes anyone who willfully damages property as well as anyone who obstructs or interrupts the enjoyment of property. This begs the question, can the Canadian government interpret any type of public demonstration as 'mischief?'
"Canada has political prisoners... And would like to keep it that way," Canadian psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson declared on Tuesday morning.
Peterson has been ordered by Canada's licensing board to undergo "re-education" for his " disgraceful, dishonourable and/or unprofessional" public statements, The College Fix reports.
Earlier this year, President Biden said he is set on becoming closer with Canada despite the many power abuses displayed by Trudeau.
"The United States chooses to link our future with Canada’s because we know that we will find no better partner, no more reliable ally, no more steady friend," Biden wrote.
Trudeau has enabled the Canadian government to clamp down on its citizens repeatedly in various circumstances. We the American people have absolutely no interest in linking our future with Trudeau's. We're for free speech, the freedom to criticize the government, and the right to make meaningful change – which we're doing through Article V of the Constitution.
The government won't fix itself, so we will. Join the Convention of States movement in our efforts to put the brakes on Washington's pathway.
