We’ve written often about the cultural divide in Canada. Divisions between political parties, lobbyists, special interest groups, and the sometimes competing interests of voters and taxpayers (though they’re often the same people) have been the meat and potatoes of political analysis for a very long time. The changes taking place in Canada today, however, signal a new degree, if not a whole new kind, of fragmentation.

Although political differences run deep—until recently—Canadians could generally track the direction of the government of the day and weigh in with approval or disapproval . . . either by communicating with their member of Parliament or voting for a change at the next general election. Canadians have generally had access—through media reports, government statements or town-hall meetings—to the thinking behind the decisions. They may have supported those decisions or opposed them vigorously, but they have generally understood the political forces at work.

Today, it seems that more and more government decisions are made behind closed doors, by Orders in Council (OICs), by cabinet ministers, by high-level bureaucrats or by the courts. Major decisions that were once debated by elected Members of Parliament are now routinely rolled out and acted on by the government in power without parliamentary debate or any opportunity for public input.

Three examples:

• The banning of “military-style assault rifles” (a phrase concocted by government PR wordsmiths for emotional impact) following the tragic killings in Nova Scotia in 2020. The government, without the benefit of debate and public feedback, banned 1500 types of firearms. The government appeared to think that pronouncements about “public safety” would be sufficient to quell any unrest that would arise as a result of their hasty, knee-jerk reactions to a tragedy. In a follow-up move, the government is now pushing formal legislation, Bill C-21, essentially making handguns no longer available to law-abiding citizens. Their last-minute amendment that would include a vast array of hunting rifles was a brazen attempt to advance their agenda of firearms confiscation, one piece at a time. Fortunately, public opinion on that point has thrown sand into the gears and they have been forced to “reconsider.” A good lesson for us all on the value of public opinion and the importance of expressing it.
• The fulsome embrace by prominent government actors of organizations like the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are another indication that those in Mr. Trudeau’s inner circle care little about the concerns of those who hold “unacceptable views.” The idea that Canada seems willing to abandon its sovereignty and place government policies at the whim of WEF strongman, Klaus Schwab, sets off alarm bells with those who follow current events and who care about the preservation of personal freedom in Canada. Deputy Prime Minister, Chrystia Freeland, no friend to freethinkers in Canada, recently spoke at the WEF summit in Davos, Switzerland and is a Trustee on their board, an indication that Mr. Trudeau’s inner circle are comfortable with the move toward global governance. Decisions made at the recent summit are still under wraps and Ms. Freeland has been less than transparent about her involvement.
• The imposition of the Emergencies Act in Feb. 2022 and the use of “military-style assault” on peaceful protestors in Ottawa. That decision was taken by the PM and his sycophantic cabinet. Only after the deed was done did he appeal to Parliament for their support and the lockstep endorsement of Liberal and NDP MPs was no surprise. No prior effort to negotiate a peaceful settlement was undertaken by the PM, in spite of invitations to meet being extended by Convoy organizers.

The problem of broken communications and lack of trust is compounded by party discipline and party-line voting. MPs are expected to toe the line of their party’s leader or inner circle. They can no longer be counted on to represent their constituents or even their own conscientiously-held views. The question has to be asked, “Why are we paying 338 Members of Parliament when we only need a Prime Minister to unilaterally make decisions?” Supporting a decision in retrospect is of zero value.

The move toward censorship and government control of major media outlets (Bill C-11) has heightened the concern and raised the stakes for victory in the battle for free expression. The current attack on Dr. Jordan Peterson by the College of Psychologists of Ontario is another indication of the desperate crossroads at which we find ourselves today. If he can be silenced (which I seriously doubt), then freedom of speech will be lost for every professional. In British Columbia, the socialist NDP government of David Eby is attempting a grandiose takeover of all 24 health professional colleges (College of Physicians and Surgeons, College of Oral Health Professionals, College of Chiropractors, etc.) Bill 36, an odious piece of legislation, was passed by the Legislature without any review or debate of 400 of its clauses; it would give government officials control over all health care professionals in BC. Practitioners who might recommend any treatment not mandated by the government could be subject to a $200,000 fine and/or 6 months in jail per offence. The BC Healthcare system is already severely understaffed. Opponents of the bill fear a mass exodus of health practitioners from BC.

These are the kinds of things we are facing in Canada today—a real crisis of trust. Human beings will often let us down, but no matter how grim things may become politically and societally, we can always trust in God. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. We in the Christian Heritage Party are under no illusions that political actions will save Canada. We do not put our trust in people or politics. We trust in God Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. He alone can restore and maintain Canada’s freedom and prosperity, and we seek to apply His wisdom to our politics and declare His sovereignty over our beloved Canada. Join us in our efforts; without Him we can do nothing, but with God, all things are possible!