The Freedom Feature Podcast - First Freedoms Foundation (Barry Bussey)

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“We have to make sure that we’re open for market-dominated economics and not just pay for whatever the latest trend is.” – Derek Sloan

The Ontario Party was established in 2018 and Derek Sloan became its leader in 2021. At its core, the party stands for freedom, family and faith. In this video, Derek tells fellow lawyer Barry W. Bussey that he wants to bring sanity back into politics. Our main systems of healthcare and education need reform. Because of their compounding effects, immigration needs to be reined in and housing needs to be expanded. Ontario’s economy is stalled; Derek’s not interested in mud slinging the other parties, but he believes the PCs, Liberals and NDP have become too focused on new ideas that have not stood the test of time. We need to regain substantive manufacturing to restore Ontario to its former wealth.

Right now, the Ontario Party needs to collect ~ 1,000 signatures from Ontario residents who are also Canadian citizens to be able to register the party to fight again in the next election.

Fill out the form at this link:

https://mcusercontent.com/cf445e062971a932e6da941b6/files/a707344c-a813-7eb3-25a2-ce2eae98cceb/ONP_registration_signatures_form.pdf. Then email the form to signatures@ontarioparty.ca.

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In this captivating two-part interview, we dive into the life of Jason Kurz, a skilled electrician with exceptional expertise in nuclear-generating power. Renowned for his outstanding contributions, Jason's career took an unexpected turn when government mandates led to the loss of his job. 


Threats from his workplace loomed over him, promising to sabotage his professional future. In order to return to his in-person duties, he was presented with a dilemma: either receive the mandated vaccinations or endure bi-weekly testing. 

Due to the government's handling of the vaccine mandates, Jason defends the principle of freedom of choice for our bodies. As he navigates the financial impact on his family, Jason finds himself reverting back to the construction work he had pursued years ago.

Join us as we uncover the inspiring journey of a man determined to uphold his beliefs in the face of adversity.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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In 2021, Frances Widdowson, PhD, was a professor at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta. Her specialtywas governmental indigenous policy. At around the same time Widdowson was having “personnel issues” at Mount Royal, a pro fessor at the University of Lethbridge invited her to deliver a talk on wokeism and how it threatens academic freedom. When word got out at Lethbridge, a small group—members of the students’ association, some indigenous studies faculty, and a women and gender studies professor—began to agitate; the group grew larger and a petition was put forth and the lecture was cancelled. Soon, Widdowson was fired from Mount Royal and she sued the University of Lethbridge in defence of her right to freedom of expression which includes the right for people to hear. She is not seeking financial restitution; her goal is for the lecture to proceed. In the interview with Barry, Widdowson explains how previously, it was acceptable for her theories on indigenous policy to be posited; she reveals these theories, and she reminds us how identity politics has become totalitarian in nature.

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Why is this lawyer boycotting Canada?

After joining Dr. Bussey for a livestream discussion, law professor Bruce Cameron (Regent University) gives an in-depth interview on matters of conscience, politics, and faith. In addition to teaching at Regent University, Professor Cameron is involved with the National Right to Work Foundation. He and Dr. Bussey discuss legal cases on both sides of the border, along with current events and issues.

Why is joining a labour union a matter of conscience for some individuals? Is conscience distinct from religion, and how do courts assess a religious freedom claim? Why is granting accreditation for a religious university controversial?

With regard to government mandates, Prof. Cameron raises a strong concern over the power of government (especially unelected bureaucrats) to prevent individuals from traveling, working, or participating in family matters.

Prof. Cameron also unpacks his decision not to vacation in Canada anymore. How is this kind of response different from cancel culture? According to Prof. Cameron, it’s about making a personal moral choice that promotes the Gospel. This is not the same as demanding that the government or other institutions enforce the same viewpoint. The first approach is consistent with free will as presented in Scripture, because it allows everyone the ability to make their own decisions.

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Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

Roughshod Over Doctor’s Conscience Rights - Interview with Rebecca Vachon

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Rebecca Vachon recently wrote an op-ed on the importance of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia taking seriously the conscientious objection of doctors and Dalhousie medical students forcing physicians to make “effective referrals” for procedures that violate their consciences – like medical assistance in dying (MAID). This, Rebecca maintains will have long lasting negative consequences on healthcare in the province. Conscientious objectors in healthcare will leave the province.

Barry interviewed Rebecca on her piece and the issue that is causing concern throughout the country.   

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

Discussing topics from the trucker’s convoy to the resilience of religious faith, Peter Stockland and Barry W. Bussey reflect on the prescience of Peter’s cautionary point, in March 2020, that we must balance “temporary measures of social distancing … against long-term social conditioning.” As Peter warned, “The coronavirus has unquestionably unleashed an alarming threat to our collective physical well-being. We must start working now to prevent it mutating into a political disease that exhausts our capacity to sustain the traditional freedoms of liberal democratic society.” Given our current state of political and social divisions, it is apparent that Peter’s comments are worth considering. Referring to WWI and the concept of totalizing war, Peter suggests that we are now experiencing “totalizing crisis.” Our society becomes destabilized and therefore malleable as we move from one all-consuming crisis to the next. In the case of the pandemic, even if or when government restrictions are lifted, a residue of fear remains, which makes it difficult to rationally assess risk. It’s time to remember what freedom felt like. We also need to restore the idea of dissent as an act of loyalty that is both legitimate and necessary for the wellbeing of our country.Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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“If we go woke, that’s the end of the American republic. That’s the end of genuine Canadian and English democracy. . . . The revolutions of the Left never succeeded; they never end and their promises never happen.” – Os Guinness

In this interview, author Os Guinness shares with Barry W. Bussey his belief that the move towards cultural Marxism—begun in the 1960s—has been achieved and is the reason we now have woke business, woke military, woke government, woke justice and woke education—all at odds with freedom of religion. Os traces the modern ideologies so prevalent in Western society today back to the French Revolution which laid the foundation for the Russian and Chinese revolutions. Throughout the interview, we are provided with ideas of how to counteract the cultural revolution of woke ideology as Os draws on precepts from history, religion and philosophy.

See more Os’s work on his website:

Os Guinness

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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“We are so addicted; we are so taken over by our comforts.” – Ken Drysdale

In this final part of their discussion, Barry W. Bussey and guest Ken Drysdale, Commissioner of the National Citizens’ Inquiry, take a philosophical look at why so many Canadians bowed to the will of the government during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The NCI website contains 305 testimonies from Canadian citizens as part of the Covid-19 response. Click on Hearings: https://nationalcitizensinquiry.ca/commissioners-report/

Ken Drysdale is founder of the website and movement Manitoba Strong Together. They advocate for democracy by creating community and educating people. No merchandise is sold nor donations accepted. https://www.manitobastrongertogether.ca/

Join them at their conference in Winnipeg, June 21 – 23.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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At the beginning of the 2022-2023 school term Barry interviewed Western University student Kendra Hancock and Western alumnus Dr. Matt Strauss about Western University's insistence to on enforcing mask and vaccine mandates. Just mere kilometres away, Fanshawe College, had no such mandates. That raises serious questions about the motivation of Western's COVID-19 policy. Ms. Hancock notes, "A lot of us have had COVID and got over COVID and we are fine. We have been living normal lives, so for that to ... not only being taken away once again ... they have made it even more extreme. ... It was surprising for students ... people are frustrated because they are not being treated as adults. They aren't being treated as people who can consent by their own institution."

Dr. Strauss tells us that "science is a process, science is perspective, science is a way that we come to the physical world to try to understand more about it. There is no "the science", nobody speaks for "the science". Science is a group activity that goes across the world and it is a shared activity that everyone who is trying to understand the truth about the physical reality. Some of the things that characterise the scientific method are, publishing your methods, accepting criticism from other interested parties, and validating your result. So, if for instance, you predict that if we do this or we do that there will be this many cases of COVID-19 in two months ... and you routinely predict incorrectly and you haven't published your method so that other interested parties can double check your work I really struggle to say that what you are doing is science at all."

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

 “So many things that are actually designed for our subversion—they require a group of people to believe that it’s the moral thing to do.” – Lee Harding

Bill C-11, which amends the Broadcasting Act, received royal assent on April 27, 2023. The bill has given the CRTC authority to regulate the internet in Canada. The CRTC recently put out a diversity questionnaire to Canadian broadcasters. Freelance journalist Lee Harding and host Barry W. Bussey agree that such schemes as identifying “equity-deserving groups” will only divide Canadians, not unite them; DEI policies are in themselves discriminatory and their sole aim seems to be to solidify a cultural Marxism that aids in destroying sovereignty and strengthening corporatocracy.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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Pastor Artur Pawlowski sat down with Barry W. Bussey and shared his personal story of coming to Canada and ministering in Calgary. He candidly shares his trouble with government. His congregation lost charitable status. His ongoing court hearings and his new venture into politics.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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Tom Marazzo shares with Barry W. Bussey his thoughts on The Rouleau Report that exonerated Prime Minister Trudeau in invoking the Emergencies Act. Marazzo was one of the organizers in the Trucker Freedom Convoy.

This is part one of an extend conversation with Tom.

You can find more about Tom and his new book at: https://tommarazzo.ca/

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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“The law is always going to be involved in issues with a political dimension, but that is different from the court itself being political.” – Barry W. Bussey

In this video, Barry presents his thoughts on the politicization of the Supreme Court of Canada. There is much discussion about the recent Kruk decision wherein Justice Martin, at paragraph 109, brought into the legal vernacular “person with a vagina.” Barry points out that this development is part of an ongoing process at the SCC that is very worrying.

Barry reminds us that it was Chief Justice Richard Wagner’s condemnation of the Trucker Freedom Convoy 2022 that epitomizes the extent to which the politicization of the SCC has gone. This development is a far cry from the highwater mark during the tenure of Chief Justice Bora Laskin who maintained that judges are to abstain from politics in keeping with their impartiality and their independence.

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Free To Fly is an organisation that seeks “To unite people through one of the most cherished freedoms of modern civilization – the freedom to travel great distances safely, quickly, and in comfort.” Greg Hill, a co-founder of Free To Fly is frustrated with the airlines in Canada who recently came out with statements against the government's vaccine travel mandates. Hill points out that it is as if they were against the mandates all along.

"Where were you?" Hill asks the airlines. "Where were you the last year or two?" He understands that the airlines were compelled by government orders but "that interim order didn't demand that these ... companies sit in silence and say nothing.... That was a choice. They could have spoken up and you can theorize why they remained silent. There is money that comes from the government to the various corporations across the country....”

He continues, “But this is the problem: They got us by the pay cheque. They got us by the government handout. We have got to learn to decouple ourselves from these things and start to live as free people. We are at a crossroads as a free society and we need to decide now who we are and how we are going to live or we are going to doom our sunset years and the formative years of out children and grandchildren to a very dark authoritarian state.”

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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Author and speaker Donald Lee speaks with Barry about the movements that are afoot in our current environment that is causing a lot of confusion.  Donald has taken the time to step back and investigate the following questions:

Why does nothing make sense?

- How can there be a "climate emergency" when the climate has not changed noticeably during my lifetime?

- How can we fight a "War on Drugs" for fifty years and the drug problem gets worse?

- How can we fight a "War on Terror" for two decades yet there's more terror than ever?

- How could there be a worldwide "pandemic" when there were no excess deaths anywhere in 2020?

- Why is the answer to every problem more power and control for governments yet they never solve the problems?

- Why is it that the real power doesn't seem to be in elected governments at all? Every government in the world seems to be taking its marching orders from the World Economic Forum?

What the Hell Is Going On?

Donald’s book What the Hell Is Going On?: The Web of Fraud That Is Enslaving Everyone and How We Can Escape to Freedom (https://www.amazon.ca/What-Hell-Going-Enslaving-Everyone/dp/1990893007/) has become increasingly popular.  After hearing this two part interview of Donald you will know why. 

See Donald’s website at: https://www.cominghomespirit.com/

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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Charles Ficner, a retired federal government employee, has learned the lessons of history and what made Canada one of the most successful countries in the Western World. This is Part Two of his interview with Barry.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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Tom Marazzo spoke with Barry W. Bussey about the year just passed. "It was the longest year of my entire life," Tom told Barry. Tom assisted with the Trucker Freedom Convoy in Ottawa late January to the middle of February 2022. His involvement changed his life. Tom shares that the protest was not about the vaccine mandates per se but the government overreach in demanding everyone get the vaccine or else. It was the coercion.

Tom reminds us that the freedom movement is in danger of splitting which is what government wants. He expresses his desire for us not to lose patience as we go into 2023 and the one year anniversary of the Trucker Freedom Convoy.

You may follow Tom at:  https://tommarazzo.substack.com/

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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What does a separatist movement in the West tell us about the health of our constitution?

Should we be worried about the government bringing in a universal basic income? What happens when people lose confidence in the banking structure?

An industrial organizational economist from Alberta, Tanner Hnidey joins Barry W. Bussey to talk about the constitution, coercive power, and moral authority. Tanner is an advocate for the rule of law and objective reality as opposed to subjectivism.

As VP Economics of the Alberta Prosperity Project, Tanner points out that when we sacrifice individual rights for societal rights, we end up with neither. We need to live as free people!

You can visit Tanner’s website at https://www.tannerhnidey.com/. Learn more about the Alberta Prosperity Project at https://albertaprosperityproject.com/

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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This is part two of a three-part conversation Barry had with Dr. Ventureyra.

Scott Ventureyra completed his Ph.D. in philosophical theology at Carleton University/Dominican University College in Ottawa. He has published in academic journals such as Science et Esprit, The American Journal of Biblical Theology, and has also written for magazines such as Crisis Magazine and Convivium and newspapers such as The National Post, City Light News, The Ottawa Citizen and The Times Colonist. He is the author/editor of COVID-19: A Dystopian Delusion: Examining the Machinations of Governments, Health Organizations, the Globalist Elites, Big Pharma, Big Tech, and the Legacy Media. His website is: www.scottventureyra.com.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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Law Professor Bruce Pardy, the executive director of Rights Probe (https://www.rightsprobe.org/), continues his interview with Barry sharing his thoughts on the Rouleau Report. This is part two of a two part interview.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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The evidence given at the Public Order Emergency Commission hearings by the police makes it very clear that there was no need for more powers to deal with the Trucker Freedom Convoy. Politicians have no business telling the police what they are to do yet that is what happened in Ottawa during the Trucker Freedom Convoy.

Barry’s guest, Donald Best, a former Toronto Police investigator, holds nothing back in his strident assessment of the failure of the politicians to stay out of the way and let the police do the work that they were required to do.

Police are required to respect each citizen’s Charter rights even if they are denied by the politicians. Mr. Best fears that the politicization of the police creates a dangerous situation going forward for the law-abiding citizen.

Not all the police were on board with the use of the Emergencies Act but some gave inside information to “the other side”. If Best were in charge, he said he would have those police officers arrested! If they were opposed to the government orders, then they should have kept quiet and not showed up to work.

On the other hand, the overreach of the police during the Convoy undermined the public support of law enforcement. “It almost seemed that the police forgot about the rule of law, forgot about Peel’s principles of policing, and the law itself and they did whatever the elected officials told them to and that is a prescription for totalitarianism. It’s terrible! And, we saw that.”

The independence we give our police to do their jobs is one of the reasons why our police are not corrupt as police forces are in other countries who take orders from the politicians. We are not to allow the politicians to direct the police. “[Politicians in this country] only mouth that they don’t but they always try all the time.”

This is one of our more exciting and informative interviews. You do not want to miss this one!

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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Join Barry W. Bussey on First Freedoms Livestream as he interviews James Topp about his march across Canada. Marching from the Terry Fox Statue in Vancouver to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Ottawa, Mr. Topp wants to bring attention to the struggle that many Canadians face for their conscientious position on the vaccination status. Thousands of Canadians lost their employment or were coerced into a medical procedure they would not otherwise take. Topp is doing his part to say it is not right. Join us in support of one man's mission to remind Canadians to get along with each other in a spirit of peace.

Listen to these students share their stories of what happened to them for saying no to the vaccine mandate in their respective schools of higher education.

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Can a thirteenth century document “written in Latin on the hide of a sheep” mean anything to us today?

Dr. John Robson (historian, columnist, documentary filmmaker, Executive Director of Climate Discussion Nexus, and professor at Augustine College) gives a vivid account of the people and principles that produced the Magna Carta, and explains how that heritage is still relevant and worth recognising.

Our freedoms were not created in 1982 with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. They are rooted in a long tradition that grew out of a religious respect for human dignity. Dr. Robson traces this fascinating history, from King Alfred famously burning the cakes to Canadian Joseph Howe proclaiming the “sacred fire of liberty” before a jury in 1835.
Dr. Robson also takes us back to fundamentals, reminding us that disagreements often reflect deeper assumptions about human nature, morality, and truth.

You can watch Dr. Robson’s 2015 documentary, “Magna Carta: Our Shared Legacy of Liberty,” on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HA-21-JuPkg, or order a DVD copy here: https://thejohnrobson.com/store/magna-carta-dvd.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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A group of Canadian young people have decided to speak out about “woke culture.” What motivates them? Are they hateful young people or are they just exercising their freedom of speech?

Barry sat down with Nick Alexander and Monty Walker who are part of Save Canada and asked why they, as young people, are so passionate about freedom of speech. In the end you will hear firsthand that these two young men know what they stand for and are encouraging other young people to take a stand for all Canadians.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

Have our lawmakers stopped reading the law?

This is a question posed by retired RCMP member Clay Farnsworth in our latest Freedom Feature conversation, recorded on February 28. Mr. Farnsworth explains what the organization, Police on Guard for Thee, is doing to defend freedom in Canada.

Mr. Farnsworth draws from his personal experiences as he discusses the responsibility of law enforcement to uphold the Constitution. He reminds us that standing up for what is right takes critical thinking and courage!

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Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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This is part two of a two-part interview with law professor Bruce Pardy, who is the executive director of Rights Probe - www.rightsprobe.org.  Prof. Pardy shares with Barry the distinctions between the two slates of Bencher Candidates for the Law Society of Ontario.

The Bencher Election campaign for the Law Society of Ontario (LSO)  is now under way and it is a doozy!  The stakes could not be higher for the over 55,000 Ontario lawyers.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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What is the link between finances and freedom?

If you have concerns about inflation or government overreach or weathering the next crisis, then you need to watch this gripping interview with David McAlvany, CEO of McAlvany Financial Companies and author of The Intentional Legacy. David has appeared as a guest or panelist on CNBC, Bloomberg, Fox and other media outlets. He also hosts his own weekly podcast.

Together, he and Dr. Bussey discuss digital currencies, universal basic income, and the soul-defining importance of finding one’s purpose. Their conversation brings together the philosophical and the highly practical in a lively, informative, and thought-provoking way.

Why was it illegal to own gold in the US from 1933 to 1975? Who benefits most from low interest rates? What happens when we allow the PhD standard to replace the gold standard when it comes to our banking system?

To learn more, check out the McAlvany Weekly Commentary (unique, intelligent, thought-provoking weekly summary of the markets, geopolitics and US domestic issues) or the McAlvany Wealth Management (planning retirement, inheritance, asset management etc.). For some options for Canadian savers/investors to lessen the bite of inflation, go to McAlvany ICA. Canadians can also check out vaulted.com, which allows people to purchase gold which is then kept at the Royal Canadian Mint, and can be “cashed” out at any time.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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Why is this man being denied access to his wife after 62 years of marriage?

Listen as 90 year old Alex Sparenberg and his daughter, Kim, share their situation and what it reveals about the current state of freedom in Canada.

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Jennifer Kabbany is editor of the College Fix, a daily news website focused on higher education. In this Freedom Feature interview, Jennifer and Barry discuss the left-leaning bias in academia, and the importance of proactive parenting to enable our young people to discern the truth.

When news headlines are more outrageous than satire, do we have reason to be optimistic about the future?

Ms. Kabbany offer three suggestions to restore critical thinking and objectivity in higher education: promoting the Socratic method, to allow ideas to be openly and freely debated; protecting the STEM fields from critical race theory by focusing on the quality of scientific research rather than racial quotas; and finally, studying the great literary and philosophical works of the past, regardless of the author’s skin colour.

Visit www.collegefix.com to see the latest coverage on current events.

To learn more about the alternative education offered by UATX, including a “Forbidden Courses Summer Program,” check out https://www.uaustin.org.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

Nathan's Reading List

The Pure Society: From Darwin to Hitler by Andre Pichot (History, 2009) 

Charles Darwin: Victorian Mythmaker by A.N. Wilson (Historical Biography, 2017) 

Imperial Hygiene: A Critical History of Colonialism, Nationalism and Public Health by Alison Bashford (History/Geopolitics, 2003) 

Biofascism: The Tech-Pharma Complex and the End of Democracy by T.J. Coles (Political Theory, 2022) 

The Palliative Society by Byung-Chul Han (Cultural Theory, 2021) 

"Schwab Family Values" by Johnny Vedmore (Investigative Reporting, https://johnnyvedmore.com/2021/02/20/featured-content-2/)  

"Cause Unknown": The Epidemic of Sudden Deaths in 2021 & 2022 by Ed Dowd (Report, 2022) 

A State of Fear: How the UK Government Weaponised Fear During the Covid-19 Pandemic by Laura Dodsworth (Psychology/Politics, 2021) 

TransEvolution: The Coming Age of Human Deconstruction by Daniel Estulin (Human Engineering/Geopolitics, 2014) 

Tavistock Institute: Social Engineering the Masses by Daniel Estulin (Social Engineering/Psychological Warfare/Geopolitics, 2015) 

"Exploring Biodigital Convergence" (Government of Canada, 2021) 

MindWar by Lt. Colonel, Psychological Operations (US Army) (Psychological Warfare, 2013/2016)

The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind by Gustave Le Bon (Social Psychology, 1895) 

The Psychology of Totalitarianism by Mattias Desmet (Psychology, 2021) 

The Real Anthony Fauci: Bill Gates, Big Pharma, and the Global War on Democracy and Public Health by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (2021) 

"Syllogistic Reasoning Demystifies Evidence of COVID-19 Vaccine Constituents" by Broudy & Kyrie (https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e99f/7cdb38af66c4271146311c4102d563164038.pdf, 2021)

"Critique of the Necropolitical Economy of the Internet of Things: Brains, Biohacking, and Social Apartheid" by Nathan M. Wiley (https://aircconline.com/ijcses/V13N3/13322ijcses01.pdf, 2022) 

When the House Burns Down by Giorgio Agamben (Philosophy/Literature, 2021) 

The Christian Gospel for Americans: A Systematic Theory by David Ray Griffin (Theology, 2019) 

The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity by Philip Jenkins (Religion, 2011)

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“This is not the first rodeo for the cosmic powers that be.” – Lee Harding, Freelance Journalist

Many of us recognize a continual loss of our freedoms, yet many might be unaware that the current agenda for a world state led by oligarchs is not something new. Freelance journalist Lee Harding tells host Barry W. Bussey about two eye-opening books that reveal a history of elite rule. One is “The Fruits of Graft: Great Depressions Then and Now” (2010) by Wayne Jett exposing corruption in world finance. The other book is “Anticipations” by H.G. Wells published in 1902. Wells supposedly theorizes future events such as the entry of China into the field of European politics and that the New Republic will control wealth—everyone’s wealth, not just the rich. Harding suggests that Wells wrote this book on behalf of a ruling elite at the time.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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Barry caught up with former livestream guest, veteran James Topp. Having completed his march from Vancouver to Ottawa, James explains what motivated his trek across Canada, what he learned, and what his vision for the future is.

The purpose of James’ march was to advocate for a plan he describes as the “3R equation.” He is calling on the government to repeal mandates, reinstate workers, and give restitution for wages lost. He believes this is the way to repair our society after the damages done by government mandates. As he explains, people need to see our leaders acknowledge that they were wrong and do something to fix it.

James emphasizes the importance of remaining peaceful despite the sense of anger that many Canadians feel towards the government.

He also reflects with gratitude on the volunteers who have rallied around to support him with generosity and enthusiasm.

Over the past four months, James’ journey has brought together people from across the country, giving a voice to many who felt isolated, discouraged, and unheard. He remains hopeful for a dawning of common sense, responsibility, and courage.

Find out more about Jame here: Canada Marches

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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At what point do you stand up?

Prof. David Haskell describes a university assignment he presented to students, which resulted in several students dropping his course with the encouragement of the dean. What was so “offensive” and what does this controversy reveal about our culture? Watch the latest “Freedom Feature” to find out.

Professor David Haskell (Wilfrid Laurier University) shares his research on media bias, religion, and cultural trends. Using a sociological lens, he has studied the portrayal of conservatives in the wider culture. He notes that the media and the academy are disproportionately left-leaning compared to the rest of the society.

He cites Eric Haufmann (University of London), who found that only 6% of academics identify as conservative. The result is systemic discrimination against conservatives.

Data is being demonized and empirical evidence is becoming harder to find as universities reject the ideas of the Enlightenment. Instead of critical thinking, critical theory (a type of cultural Marxism) has become dominant.

Prof. Haskell and Dr. Bussey discuss pandemic mandates, the academy’s reluctance to accommodate religious students, and the efforts of the left to define what is credible.

Order a copy of Prof. Haskell’s book, Through a Lens Darkly, here: https://www.amazon.ca/Through-Lens-Darkly-Media-Perceive/dp/1894667921

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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On May 25, 2023, Greg Hill and his Free To Fly team held a Meet & Greet in Mississauga, Ontario.  People travelled from as far as British Columbia in Canada and from Texas in the USA.  Some 125 + individuals felt it necessary to come and meet others who were concern about the governments restrictions on mobility during the pandemic. 

Barry had a chance to ask Greg why he thought these kinds of meetings are important.

You may follow the work of Free To Fly at:  https://freetofly.ca

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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Tom Marazzo shares with Barry W. Bussey his thoughts on The Rouleau Report that exonerated Prime Minister Trudeau in invoking the Emergencies Act. Marazzo was one of the organizers in the Trucker Freedom Convoy.

This is part one of an extend conversation with Tom.

You can find more about Tom and his new book at: https://tommarazzo.ca/

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

In response to media reports, Freedom Feature guests Davina Peters and Nadine Ness offer their personal accounts of the situation in Ottawa. Their impressions differ drastically from the narrative given in the mainstream media or by certain politicians.

Nadine cautions against “underestimating the Canadian people and their thirst for freedom” and expresses her hope for change. To see more from Unified Grassroots, visit www.unifiedgrassroots.com or join their Facebook group.

Lawyer and Ottawa resident Don Hutchinson (donhutchinson.ca) returns to Freedom Feature to discuss his perspective, including the federal government’s responsibility to address the crisis. This includes articulating a clear pathway towards lifting mandates, as recommended by Canada’s chief public health officer Dr. Tam. He makes a personal appeal for the Prime Minister to begin negotiations to end the blockade so that Ottawa and the country can get back to normal.

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The Province of British Columbia, Canada is soon to pass a new law that will require healthcare professional boards, to have regulations for their respective healthcare professionals on mandatory vaccine requirements. This new law represents a seismic shift in how healthcare professionals will be treated by their regulators. Health professionals must submit, if required by their boards, to receive medical treatment even if it violates their conscience. Bill-36 Health Professions and Occupations Act is soon to be law.

Barry’s guests are Bob Yeager, who practices employment law in British Columbia (https://yeageremploymentlaw.com/); and, Dr. Taylor Bean, ND who is a naturopathic physician and an advocate for vaccine choice nor coercion. Both lawyer Yeager and Dr. Bean hold the view that the net effect of this legislation will mean that a sizeable number of health professionals will leave BC. If that happens it will have a devastating effect on healthcare in the province.

Health professionals, from other parts of the country, contacted First Freedoms to say they are concerned that this type of legislation may well come to their provinces. We will see. In the meantime, listen in to this conversation about the concerns that our guests have about this new legislation.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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Should Dundas Street in Toronto be renamed? What does the furor over Henry Dundas (and other figures like Edgerton Ryerson) reveal about our cultural moment?

Freedom Feature guest Patrice Dutil, Professor of Politics and Public Administration at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) discusses the present mania for rejecting our past. In the example of “L’Affaire Dundas,” he unpacks the PR campaign that has falsely branded Henry Dundas as an imperialist criminal who wanted to prolong the slave trade.

The historical record gives a very different picture. Far from being endorsing slavery, Lord Dundas championed abolition consistently, strategically, and successfully. According to Prof. Dutil, Dundas’ legacy should be celebrated, not erased from history.

Taken in the context of a wider movement to rename institutions and tear down statues, the Dundas controversy shows an underlying disdain for our national roots and traditions. Although men like Dundas, Simcoe, Edgerton, and Langevin were all flawed individuals, they made significant contributions to Canada. We need to appreciate their achievements – as well as their mistakes – in order to know who we are today.

Indeed, like a doctor who needs to be aware of a patient’s history to provide the best treatment or care, we need to understand our history if we want to function as a healthy society.

Read Prof. Dutil’s article here: “L’Affaire Dundas in Toronto: Falling for a Hoax” https://www.dorchesterreview.ca/blogs/news/dundas-hoax

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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The 2024 Garden Party was our biggest yet. Some 80 people from around Ontario came into the country for great music from the Duketow family, a talk by Tom Marazzo and fellowship. Much was gained from spending several hours together as we shared our experiences of working together to maintain our first freedoms in Canada.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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Law Professor Bruce Pardy is Barry's guest along with a special appearance of Law Professor Dr. Iain T. Benson as they discuss the implications of 2022 on freedom and what we have to be concerned about in 2023. Unfortunately, Professor Benson's connection was cut off during the discussion but we kept his contribution.

Professor Pardy says that the Trucker Freedom Convoy 2022 was a heartfelt response to being under the thumb of the chattering classes who were insisted upon policies and laws that told people what to do. That is not a new thing but, on this occasion, finally ordinary people were pushed too far, and they said, “No, we are not doing this.” As Professor Pardy noted it made an impact. It was visible. It was public. Everybody saw it and a lot of people finally understood they were not alone in what they were thinking about vaccine mandates and Covid rules and the like. It was a threat to the established order because for the first time in a long time this was an articulate opposition from a group of the people to the agenda that the elites were pushing. That hasn’t happened in Canada for a long time.

We are in a new era where government ministers no longer step down for unethical behaviour. Tension between moral and obligatory approach to public governance and raw use of power. Professors Benson and Pardy engage in a conversation about the role of Prime Minister Trudeau and his ability to continue to be successful electorally. Trudeau, the man, is not the problem, but he is a symptom of the problem. The problem is we have a belief in the state. The idea that the state’s role is to make policy for the public good without anyone allowed to question its choices. If you question that it makes you look like a “cuckoo”. When we consider the problems, we currently face in our society, it is precisely because this idea was rolled out and no one was allowed to question it.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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Mark Mercer is a dedicated member of the Society of Academic Freedom and Scholarship (SAFS), an organization with a 31-year history of advocating for academic freedom. Having served as SAFS president for 8 years, Mark's commitment to the organization is unwavering, and he envisions being a part of it for the rest of his life. With around 350 members, primarily academics in Canada, SAFS actively defends academic freedom and standards by writing letters to universities when they perceive violations or threats. Their documentation is made available online to foster transparency and open dialogue.

Mark holds a critical view of the current state of society, recognizing that professors and students are often afraid to express their opinions due to potential backlash. He believes there are points of friction within universities, where rules are increasingly influenced by emotions rather than facts. Despite this, he emphasizes the importance of respecting moral autonomy and engaging in conversations, even when beliefs differ.

Universities should prioritize creating spaces where individuals can freely express their beliefs and receive constructive critique. Mark sees this as a matter of respect. He firmly believes that a person's views, theories, or ideas should not hinder their eligibility for administrative roles. Instead, qualifications and abilities should determine suitability.

Acknowledging the value of criticism, Mark advocates for upholding high academic standards to ensure students receive the best education possible. 

To improve, Mark stresses the need to articulate what an academic university truly represents. He believes in individuals' ability and desire to think for themselves, rather than being bound by group affiliations. His vision involves creating a culture of disputation, where ideas are shared, stored, and learned from, rather than fostering confrontations and competition between students. This approach aims to prevent ideas from being isolated and looked down upon, fostering inclusivity and intellectual growth.

Join us and listen to what Mark has to share.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

Check out Mark's Website, His LinkedIn, and the SAFS website below!

Mark's Website: https://professormarkmercer.ca/ 

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/mark-mercer-84a81813 

SAFS Website: https://safs.ca/   

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On May 4, Barry W. Bussey was joined by Professor Bruce N. Cameron, J.D., the Reed Larson Professor of Labor Law at Regent University, for a livestream interview. The two lawyers discussed the implications of the leaked draft of Justice Alito’s majority decision in the Dobbs case before the US Supreme Court.

The overturning of Roe v. Wade is expected to face a lot of opposition.

How important is confidentiality in the Supreme Court? Has this ever happened before? What are the implications of this development? What does it mean for the Court going forward? These and other questions were addressed by Professor Cameron.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

In this Freedom Feature conversation, law professor Bruce Pardy, Executive Director of Rights Probe, comments on the underlying ideas that were made apparent in the loss of freedoms during the pandemic. Bruce and Barry discuss a range of issues from self-censorship and conformity to the legacy of the Charter.

Will we emerge from the present crisis having learned anything about the dangers of a managerial state in which experts regulate our lives for the collective good? Or will we stand for individual freedom?

As Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn declared:
“Let the lie come into the world, let it even triumph, but not through me.”

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

This is part one of a two part interview with lawyer, Lisa Bildy, about the recent Law Society of Ontario board elections. The board members are known as "benchers". There are some 53 benchers at the LSO.  8 are known as the "Lay Benchers"; 20 elected from Toronto lawyers; 20 elected among lawyers outside of Toronto; and 5 elected from paralegals across Ontario. 

In 2019, the STOP SOP (http://stopsop.ca/) slate of benchers, whose campaign was headed up by Lisa, won 22 of the bencher seats - they were committed to ensuring that the law society stuck to its core mandate of ensuring legal professionals were competent rather than governing on "woke" ideology.  It caused an upset - even they were not the majority they were instrumental in getting rid of the LSO's Statement of Principles requirement. 

This time, in 2023, under the banner of  FULL STOP (https://fullstoplso.ca/)  candidates lost to The Good Governance Coalition (https://www.goodgovernancecoalition.ca/) 45 seats to 0!

However, since the election two of the 45 were given government appointments and one was elected as "Treasurer" of the Law Society - which opened three seats.  That meant that 3 of the FULL STOP slate are now benchers as they had the next highest votes in the bencher election.

Barry spoke with Lisa on this and the campaign she ran and what comes next.

Join us and listen in to what Lisa has to share.

This the part one of a two-part interview.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

Why does the rule of law matter? And how do we come together in the face of differences?

In the latest Freedom Feature, recorded earlier in February, Barry discusses the rule of law with Dr. Brian Lee Crowley, Managing Director of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute in Ottawa. The two consider what happens if a government decides to pick and choose which laws apply depending on its own ideology. They also share concerns about academia, revisionist history, and the influence of certain “progressive” ideas that tend to undermine rather than strengthen our society.

Dr. Crowley shares some powerful imagery from his latest book Gardeners vs Designers: Understanding the Great Fault Line in Canadian Politics (Sutherland House, 2020), in which he argues that society is less like a machine that can be tinkered with and more like a garden that needs to be tended.

Dr. Crowley is also the author of Fearful Symmetry: the Fall and Rise of Canada’s Founding Values (2009).

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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John Carpay the President of the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms talks about key cases that JCCF is involved with protecting Canadians against the overreach of government. John presents common sense insights of evaluating our current situation.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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Dr. Emanuel Baston practised medicine in Romania and came to Canada about 20 years ago. Unable to obtain a residency in Ontario he is now laying tiles in the construction industry. His strong work ethic has meant that he and his family are successfully making their way in their new country.

However, when the federal and provincial governments in Canada implemented the harsh COVID-19 regulations he was faced with the reality that Canada took on characteristics of the communist Romania that he grew up in but it was worse. Nobody believed what the communist Romanian government said but in Canada the default is to believe what the government says.

Dr. Baston recognised that as a population Canadians were known as nice people but during the COVID 19 experience it was way different. "You wish that your neighbour would lose their home, lose their job? Where is the empathy? Where are you as a person? That's not the future I want for my kids."

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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Jojo Ruba joins Barry in a conversation about the state of religious freedom in Canada. Jojo gives several examples of people who are facing persecution for their faith in Canada. These people will be sharing their stories adversity at the Religious Freedom Summit that will be held in Ottawa, February 4, 2023. Information on this event is found at https://www.freedomsummit.ca/

Canadians are being kicked out of their rental facilities, suspended from school or even forced to leave their jobs because they hold unpopular opinions. How is that possible in Canada in 2023?

You will be surprised in what Jojo shares with Barry.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

Dr. Ryan Alford, Professor at the Bora Laskin School of Law, Lakehead University, joins Dr. Bussey for a remarkable Freedom Feature discussion, recorded on February 23.

Author of Seven Absolute Rights: Recovering the Historical Foundations of Canada’s Rule of Law (McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2020), Prof. Alford explains that there are certain principles of law which precede the state and cannot be violated, even (or especially) in times of crisis.

Touching on topics from gnosis to hate speech to Davos to James I of England to the Nuremberg Trials to the influence of the CBC, Prof. Alford reminds us that we have to understand our history in order to maintain our constitutional rights.

This context provides a fertile field of ideas for their discussion on the recent Canadian crisis that saw Prime Minister Trudeau invoke the Emergencies Act to deal with the Trucker Convoy protest. As Prof. Alford and Dr. Bussey observe, when a utopian ideology provides the framework for the ruling class (without an appreciation for the past), this can lead to an abuse of power. Not wanting to miss the opportunity a crisis gives to gain more power, utopian leaders such as Mr. Trudeau capitalize on the moment. Trudeau’s use of the Emergencies Act is a wakeup call to utopian danger.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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This is part two of a two-part interview with Michael Alexander, a highly respected Constitutional Lawyer who is at the forefront of the fight for freedom of expression.

In recent developments, the government's enforcement of strict vaccine regulations has stirred controversy and raised concerns over individual freedoms. Doctors find themselves restrained from issuing medical exemptions, despite the vaccine being presented as a recommendation rather than a mandatory requirement. 

Colleges, treating these guidelines as binding, further amplify the issue by imposing penalties on non-compliant physicians. Dr. Trozzi, is facing prosecution that questions his freedom of expression and his decision to diverge from the given recommendation. The very essence of personal autonomy is under scrutiny, as each person should possess the ultimate authority to decide what is best for their own body.

Furthermore, this enforcement is not isolated to a single province but has spread throughout the entire medical community, showcasing a nationwide pattern of restricting individual choices. By regulating medical care, the government has compromised one of the most fundamental freedoms that individuals hold dear. The right to make informed decisions regarding one's health and bodily autonomy should be respected, and the current situation represents a violation of these core principles.

Join us and listen to what Michael has to share.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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Tom Marazzo has been a constant presence at the Public Order Emergency Commission hearings held in Ottawa since they began on October 13.  He gave testimony of his experience in the Trucker Freedom Convoy as the logistics person who helped get food and supplies organised while the Convoy was in Ottawa.

Looking over the current political landscape Marazzo reminds us that we are not through the possibility of more restrictions coming our way.  "The opposition to freedom right now still has a vote," Marazzo says, "and they very much want to continue to find a way to fulfill their original agenda.  When this all started we thought that the lawyers were going to do their thing and stop this right in its tracks.  And they didn't.  When the vaccines came out we thought the doctors would step up and they didn't expect for a small few.   And it took the truckers to get the attention of the government.  What was the result?  The government came down with a bazooka."

You will not want to miss this interview as Marazzo gives his opinion of what has been revealed at the Commission hearings and why it is so very important going forward.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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What happens when you start a conversation to talk about objective truth but end up digging deep into the issue of transhumanism?  Find out as you listen to Barry’s latest guest Scott Ventureyra.  It is a fascinating discussionas the conversation goes into the origins of transhumanism.  This is part one of a three-part conversation Barry had with Dr. Ventureyra.

Scott Ventureyra completed his Ph.D. in philosophical theology at Carleton University/Dominican University College in Ottawa. He has published in academic journals such as Science et Esprit, The American Journal of Biblical Theology, and has also written for magazines such as Crisis Magazine and Convivium and newspapers such as The National Post, City Light News, The Ottawa Citizen and The Times Colonist. He is the author/editor of COVID-19: A Dystopian Delusion: Examining the Machinations of Governments, Health Organizations, the Globalist Elites, Big Pharma, Big Tech, and the Legacy Media.

His website is: www.scottventureyra.com.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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Toronto lawyer and frequent contributor on Twitter (X.com) Daniel Freiheit shares with Barry the recent projects that he is involved in – including some wins for clients dealing with the ArriveCan charges, his comments of what is developing in British Columbia, his dealing with a multitude of issues that just keep coming day after day.

His message: take time off to recoup, recharge, keep in formed and do not accept the narrative – find out what is happening out there and make positive changes.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

Find out more about Daniel Freiheit at: https://x.com/LionAdvocacy

Be sure to get a copy of Barry W. Bussey’s book:
210 Celsius: 16 Ways The Truckers Ignited Canada For The Long Haul – https://www.amazon.ca/210%C2%B0-Celsius-Truckers-Ignited-Canada/dp/103918474X

What does our attitude towards conscientious objectors reveal about our society? And what role do politicians have in promoting (or eroding) civil society?

For a lively reflection on freedom, faith and family in Canada, watch my discussion with politician and Leader of the Ontario Party, Derek Sloan.

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Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

You are important! That’s why we have the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, according to the Hon. Mr Brian Peckford: because every individual is unique, with a special place in this country. It’s from that spirit of warmth and respect for every person that Mr. Peckford speaks with such incredible passion, conviction and integrity!

As a former premier of Newfoundland, Mr. Peckford is the last surviving author and signatory of the Charter. Last month, he announced he is suing the government for violating the Charter that he helped craft. Yesterday, he spoke with Barry about current events.

Mr. Peckford reminds us that the Charter begins with the statement, “Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law.” Everything else flows from that foundation. We need to restore our respect for the constitutional text as written, along with those basic principles that include the worth and dignity of every Canadian.

Watch, like, and share this interview as widely as you can. Everyone should hear this inspirational and timely conversation!

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Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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“If your citizenry can’t rely on getting a fair and even judgement in a court regardless of their standing in society . . . then you’ve left them with the choice of being violent . . . .” – Ken Drysdale

In this video (part 1 of 3), Barry W. Bussey talks with Ken Drysdale who was Chair of Commissioners during the National Citizens’ Inquiry which took place in eight cities across Canada from March to May 2023. The NCI was a citizen-led inquiry into Canada’s COVID-19 response. They took testimonies from 305 witnesses. Topics in the video touch on informed consent, coercion, the failure of our institutions and government misinformation. Ken challenges all viewers to go to the NCI website and pick three testimonies and watch them and he guarantees that they will change your life. Download the full report or listen to citizen testimonies: https://nationalcitizensinquiry.ca/

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

The 2024 Diefenbaker Lecturer is Dr. Julie Ponesse. Barry sits down for a few minutes with Dr. Julie Ponesse to discuss some of the themes that she will be presenting for the 2024 Diefenbaker Lecture.

First Freedoms Foundation is co-hosting the 2024 Diefenbaker Lecture with Augustine College in Ottawa on November 11, 2024, at the St. Peter’s/St. Paul’s Anglican Church.

Tickets are now available for you to purchase at: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/2024-diefenbaker-lecture-by-dr-julie-ponesse-tickets-1042325663117

A reception will be held immediately following the presentation where the audience will be able to meet with Dr. Ponesse and purchase her books.

What happens if we really “follow the science”? Does the research support or contradict the pandemic measures that our governments have put in place?

Dr. Joseph Hickey of the Ontario Civil Liberties Association explains that the government knew – or should have known – that it was unscientific to implement lockdowns, universal masking, and vaccine mandates, yet went ahead and did it anyway!

In fact, a recently released email reveals that the Quebec government imposed its curfew restrictions despite medical and ethical advice to the contrary. As Dr. Hickey explains, this is true of all the draconian measures taken by the federal and provincial governments during the pandemic.

As we emerge from the pandemic, we need to hold our politicians to account by demanding transparency. The biggest contribution to truth comes from individuals who take responsibility for their lives and personal decisions!

Dr. Hickey’s conversation with Dr. Bussey is a reminder of the importance of freedom of expression to allow for scientific research and discovery. As Dr. Hickey says, “in order for individuals to have influence, they need to be able to freely express their views … including views that are extremely critical of power figures, authority figures, [or] ideologies. So we have to allow a huge diversity of views.”

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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Donald Best, a former Toronto Police detective, shares with Barry about his experience of being put into jail for contempt of court because three lawyers gave false evidence about him. He also explains the case against Ottawa Police detective Helen Grus who is facing disciplinary action for investigating multiple sudden deaths. Her investigation led her to ask questions about the vaccination status of the mothers. It would appear that such questioning was off limits. You will want to hear what the implications of this case might lead to.

To read more about Donald Best go to: https://www.DonaldBest.ca

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation. 

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Constitutional lawyer Samuel Bachand chats with Barry some of his recent constitutional cases he is working on.

Mr. Bachand is the Justice Centre For Constitutional Freedom’s Director of French Canada. 

Samuel is a frequent speaker on current issues affecting fundamental freedoms: proposed legislation, court cases, government programmes and decisions. He is passionate about expressive and political freedoms, and believes that modern forms of censorship are clear signs of the – reversible – decline of Western civilization.  

Samuel spent the first years of his career at Woods LLP, the foremost litigation boutique in Montreal and, prior to joining CJLC, worked at Prévost Fortin D'Aoust with one of Canada's leading constitutional litigators. He has been a member of the Quebec Bar since 2011 and the Law Society of Ontario since 2012. He is a law graduate from Osgoode Hall Law School and from Université de Montréal where he taught from 2012 to 2020 as a law lecturer. 

Nota bene : the Justice Centre operates in French under the name CJLC – Centre juridique pour les libertés constitutionnelles (see the French-language webpage at www.cjlc.ca). The CJLC is not a separate entity from the Justice Centre.  

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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This is part two of a two-part interview with Jason Kurz, a resilient individual who fearlessly stands up for his beliefs. 

Even with having lost his job at Ontario Power Generation, Jason is unwavering in his decision not to take the vaccine, citing the rushed process and his firm belief in God's intelligent design and the resilience of our bodies.

Passionate about individual freedom and respecting personal choices, Jason is deeply involved in various unions, recognizing the strength that comes in numbers. When his union hesitated to support him, he took matters into his own hands, submitting eight grievances and appealing to the grievance committee review board.

Unyielding in his pursuit of justice, Jason declined financial offers and filed a failure to represent the claim. Consequently, he finds himself banned from his previous workplace's sites and properties. However, he remains perseverant, believing that in future times like this pandemic, more people will begin to question authority and seek answers.

To Jason, freedom is a sacred and individual right, and he encourages others to reflect on who holds authority over their bodies. With deep appreciation, he stands in solidarity with everyone fighting for the freedom movement, demonstrating the power of determination and unwavering conviction.

Join Jason Kurz on his inspiring journey as he champions individual freedom and challenges the status quo in a world craving truth and liberty. His story is a testament to the strength of character and the pursuit of truth in the face of adversity.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

Check out Jason’s Tik Tok link below:

https://www.tiktok.com/@forkandtorchsociety?_t=8e5vgKL9M4j&_r=1

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Andre Schutten, of ARPA Canada https://arpacanada.ca/ shares with Barry why we ought to be concerned about the government’s Bill C-11 that is now making its way through the House of Commons as the government has forced closure on debate.

Canadians must be aware of what is coming to the regulation of the internet. Do we really want the government to tell us what "narrative” is appropriate?

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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Justice Ivan Rand, in a 1953 Supreme Court of Canada case involving religious freedom in Quebec, described “freedom of speech, religion and the inviolability of the person” as “original freedoms which are at once the necessary attributes and modes of self-expression of human beings and the primary conditions of their community life within a legal order.” We refer to these “original freedoms” as “first freedoms” (with the view that freedom of religion is a subset of freedom of conscience).

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Law Professor Bruce Pardy, the executive director of Rights Probe (https://www.rightsprobe.org/), shares with Barry his thoughts on the Rouleau Report. This is part one of a two part interview.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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Is freedom a bad word?

Freedom Feature guest Maxime Bernier, leader of the People’s Party of Canada, describes what it was like being imprisoned for holding a political rally; why the trucker protests were so important and effective; and what it means to be a free Canadian. He addresses questions like vote splitting, lockdowns, censorship, and the difference between politics by polling versus leadership by conviction.
As with other political guests, this interview is not an endorsement of Mr. Bernier or the PPC, but an opportunity to have open discussion and debate on issues that affect Canadians.

You can read more about the PPC’s party platform on their website, https://www.peoplespartyofcanada.ca/. You can also visit www.jccf.ca to learn more about the legal cases being handled by the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedom.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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Montreal journalist Noé Chartier describes what motivates him in his work as a reporter. Through his conversation with Barry W. Bussey, he demonstrates his balanced approach as he thoughtfully considers multiples sides to different issues.

Listen in as Mr. Chartier discusses recent topics he has covered for the Epoch Times, including federal travel mandates, government censorship, and recent French language legislation in Quebec.

Mr. Chartier raises some important questions. For instance, he notes that the government is right to say that there is a lot of nastiness online. Is increased regulation the best way to address harm, or will that drive extremist activity underground, where it becomes harder to monitor?

What about the use of the Emergencies Act? The government has stated that the Act was invoked in response to requests from law enforcement. Given that the various police chiefs involved have all testified that they did not advise or ask for the Act to be invoked, which agency made the request?

Regarding censorship, Mr. Chartier also points out that Bill C-11 contains a provision allowing the government to regulate user-generated content on the internet; despite concerns raised, the government has been unwilling to remove this clause. The bill also makes specific reference to serving the “needs and interests of… racialized communities” and Canadians of diverse “sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions,” leading some to speculate that individuals may face censorship if their views diverge from the government ideology on identity politics.

Check out www.epochtimes.com for more articles and observations from Mr. Chartier.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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What are the challenges or pressures faced by Canadian families who choose to homeschool their children? Why might parents choose to teach their children at home, and what are the benefits or concerns? Listen as Peter Stock discusses his work with the Home School Legal Defence Association of Canada. 

As fellow (former) homeschooling parents, Barry and Peter share their personal experiences, along with commentary on the legal and administrative context that can pose difficulties for families. For instance, Peter explains how the Supreme Court decision in Loyola (2015) affirmed the right to home education in Quebec. Watch the full conversation to learn how the Quebec government is still trying to limit parental choice since that decision. 

Learn more about homeschooling at homeschool.today, or visit hslda.ca for more information.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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Paige Thombs is a PhD student in the Faculty of Law at the University of Victoria.  She is also an Osgoode Hall Visiting Scholar in Toronto. Paige is Barry’s guest on this installment of Freedom Feature. Her research looks at how religious identity shapes legal practice.

Paige describes herself as “very left-leaning and openly gay” and one who “very much believes in religious freedom”. She does not see her “rights as a gay person being in conflict with” a Christian’s rights. She asks, “is there no space where these two sets of rights can exist in tandem?”

She is interested in the intersection of religion and law over the last 50 years. As a non-lawyer she sees that the legal profession, especially in the last ten years, has been keen to appreciate lawyers’ personal characteristics such as gender, and sexual orientation but ignores what a lawyers’ faith perspective may bring to the law.

Paige sees a shift in Charter rights and human rights law that concerns her. She observes that rights are supposed to run side by side with no right getting more attention or privilege than another. “It just doesn’t seem to exist that way.” While she admits that her rights as a woman and as a gay person has improved her life she is bothered about where it is leading. “I have become increasingly uncomfortable by the idea that my rights are now at the top of the heap over and above the rights of many others. I don’t want my rights to overshadow somebody else’s rights – like a person who might be conservative and religious. There has to be a way for these two sets of values to coexist.”

Despite their different views on religion Paige and Barry have a very engaging and enlightening conversation about the state of openness in Canadian society and in universities for conservative thought. Returning to university after being out for 23 years and Paige expected university to be even more open to new ideas and discussion. Unfortunately, she found it to be opposite. Indeed, “there is not a lot of space for what would be considered unpopular opinions. By unpopular opinions I mean those considered conservative in nature. There is no space for that.”

How to live together despite our differences is a theme of this very interesting discussion.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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In Canada today, “to be progressive is to be neutral and to not be progressive is to be wrong.”

Special guest, lawyer Bruce Pardy, returns to Freedom Feature for an in-depth discussion of progressivism.

First, Prof. Pardy highlights some of the contradictions in progressive thought. He explains that the double standards come from the concept of “repressive tolerance” which explicitly promotes causes on the left (even if they involve violence) but suppresses ideas and actions associated with the right. He concludes that “The country is polarized because one side rejects the legitimacy, indeed the existence, of the other.”

Second, he explains why we should be concerned about Chief Justice Richard Wagner’s comments on the trucker convoy. Famously, justice should be done, and be seen to be done. In a pluralistic society, courts need to be neutral before the point of ideology. However, Justice Wagner takes pride in the Supreme Court being the most progressive in world.

You can read more about this ongoing concern in an editorial coauthored by Dr. Bussey and Dr. Iain T. Benson: https://firstfreedoms.ca/time-to-reassess-the-canadian-judicial-council/

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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This is part two of a two-part interview with Lauren Heuser, the founder of "Canadian Affairs," a newly launched digital newspaper for Canadian professionals and families.

In this episode, Barry and Lauren discuss the Online News Act and its effect on digital news startups’ ability to reach audiences through social media and search engines. Lauren voices concern that this new legislation favours the interests of legacy publishers over emerging news startups, which rely almost entirely on social media and search engines to reach audiences. 
Lauren discusses the looming impact of this bill – diminished and poorer news content due to cost implications. She commends the Conservative Party's vocal stance against the Online News Act and hopes for further advocacy against it from both the Conservatives and NDP.

Check out her Website, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram accounts below:
Website: www.canadianaffairs.news  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/laurenheuser Twitter: https://twitter.com/LaurenEHeuser?s=20  Instagram:  @heuser.lauren @canadian_affairs

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Litigation lawyer Michael Lesage has reason to be concerned about the time it takes to get a case through the Ontario Superior Court.  His career depends on court efficiency.  Indeed, everyone’s access to justice requires a court system that is in top shape.  Our rule of law requires it.  Our democracy demands it.  So how does the Ontario Superior Court measure up to other superior courts?  You will want to hear.

If you noticed that your case, took or is taking a long time to get through the system you are not alone.  Mr. Lesage is wanting to get to the bottom of what is happening or not happening with the Ontario courts.  Not everyone is pleased with him asking uncomfortable questions.  However, it is by asking such questions that we may be able to understand what needs to be done and then get the powers that be to do something about it. 

Join us and listen in to Mr. Lesage’s findings so far.

This is part one of a two-part interview.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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Litigation lawyer Michael Lesage has reason to be concerned about the time it takes to get a case through the Ontario Superior Court.  His career depends on court efficiency.  Indeed, everyone’s access to justice requires a court system that is in top shape.  Our rule of law requires it.  Our democracy demands it.  So how does the Ontario Superior Court measure up to other superior courts?  You will want to hear.

If you noticed that your case, took or is taking a long time to get through the system you are not alone. 

Mr. Lesage is wanting to get to the bottom of what is happening or not happening with the Ontario courts.  Not everyone is pleased with him asking uncomfortable questions.  However, it is by asking such questions that we may be able to understand what needs to be done and then get the powers that be to do something about it. 

Join us and listen in to Mr. Lesage’s findings so far.

This is part two of a two-part interview.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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Barry had a chance to talk with Albertos Polizogopoulos about his relatively new law firm The Acacia Group (https://acaciagroup.ca/).  The Acacia Group offers a wide variety of services to its boutique clientele of churches, charities, non-profit, and religious institutions while providing a full range of legal services to the wider public.   Our guests share what motivated them to be engaged in this area of legal practice. 

Keep in mind this was recorded at a conference in Ottawa – so there is some background interference.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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We are living in an age of deception that is unparalleled in human history. Unscrupulous villains now have masterful tools at their disposal to challenge even the very elect as to what the reality of things are. The science of voice cloning technology has now reached the point where scientists are telling us we can no longer trust our ears. The inflection as well as the emotion of one’s voice is impeccably mimicked.

That is not all. Video technology is also reaching the point of being able to present individuals doing something they have not done. In other words, Artificial Intelligence will appear so very real that it will dupe the unexpected.

Geoffrey Hinton, dubbed the Godfather of Artificial Intelligence before quitting Google to speak more freely about the dangers of AI. Hinton’s main warnings are that artificial intelligence is creating fake video and audio that is near-indistinguishable from reality. He also notes that chatbots are acquiring knowledge far faster than any individual person, which could soon yield a “nightmare scenario” in which machines are capable of writing their own computer code. Hinton says we soon may not “be able to know what is true anymore.”

What is truth? It is the question of our age. The pursuit of truth is now the subject of government regulation with the passage of Bill C-11. A political philosopher once quipped, “"Sovereign is he who decides on the exception." He is ultimate power. In other words, it is the one with the power who decides what is true.

Barry's presentation is a call for citizens to be on guard to protect free speech in an age where changes are afoot to reduce it further.

This address was given on May 6, 2023 at https://www.canadianawakening.ca/

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Kristen Nagle was fined $10,000 for attending a church service in April 2021. How could that be possible in Canada? During that service she was not asked to speak or participate in organizing the church service. However, she was called called up to the front of the church and stood on the stage with a group of men including Derek Sloan and Randy Hillier.

The others in the group did speak to the congregation. Kristen was introduced to the congregation by the Pastor and was complemented for her willingness to stand up for her convictions on the COVID-19 pandemic despite her personal cost.

An officer assigned to keep watch on the congregation and enforce the Re-Opening Ontario Act regulations was across the street watching the live stream of the church service and recognized Kristen and laid charges against her.

On September 22, 2022, she was convicted and sentenced a fine of $10,000 and additional costs of $2,505.00. She is appealing that decision.

Barry's conversation with Kristen covered her activism and she shared her first hand account in Ottawa when the police broke up the protest.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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Subscribe today to the First Freedoms Podcast!

Join the ideological battle of ideas to protect Freedom nationwide in Canada and in the world beyond!

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Radical Purge! – Interview With Don Hutchinson Part Two

Radical Purge! – Interview With Don Hutchinson Part Two

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Dr. Don Hutchinson, Principal at Ansero Services, shares with Barry the federal government’s continued discrimination against Christian charities who do not share the government’s ideological commitments. The governments “Community Services Recovery Fund” is only open to those groups that are willing to agree with government’s views on such matters as abortion. Yet again the Trudeau government is demanding ideological conformity.

The second part of this interview considers the purge that has gone on in the Liberal Party in recent years. Many talented, experienced politicians have been purged from the Liberal Party to make room for a more radical element that is upending basic understandings of how government ought to be run.

Dr. Hutchinson shares with Barry the latest in the ongoing government campaign against pro-life Christian charities. This is part two of a two-part interview.

Dr. Hutchinson blogs at: http://www.donhutchinson.ca/

His blog entry on this matter is found here: http://www.donhutchinson.ca/canada-community-services-recovery-fund%e2%80%95another-discriminatory-attestation-requirement/

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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Augustine College is a private undergraduate institution that looks at Western intellectual history from its beginnings to the 21st century with attention and patience, oriented to understanding our world without abandoning the pursuit of truth. Join Dr. Barry W. Bussey and his special guest Dr. John Patrick, President of Augustine College as they discuss the importance of the Western Experience

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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Daniel Freiheit joins Barry for another interview on the current situation of freedom in Canada.  They begin their discussion on CPSO’s decision not to allow the public in its “public” deliberations.  The public is only allowed via the internet. 

However, that means the in-person experience is lost where the public could ask questions of the individual board members after the meetings.  Is this what we expect the future to be in a free country?

Genetic Non-Discrimination Bill in 2017 was passed by the government before the COVID-19 Pandemic occurred and it is now a question of whether that Bill can be used against employers who require PCR tests of their unvaccinated employers.  Daniel Freiheit opines on whether it is a possibility to use that legislation supporting the unvaccinated. 

If you cannot get a job now, says Daniel, you have to document all of your interactions with the employers who are refusing to hire and hold them accountable.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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Professor Iain T. Benson, of the University of Notre Dame Australia (Sydney) is of the view that the way to protect freedom is to go local and resist globalism. Our understanding of what is right and wrong does not come from the state but from local communities.

People, in Western countries, are often weak when it comes to pushing back against the government. Unfortunately, democratic governments are moving toward a globalist mindset that takes advantage of the "business as usual" model that turns a blind eye to the suffering others have to endure in maintaining the profits for the elites. Little concern is given for how countries like China are taking advantage of the poor to supply goods to the West.

Klaus Schwab and his WEF program supports the global capitalism that is destroying the local communities. The "Great Reset" is a plan that attacks (a) the self-determination of people's life, liberty and direction; and, (b) does not speak out against the colonization of the poorer countries.

Further, Dr. Benson argues, the West has become corrupt in failing to call these abuses for what they are. So, the question is, "Are we going to be governed locally or from the top down by the 'smug internationalists'?"

Mr. Schwab, and his associates, are technicians, Benson says.  They do not have objective moral positions but are moral relativists that support the 'business as usual' paradigm. Mr. Schwab's proteges, Prime Minister Trudeau, President Macron, Prime Minister Ardern, and others, are untrained in the philosophical understandings that have built our society. Their global moral relativism is inconsistent with the richest strands of international law and natural law.

We are left with courts that are convinced by legal positive thought that whatever the government issues is law with no regard to the larger picture of our legal history and basic human rights. The courts have been 'singing from the same song sheet' by refusing to give credence to the fundamental freedoms that have been the foundation of our society. Judges had the power to respond to the over reaching state enforced lockdowns which caused huge personal costs, but they refused to exercise their oversight role on government.

This failure has led to a loss of credibility in the courts, government and the professions such as medicine and law.

The way forward, according to Benson, is to re-learn the lessons of civil-disobedience and seek legal reform that does not allow government to solely determine when it can use emergency powers. The onus must be on the state to prove with verifiable evidence that the state is in jeopardy and such power is warranted. An independent body must be set up to make the determination and it cannot be only judges or politicians or medical professionals. There must be a broad range of people with different expertise that would be tasked with the job.

Our current systems failed us and we need new systems.

The population must be awakened to the "free-born mind" again. The managerial state has failed us. We cannot afford to keep giving government deference especially when even more challenging times are upon us as government plans to issue digital currency and continue its electronic surveillance over the population.

The local must be the focus not globalism.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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In this profound discussion, Dr. Joshua Mitchell, professor of political theory at Georgetown University, explores themes from his latest book, American Awakening: Identity Politics and Other Afflictions of Our Time (2020). Referencing the wisdom of Alexis de Tocqueville, Dr. Mitchell raises concerns and offers a constructive way forward.

Dr. Mitchell points out why identity politics is so destructive: it takes the Christian categories of guilt and innocence but rejects the possibility of forgiveness through Christ. Without a saviour, guilt can only be absolved through scapegoating.

Like the French Revolution, which famously “devoured its own children,” the progression of identity politics requires the continual purging of the “irredeemably stained,” until the once-innocent victims become the new guilty oppressors. We also see a kind of societal bipolarity as people become increasingly isolated or disconnected from others.

What is the antidote to the loneliness, addictions, or sense of impotence that so many are experiencing today? Dr. Mitchell urges listeners to invest in their local communities. Rather than being dependent on the state, we need to help the least among us. We need to be careful not to let supplements like social media become substitutes for real relationships !

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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This is part one of a two-part interview with Maggie Braun, a passionate advocate who has never shied away from fighting for what she believes in. 

From her early years being raised in Canada, Maggie's deep interest in society's workings has driven her. A lifelong environmental enthusiast, she kickstarted an activist group in high school and pursued Ecosystem Management in University.

She ran for the Federal Election with the Canadian Action Party in 2011 and remained involved in hometown initiatives. A devoted mother, she homeschools her children, passing on her values. Her initial impression of Canada was a call to care for its environment, yet she became disheartened witnessing environmental issues left unattended.

Maggie's life took a new turn when she engaged with the Freedom Convoy, joining the frontlines of a trucker protest. Her experience was a revelation: the convoy transformed into a circle of healing, where diverse voices shared stories of struggles and stresses. The convoy's spirit shattered media portrayals, uniting people of all backgrounds in a shared purpose.

Seeing the parallel of government treatment to history's dark chapters, Maggie connected with like-minded individuals at the convoy, a powerful contrast to her former isolation. Arrested on the last day of the convoy, her courageous stance laid out the printed Bill of Rights before the police, leading to a shocking exchange with a riot officer.

For Maggie, the Freedom Convoy wasn't just a protest, but a reminder that uniting people ignites genuine power. With unwavering determination, she stands ready to fight for freedom alongside the people, with a conviction that through connection comes the strength to battle for freedom till the very end.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

Check out Maggie’s LinkedIn below:

linkedin.com/in/maggie-braun-11033a121

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Derek Sloan, a lawyer, a politician and a family man is currently the leader of the Ontario Party. Barry caught up with Derek to find out what he is up to now that there are no elections to run.

Well, it is not surprising to find that Derek remains busy fighting for freedom. He is now raising money for those who are facing litigation for standing up against the government imposition on their freedoms. His website is: https://www.fundingthefight.ca/

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

Why would someone refuse a vaccine at great personal cost? In this heartfelt interview, nurse Judy Bacalso shares her medical and religious perspectives on the vaccine mandates, along with the personal impact on her life and family.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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Charles Ficner, a retired federal government employee, has learned the lessons of history and what made Canada one of the most successful countries in the Western World.  In a 2017 writing (https://ontariolandowners.ca/persons-property-charles-ficner/) he observes,

“The Core Principle that persons matter above everything else is at the root of Western Civilization. It has been confirmed, reconfirmed and firmly established as the foundation of our system of government and law. Whenever it was set aside it became impossible for persons to live together in a civil and civilized way.”

“Government’s primary job is not to command, but to protect each and every citizen,” Mr. Ficner points out, “It must ensure that no person, no corporation, no institution and no official undermines the inalienable rights of any person. When those who hold public offices use the government’s power in any way that harms any citizen’s rights, their acts and commands have no legitimacy at all.”

Charles shares with Barry the extraordinary currents of thought in the history of the West that remains relevant to us today.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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Dr. Don Hutchinson, Principal at Ansero Services, shares with Barry the federal government’s continued discrimination against Christian charities who do not share the government’s ideological commitments. The governments “Community Services Recovery Fund” is only open to those groups that are willing to agree with government’s views on such matters as abortion.

Yet again the Trudeau government is demanding ideological conformity. The Canada Summer Jobs issue in 2018 got a lot of attention for the same government interference in freedom of religion and conscience. The government has not changed. And, with this new program the government’s heavy hand is seen yet again.

Dr. Hutchinson shares with Barry the latest in the ongoing government campaign against pro-life Christian charities. This is part one of a two-part interview.

Dr. Hutchinson blogs at: http://www.donhutchinson.ca/

His blog entry on this matter is found here: http://www.donhutchinson.ca/canada-community-services-recovery-fund%e2%80%95another-discriminatory-attestation-requirement/

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

On April 5, 2024, at St. Paul’s, St. Peter’s Church, in Ottawa an audience of over seventy people came out to hear first hand a spirited debate over virtue vs. freedom. Dr. David Haskell advocated for a virtuous government to lead the country back to a traditional view of “conservative.”

Haskell noted in his opening statement,

Thus, liberty is a core characteristic of the conservatism I’m describing. And while conservatives in the Anglo-speaking countries are fierce defenders of freedom, they are guided by their religious tradition to balance their love of personal liberty with duty to family and duty to their nation.
So with all this in mind, I’ll wrap up my definition of conservatism as a political philosophy. A government that leads according to conservative ideals will focus on the promotion of freedom, but it will be tempered by
traditions of faith, protection of family, and the success of the nation.
And this needs to be said.
A conservative does not need to be religious, though many are, but they must support the virtues of the Judeo-Christian tradition because they recognize that they lead to the greatest societal success.

Law Professor Bruce Pardy took the position of the “Classical Liberal” – noting that

David Haskell is one of the best human beings that I know. He has made himself a servant of God, of his family, of his community, of this country. But Dave is also a conservative. And many conservatives carry
something dark inside their hearts. And that is this. The conviction that everyone must live like them.

We agree, the two of us, about a great many things. But we don’t agree about this. And as Dave suggested, this may be the thing upon which the fight turns. Because there are these two forces working together to try and resist the woke, to try to resist the dissolving of Western Civilization. If you give somebody control, they have control over what happens. And that’s the way government works. If government is going to foster a virtuous society, it’s going to foster a virtuous society that it thinks is virtuous.  And that’s what it has been doing.

As Thomas Sowell said, the most basic question is not what shall be done, But who decides what shall be done? Dave’s answer is the government. And my answer is you. You shall decide what happens in your life and how you choose to behave.

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Shawn Whatley, MD, is the past President of the Ontario Medical Association and a physician leader with experience in emergency medicine and primary care.  You may find more of his work and a great podcast at:  https://shawnwhatley.com/

Dr. Whatley spoke with Barry about why the right must talk about the morality of gender-affirming care, assisted suicide.  Why are we so reluctant to speak about morality in these very serious issues? 

Dr. Whatley’s recent book, When Politics Comes Before Patients: Why and How Canadian Medicare is Failing, has this to say,

“Successive governments, regardless of political stripe, know all too well that Canada's system of health care is one of the defining characteristics of "being a Canadian", and any changes deemed harmful will have them thrown out of power. Thus, decades of cuts around the margins, centralized control, federal/provincial infighting, and government oversight has left doctors and hospitals with little input on how your health dollars are allocated and spent. Citizens are being left to languish in pain for months, sometimes years, because the current cost and delivery system is programmed for the benefit of governments staying in power. That was not what was intended. Medicare should be about delivering high-quality and timely healthcare value for Canadians.”

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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Canadian journalist Donna Laframboise was among the founding journalists with the National Post. In her long career she wanted to understand the story behind the story. In January-February 2022 she followed with interest the unfolding story of the Freedom Convoy 2022 in Ottawa and decided she would take her camera and find out what was happening. During the second week of the protest, she walked among the crowd as an observer. The festive atmosphere of the protest was nothing she experienced before. Her family was concerned for her safety because of the government and media news reports from the mainstream media. The reports were so far from the truth that it shocked her journalist ethic.  Now she is writing a book telling the stories of the truckers and what happened at that rally. In other words, she is writing the truth that government and media refuse to tell.

Join Barry and Donna as they talk about the misinformation of government on what has turned out to be a pivotal moment in Canadian history.  This is the first of a two-part interview.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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This is an interview with Hatim Kheir and Jojo Ruba, two passionate voices advocating for freedom of expression and the power of open dialogue. Hatim, a lawyer representing Free to Care's intervention in the Bill Whatcott case, tackled the controversial issues raised in the case. Hatim, Jojo, and Barry discussed the importance of vigilance against repeating historical mistakes against freedom of speech and the need to push back when it is being challenged today. In this evolving legal landscape, courts' views have shifted, recognizing the delicate balance between critique and hate.

Barry and his guests discussed the challenges arising from the misconception that criticizing behavior equates to hating individuals. Jojo’s dedication to confronting relativism—a belief in the absence of objective truth—became a central theme in this interview. They emphasized the importance of showing up and engaging in conversations that shape society's future. Both Hatim and Jojo recognize the broader implications: that it's not just freedom of expression at stake, but the core of who we are and how we interact with one another. As courts continue to evolve and society faces complex issues, their efforts remind us to safeguard the right to speak out while fostering understanding and progress.

Check out Hatim and Jojo’s information below:

Hatim:

Website: jccf.ca 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Hatim_Kheir_ 

Jojo: 

Website: https://www.freetocare.ca/staff 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JojoRRuba?s=20 

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“The Online Harms Bill—if passed into law—will make the government’s COVID-19 overreach look like child’s play.” – Barry W. Bussey

A child with a hammer sees everything as a nail. Nothing is off limits to that child. A child with power can do a lot of damage. You know. You have seen the school yard bully yourself as a child. They have no remorse for the pain they inflict. They just laugh.

Jordan Peterson’s recent National Post op-ed points out that 5% of the population consists of those with the “Dark Tetrad personality traits — the manipulators, narcissists, psychopaths and sadists” who are now given the hammer of the internet — where they “can give full expression to their worst impulses online, invading every space of commentary with their purposefully hurtful, bitter and vengeful provocation, aiming precisely at spreading the grief and misery their vengeful souls wish to perpetrate on the world.”

There can be no doubt that protecting the public from such individuals doing their worst online is laudable. These people need to be bridled so that they are unable to run havoc in our society. Evil has been given full sway online and it does not stay online. It often manifests itself in our streets. We have reason to be concerned about online hatred.

However, is Bill C-63 the Online Harms Bill the appropriate tool to address the problem? Or, is it itself a hammer given to government that will now see everything as a nail?

This is the first video of many Barry is making on the dangers of Bill C-63. This is a bill that simply must not become law. It must be stopped in its current form. You can help!

Sign our petition today - https://firstfreedoms.ca/stopbillc63/

Should people of faith be involved in politics? What can Christians do to stand up for the vulnerable and the voiceless?

Former pastor and Member of Parliament Mr. Harold Albrecht shares his concerns about government overreach, including his personal observations of the peaceful protests in Ottawa. He explains that engaging in politics doesn’t necessarily mean taking a partisan view, but rather being willing to address political issues on behalf of those who are negatively affected by government measures.

Importantly, says Mr. Albrecht, God doesn’t call us to be victorious in every battle, he calls us to be faithful as we play our part. Ultimately, however, politics are not the hope of the world: it is Christ who offers true freedom.

Whether you share our guest’s religious faith or not, we hope you will be encouraged by his hopeful reflections!

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

Pastor Artur Pawlowski sat down with Barry W. Bussey and shared his personal story of coming to Canada and ministering in Calgary. He candidly shares his trouble with government. His congregation lost charitable status. His ongoing court hearings and his new venture into politics.

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The Bencher Election campaign for the Law Society of Ontario (LSO)  is now under way and it is a doozy!  The stakes could not be higher for the over 55,000 Ontario lawyers.

In 2019 an uprising occurred among the Ontario lawyers that saw a slate of 22 benchers elected with the aim of stoping the LSO's policy of imposing a "Statement of Principles" upon the legal profession.  This policy would have required lawyers to promote equality, diversity and inclusion in their practice. 

Opposition quickly arose because of its attack on free speech. 

Not only were lawyers expected to carryout the policy, but they had to believe in it.

One lawyer noted, "While the LSO has the mandate to regulate lawyers, it has no mandate to regulate t Lawyers play an essential role in our society; that role, however, does not include becoming state agents that parrot state-sponsored speech."

22 of the STOPSOP were elected as benchers in 2019 and eventually the SOP was stopped as promised.

The benchers are up for election again in 2023 and this time there are two opposing camps - one called the "FULLSTOP" slate of 35 lawyers seeking to become "Benchers"; the other group is called the "Good Governance Coalition" slate of 45 lawyers.

The choice could not be starker.  The FullStop group wants to "Stop Bloat" - reducing the LSO budget, annual fees, and bureaucratic interference in the practice of law; "Stop Creep" - restore the LSO to its core mandate of regulating competence and integrity; "Stop Woke" - Remove social engineering, group identity politics, and "woke" ideological agendas from the LSO.

The Good Governance Coalition - wants to "return competent, representative leadership" to the LSO.  In other words, it wants to get back to the agenda of the pre-2019 program that caused the FullStop group to come into existence.

Barry chats with law professor Bruce Pardy, who is the executive director of Rights Probe - www.rightsprobe.org.  Prof. Pardy shares with Barry concerns he raised in a recent article stating - "It threatens not just lawyers but professionals of all kinds, as well as every Canadian who might someday need their services: embrace our politics or risk losing your licence." 

This is Part One of a Two Part interview.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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Jeffrey Tucker joins Barry Bussey again to discuss the latest state of affairs in the pandemic aftermath. Despite a year having passed since the Trucker Freedom Convoy 2022 in Ottawa residual effects of the pandemic remain as unvaccinated Canadians are still not permitted to travel to the United States. Tucker notes that it is particularly embarrassing that the restriction remains. He points out that it is a power play with a lot of vested industrial interests who, in concert with the administrative state, are keeping the emergency declaration operative.

Tucker also shared the importance for citizens not to be lulled to sleep just because the administrative state has relaxed its pandemic lockdowns. At any moment the vested interests can reimpose measures that take away freedom. Every citizen has a responsibility to be on guard and ensure that governments are held accountable for their actions.

The conversation ends on a hope note for citizens to take courage and not give up but to use the window of opportunity we currently have to stand our ground for freedom against the big tech, pharma, and bureaucrats who seek to impose their will on citizens.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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As if we didn't already know but now we have evidence of Canadian media gone "Woke"! David Rozado and Aaron Wudrick recently conducted a study on Canadian news media and obtained clear evidence of a “Northern Awokening: How social justice and woke language have infiltrated Canadian News Media.”

Barry discussed the study with Aaron Wudrick, one of the study authors, a lawyer and the Director of MacDonald -Laurier Institute's Domestic Policy Program. (https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/cm-expert/aaron-wudrick/)

You may read the study at: https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/northern-awokening-how-social-justice-and-woke-language-have-infiltrated-canadian-news-media/

And their op-ed at: https://nationalpost.com/opinion/measuring-the-canadian-news-medias-great-awokening

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

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“As long as you’re abiding by the law, challenging the government is a healthy thing and we should never be afraid of it.” – Eva Chipiuk

On January 23, 2024, The Honourable Richard Mosley declared the Emergencies Act invoked on February 14, 2022 to be unlawful. In part 2/2, lawyers Barry W. Bussey and Eva Chipiuk discuss how this transgression happened and how it may be avoided in the future. Canadians seem to have a culture of showing deference to its elected officials. During the truckers’ convoy especially, many Canadians were waiting for lawyers to speak up over this violation of February 2022, but . . .  the judiciary, lawyers, citizens, elected officials and media all have a role to play in a robust democracy. Canadians need to rid themselves of this idea that other, more outspoken people will step up to the plate to protect our rights. Our causes, our institutions and democracy itself need to be defended by reasonable and ordinary Canadians.

Need a primer on Canadian civics? Check out some courses on Eva’s website:

Empowered Canadians – Citizens v. Government

Follow Eva on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok.

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.

In this Freedom Feature conversation, law professor Bruce Pardy, Executive Director of Rights Probe, comments on the underlying ideas that were made apparent in the loss of freedoms during the pandemic. Bruce and Barry discuss a range of issues from self-censorship and conformity to the legacy of the Charter.

Will we emerge from the present crisis having learned anything about the dangers of a managerial state in which experts regulate our lives for the collective good? Or will we stand for individual freedom?

As Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn declared:
“Let the lie come into the world, let it even triumph, but not through me.”

Please note the views expressed by the individual(s) in this video are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or principles of the First Freedoms Foundation.