By Ted Kuntz | VaccineChoiceCanada.com

“Few men are willing to brave the disapproval of their fellows, the censure of their colleagues, the wrath of their society. Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or great intelligence. Yet it is the one essential, vital quality for those who seek to change a world which yields most painfully to change.” – Robert F. Kennedy, 1966

Let’s be clear. Bill C-9 is a censorship bill. Its purpose is to restrict open and honest debate in this country. It is a political weapon to silence dissent, disagreement, or facts that the government finds inconvenient or at odds with its agenda. This bill attacks the very foundation of a free and democratic society. It declares that the state is “the authority” to decide what is acceptable speech and what is not.

This bill isn’t drafted at the request of Canadians. Canadians love free speech. Canadians love to express their opinions, likes, and dislikes. Canadians like to share their perspectives, their ideas, and their concerns. The ability to speak freely is what people appreciate about living in a free country.

The federal government is at war with us. This government is at war with our Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It is declaring that it will decide what speech is acceptable and what is not. It wants to become the moral authority in this country. This government is intent on replacing God. It is destroying what makes a Western nation great and the envy of people around the world.

This isn’t the beginning of censorship. This bill is the final takedown of free speech.

We experienced egregious government censorship over the last five years. Those who disagreed with the government’s response to COVID were attacked, jailed, deprived of their livelihoods, vilified in the press, and had their bank accounts frozen.

A few examples of those who experienced the boot of tyranny include Dr. Charles Hoffe, Dr. Byram Bridle, Dr. Mark Trozzi, Dr. Patrick Phillips, Dr. Mary O’Connor, Dr. Stephen Malthouse, Dr. Roger Hodkinson, Dr. Francis Christian, Pastor Artur Pawlowski, Tamara Lich, Chris Barber, Randy Hillier, and many more. The censorship imposed by governments and the courts during COVID failed us miserably. Unscientific and unsubstantiated measures were imposed because debate, discussion, and evidence were denied.

But it is not just those who disagreed with the government’s response to COVID who are censored and silenced.

Those who disagree with the sexualization of our children in our schools and public spaces and who want to preserve the innocence of our children have also been silenced and censored. People like school trustee Barry Neufeld, Pastor Derek Reimer, Billboard Chris, parents, teachers, and others.

Then there are those who insist on solid evidence before accepting the unsubstantiated declaration that the bodies of 215 children have been found in mass graves in Kamloops. Any discussion or debate, or declaration of the facts, is met with cries of “hate” and “racism.” Just ask Dr. Francis Widdowson, Tara Armstrong, or Dallas Brodie.

The censorship doesn’t stop there. Ottawa Detective Helen Grus was censored and found guilty of “discreditable conduct” for simply asking questions about the vaccine status of mothers whose infants died suddenly and unexpectedly. Police officers in Ontario must now ask permission to investigate a potential crime if the matter is “politically sensitive.”

Our universities are no longer institutions of higher learning or critical thinking. Witness the recent assault of Dr. Francis Widdowson at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops and at the University of Victoria, or the many assaults on Rebel News reporters. One has to ask, what are our children learning at these institutions?

The list of topics Canadians can no longer talk about is growing. And those who support this censorship don’t respond with facts, logical arguments, or open discussion. They respond with verbal and physical attacks, name-calling, violence, and now legislation to silence free speech.

Bill C-9 is vague. Terms like “intimidation” and “obstruction” are broad enough to criminalize peaceful protest or expression. Many provisions duplicate existing Criminal Code offences. Vague, overlapping, or broadly worded laws risk arbitrary enforcement and suppression of dissent. For those who doubt whether such is possible, one need only look to Germany, the UK, and other European countries where a simple X post, or a Facebook “like,” can have you arrested and charged. Don’t think this can’t or won’t happen here. The invoking of the Emergencies Act in response to peaceful protest showed us what this government is capable of.

This bill sends a chilling message—comply, conform, be silent, and stop asking questions—or you will be criminally charged. It has already had this effect. I’ve been in numerous meetings in the last six months where someone has stated, “You know, if the Liberal government has its way, this conversation will be a crime.” I suggest that the purpose of Bill C-9 is “intimidation” and “threats,” both of which are criminal offences.

Bill C-9 undermines freedom of religion, expression, conscience, and protection from ideological coercion. By any measure, these efforts are a takedown of our society. Bill C-9 will increase division and discord and further undermine trust in our governments, institutions, courts, and media.

I suggest the situation in Canada is dire:

• Parental authority overridden: Schools and government agencies increasingly bypass parents, asserting authority over moral, social, and even medical decisions belonging to families.
• Decisions made in secrecy: Critical decisions affecting children are made behind closed doors, without transparency or public scrutiny.
• Information distorted: Media outlets suppress or distort evidence, leaving Canadians without trustworthy sources of truth.
• Professionals silenced: Professionals who try to speak honestly risk censorship, discipline, or removal.
• Institutions politicized: Courts and law enforcement agencies have become politicized. Public trust is broken, the rule of law has been abandoned, and the protection Canadians once had from tyranny and government overreach has been eroded.

We need to have the courage to confront the truth. We need to hear the voices of all Canadians, not just those aligned with a political or corporate agenda. We need the media to reclaim their rightful place as a voice of the people if we are to survive as a free and democratic nation.

Ted Kuntz is the President of Vaccine Choice Canada