Senators’ Recommendation That Government Combat ‘Residential School Denialism’ Is Totalitarian

The Senate of Canada building and Senate Chamber are pictured in Ottawa on Feb. 18, 2019. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick)

Lawyer John Carpay, is the founder and president of the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms. Carpay has devoted his legal career to defending constitutional freedoms through litigation and education. He considers it a privilege to advocate for courageous and principled clients who take great risks — and make tremendous personal sacrifices — by resisting the unjust demands of intolerant government authorities. In 2010, John received the Pyramid Award for Ideas and Public Policy in recognition of his work in constitutional advocacy, and his success in building up and managing a non-profit organization to defend citizens’ freedoms.

John’s love for freedom of expression is a love for a basic human right enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Charter is the most essential part of the Canadian Constitution, why it’s listed as Part 1.

This what it says:

PART I

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

 Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law:

Guarantee of Rights and Freedoms

Rights and freedoms in Canada

1 The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.

Fundamental Freedoms

2 Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:

• (a) freedom of conscience and religion;

• (b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;

• (c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and

• (d) freedom of association.

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John Carpay carefully shows that the Senate Standing Committee on Indigenous Peoples’ 30-page report titled "Honouring the Children Who Never Came Home: Truth, Education and Reconciliation" that includes a recommendation “that the Government of Canada take every action necessary to combat the rise of residential school denialism” is a direct, totalitarian assault on the Charter’s guarantee of “freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication.”

This is a must read for anyone who loves freedom.