JusticeCentre

Defend freedom in Canada with a donation to the Justice Centre. Make a one-time or recurring donation here: https://jccf.kindful.com/ Glenn Blackett is a constitutional lawyer with a legal team funded by the Justice Centre. He is interviewed by Luke Neilson, Director of Communications at the Justice Centre.

This short photo montage takes a look the life of George Jonas, and the winners of the George Jonas Freedom Award. From the Justice Centre website jccf.ca Author, poet, journalist and National Post columnist, George Jonas (1935-2016) made significant contributions to freedom in Canada after escaping from communist Hungary in 1956. George Jonas experienced life under both Stalinist communism, as well as the pro-Nazi Hungarian fascist regime during the Second World War. George Jonas supported the Justice Centre in his capacity as a board member of the Aurea Foundation, thereby greatly aiding the Justice Centre throughout its early years. In 2018, the Justice Centre inaugurated this annual award to carry on the legacy of George Jonas and to highlight the impact that one individual can make in defense of a free society.

Who should raise children? Schools or parents? Today, radical activists are trying to convince Canada that parents are a threat to their own children. We are defending children and parental rights from British Columbia and Saskatchewan to Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick. Take a moment to explore our spotlight cases in British Columbia and New Brunswick. Explore these spotlight cases here: https://www.jccf.ca/defending-parenta... Defend freedom in Canada with a donation to the Justice Centre. Make a one-time or recurring donation here: https://jccf.kindful.com/ Marty Moore is a constitutional lawyer leading a legal team funded by the Justice Centre. He is interviewed by Luke Neilson, Director of Communications at the Justice Centre.

Lawyer Marty Moore takes us through the issues in the Rickcola Brinton case. A Nova Scotia judge has filed a complaint against the province's Chief Judge over a vaccine mandate and medical privacy, raising concerns about judicial independence.

Glenn takes us through a case in which the University of British Columbia cancelled a speech by journalist and activist Andy Ngo. In 2019, UBC cancelled a scheduled, on-campus speech entitled, "Understanding ANTIFA Violence," after Ngo had been invited by the student group The Free Speech Club to deliver it. The lawsuit, now at the BC Supreme Court, grapples with this question: are post-secondary institutions subject to the Canadian Charter?

Lawyer Marty Moore updates us on a still active case out of BC dealing with a pastor holding services during the 2020 Covid lockdowns. He informs us that a Jordan Application has been filed, asking the court to dismiss the case due to unreasonable delays. We use this as a springboard to discuss the Jordan Application generally.

Ezra Levant is the 2024 recipient of the Justice Centre's annual award for preserving and advancing freedom in Canada. As he looks forward to the award dinners in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary, Mr. Levant talks about some highlights in his career as the publisher of the Western Standard print magazine and the founder of Rebel News.

Justice Centre President John Carpay talks about the recipient of the 2024 George Jonas Freedom Award, Ezra Levant, and how Mr. Levant is advancing freedom in Canada through his work as advocate, journalist, and visionary within the world of independent media. We also dive into a couple of John's recent columns: one on school absenteeism and another on how skilled but unvaccinated healthcare professionals in BC and Ontario are still prevented from working in their chosen field.

Justice Centre Education Programs Coordinator Ben Klassen talks to host Kevin Steel about all the activity in his department, starting with the High School Curriculum he's helping to develop. The first module on free expression is complete, and now Ben's working on the second which focuses on freedom of religion. We hear about the upcoming essay contest and the new photography contest. And Ben talks about his soon-to-be-published report, to be posted on the Justice Centre's spiffy new website, jccf.ca, about the repercussions of Bill C-18. That's the federal legislation that tried to force online communications platforms to pay news organizations for their content.

Lawyer Lisa Bildy brings us up to date on the case of BC nurse Amy Hamm who is near the end of her disciplinary hearing before the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives. She is accused of saying there are only two genders. It began back in 2020, when she helped put up a billboard that said, "I [heart] JK Rowling". The hearings wrap up on Monday, March 18 starting at 10 AM PMT. You can view the hearing online by following the instructions at https://www.bccnm.ca/Public/complaints/Pages/Notice.aspx?NoticeID=790 Sign our petition: Stop the Online Harms Act https://www.jccf.ca/petitions/

Justice Centre President John Carpay shares his initial impressions of the federal government's Online Harms Act, unveiled on February 26. There is much he doesn't like. In fact, he calls it "a full-on frontal assault on free expression, the worst in Canadian history. Full stop." John explains why, and what the Justice Centre is going to do about it. Sign the "Stop the Online Harms Act" petition https://www.jccf.ca/petitions/

Lawyer Chris Fleury tells us about the appeal he’s filed on behalf of former Ontario MPP Randy Hillier who had challenged the province’s 2021 Covid stay-at-home orders. This appeal focuses on the right to peaceful assembly which, Fleury says, has usually taken on a secondary role in constitutional challenges behind other rights, like freedom of religion and free speech.

John Carpay recaps the issues in the Grandel v Saskatchewan case, after the appeal hearing last week. He focuses on the rule of law. The provincial government went after those who protested government lockdowns, after they gave a pass to other groups protesting other causes. John then looks at the transgender policies being introduced in Alberta. He anticipates Charter challenges once these are passed by the legislature.

Lawyer Glenn Blackett has handled cases that dealt with dissent and free expression in the professions. As doctors, nurses, lawyers and academics run afoul of their regulatory bodies, Blackett says it's time to stand up to these institutions. He explains why dissent and diversity of opinion is critical to the well-being of society.

Lawyer Allison Pejovic talks with host Kevin Steel about the need for clarification on mootness rulings, especially involving cases that deal with emergency orders. The orders come and go faster than the courts can deal with them, but Canadians still need answers on whether they are lawful or not. Otherwise, we will a hit-and-run tyranny, with governments able to issue draconian laws with no oversight as long as they withdraw them before a case can get to court.

Lawyer James Manson joins producer Kevin Steel to talk about the sudden same-day decision in the appeal to Robin Francis' case where he was denied Employment Insurance for being unvaccinated.

Chris Barber's lawyer, Diane Magas, provides an update on his ongoing criminal trial after day 21. The trial was originally scheduled for 16 days but is now set to stretch past 30 days. Mr. Barber faces charges of mischief, intimidation, obstructing a highway, obstructing a police officer, and counselling others to commit the same offences, based on his involvement in the peaceful Freedom Convoy protest in Ottawa in January and February of 2022. The confirmed dates of Chris Barber and Tamara Lich's trial continue Oct 26, 27 and Nov 1, 3 in Ottawa. Support Chris Barber and other truckers' legal defence by donating to the Justice Centre today at www.jccf.ca/donate.

Chris Barber's trial continues today. The Justice Centre helps brave Canadians like him with legal defence. With trial ongoing, more days means more money. Please donate today to help cover these costs. www.jccf.ca/donate Chris Barber faces charges of mischief, intimidation, obstructing a highway, obstructing a police officer, and counselling others to commit the same offences, from his involvement in the peaceful Freedom Convoy protest in Ottawa in January and February of 2022. The trial of Chris Barber and Tamara Lich continues October 26, 27 and November 1, 3 in Ottawa. Support Chris Barber and other truckers' legal defence by donating to the Justice Centre today at www.jccf.ca/donate.

Lawyer Hatim Kheir joins Justice Centre Weekly to discuss parts of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms that support parental rights. This conversation will be an excellent resource for parents on how to raise these issues at school board meetings. www.jccf.ca

Lawyer Allison Pejovic joins producer Kevin Steel to discuss the past week's hearing in the challenge of the federal travel vaccine mandate on behalf of the Honourable Brian Peckford, the Honourable Maxime Bernier, and others. Back in October 2022, the Federal Court dismissed the case, declaring it “moot,” or irrelevant, because the mandates were no longer in force. However, the appellants believe that the public interest in the case far outweighs the concern and need for judicial economy. Read more at https://www.jccf.ca/ruled-moot-the-travel-vaccine-mandate-challenge-is-back-before-the-court/. Support the important work of the Justice Centre and cases like this by donating today at www.jccf.ca/donate.

There is "some evidence that the [Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry] preferred some faith groups over others", found a Judge in the Provincial Court of British Columbia. Lawyer Marty Moore joins the show to talk about the restrictions churches faced in BC during the pandemic, and how they were treated differently than other faith groups in the province. On September 12, 2023, the Justice Centre was pleased to share the Provincial Court of British Columbia decision that a BC pastor can proceed with an application to dismiss the prosecution against him for allegedly holding an in-person worship service during COVID-19 on the basis that the prosecution “risks undermining the integrity of the judicial process.” Read more at https://www.jccf.ca/british-columbia-public-health-officer-preferred-some-faith-groups-over-others/ Donate to the work of the Justice Centre to cover the legal costs for these brave Canadians at www.jccf.ca/donate

The Justice Centre's Education Programs Coordinator, Luke Neilson, discusses the forthcoming second report on Digital ID, privacy, and surveillance, and how it will impact Canadians. Most importantly, Luke and producer Kevin Steel discuss how Canadians can navigate these technologies. [Originally posted July 14, 2023] Learn more at: https://www.jccf.ca/tech-and-the-charter/ Sign up for our mailing list on our website at www.jccf.ca Subscribe to "Justice Centre Weekly" wherever you get your podcasts

On October 18, 2021, the Justice Centre filed a constitutional challenge against Ontario’s vaccine passport mandate in Ontario’s Superior Court. The legal challenge is brought on behalf of eight Ontario citizens who are exercising their Charter rights and freedoms by not taking one or more doses of the Covid vaccine, including Evan Kraayenbrink, a paramedic who decided he would wait for further data on the effects of the Covid vaccine prior to deciding whether to be injected with it. Mr. Kraayenbrink also has religious beliefs about being ultimately accountable to God for what he allows to be done to his body. He lost a job he loved for that decision because of the Covid-19 vaccination mandate. Hear his story in his own words. Read more about this case at: https://www.jccf.ca/court_cases/harjee-kraayenbrink-aoun-lamb-sabourin-et-al-vs-ontario/ Support the work of the Justice Centre at www.jccf.ca/donate

Lawyer Hatim Kheir joins host Kevin Steel to discuss a new case the Justice Centre is defending: Pro-life organization was prohibited by the Parliamentary Protective Service (PPS) from displaying images of abortion victims ahead of the National March for Life in May 2023. [Originally posted July 7, 2023] On June 30, 2023, a Notice of Application was filed in the Federal Court on behalf of CLC and a woman who planned to hold one of the signs at the news conference, challenging the constitutionality of the limits on the freedom of expression on Parliament Hill. Read more: https://www.jccf.ca/parliamentary-police-prohibit-signs-by-pro-life-organization-court-challenge-filed/

The Justice Centre's Luke Neilson was at Olympic Plaza during the Calgary Stampede to interview people about privacy, digital ID, and their Charter freedoms. The Justice Centre is leading Canada in understanding how emerging information technologies impact rights and freedoms. Read our latest report and learn more at https://www.jccf.ca/tech-and-the-charter/