“The price of freedom is eternal vigilance” (John Philpot Curran, 1790)
Is Canada free?
Lawyer, law professor, and author Philip Slayton explains how and why freedom is a complicated and sometimes controversial concept. He argues that, even though Canada is free in many respects, we can see a loss of freedom in academia and the media.
According to Mr. Slayton, our system of education has deteriorated. The goal or purpose should be to produce citizens who “know a good argument from a bad argument.” This is necessary to nurture and promote a free society. The best response to disagreement isn’t deplatforming, it’s dialogue!
Likewise, the wholesale rejection of history is both absurd and dangerous. We may regret certain things in our past, but we need to properly understand and evaluate what got us to where we are now.
Throughout his conversation with Dr. Bussey, Mr. Slayton offers nuanced commentary on complex subjects, from the issue of financial subsidies for the press to the role of an unelected judiciary, the use of Emergencies Act, proportional representation, and the Prime Minister’s power to appoint judges. In the end, he urges Canadians not to be deferential towards powerful institutions. We must pay close attention and ask intelligent questions in order to preserve our freedom and democracy.
Check out Philip Slayton’s book, Nothing Left to Lose.
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