Institute for Freedom and Justice

The IFJ was created to promote the foundation, spirit, philosophy and legal force of our Canadian Constitution and the principles of good governance.

[Institute for Freedom and Justice @IFJCanada]

At a recent webinar we held, we asked attendees what they thought was the single greatest threat to freedom in Canada today? These were the results of our poll ranked in order of number of votes.

What do YOU think is the greatest threat to freedom in Canada today? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

[Institute for Freedom and Justice @IFJCanada]

Transparency and accountability of government policies is essential in a vibrant democracy. Our media are not fulfilling their role of informing Canadians about failing policies. Canadians need an unbiased media that does not report along partisan lines.

[The Food Professor @FoodProfessor]

To my X followers,

I’ve worked with the media for nearly 25 years. For most of that time, the relationship was professional and balanced. But in recent years, something has shifted.

I am increasingly concerned about the state of our democracy — particularly how media, in general, are informing Canadians about food policy, food inflation, and economic policy.

I now find myself learning more about Canada’s economy and policy changes from American outlets than from Canadian ones. Much of our national coverage feels reactive, shallow, or overly fixated on partisan narratives rather than substantive policy analysis.

What troubles me most is the lack of scrutiny applied evenly across governments and institutions.

For example, when the Bank of Canada suggested that Ottawa’s counter-tariffs contributed to food inflation, only one major outlet — Bloomberg — gave it meaningful coverage. The grocery benefit program received very little examination regarding how it would be financed. It took days before anyone pressed for clarity.

During the latest spike in food inflation, several outlets turned to the same small circle of commentators who dismissed any potential role of federal policy — carbon pricing, GST holidays, counter-tariffs — despite mounting evidence that policy decisions can and do affect food prices.

Instead of investigating structural drivers of inflation, much of the coverage focuses on fact-checking opposition rhetoric, even though the opposition has not governed since 2015. Scrutiny should be applied equally — not selectively.

Quebec media, while imperfect, appear to have maintained a broader range of debate. In much of the rest of Canada, I see increasing concentration of voices — often from the same region, Ontario, often reflecting similar policy perspectives — and less diversity of thought grounded in empirical research.

This isn’t about partisan politics. It’s about accountability, transparency, and healthy democratic discourse.

Media are under financial pressure — that’s real. But public trust depends on independence and depth. Subsidy structures, incentives, and newsroom economics all matter.

Canada deserves stronger policy journalism — especially on food affordability, supply chains, and economic resilience.

We need more data-driven analysis, more intellectual diversity, and more courage to ask uncomfortable questions — regardless of which party is in power.

Until that happens, Canadians would be wise to diversify their news sources and think critically about what they’re being told — and what they’re not.

[Institute for Freedom and Justice @IFJCanada]

We’re pleased to invite you to JOIN OUR WEBINAR for the Transparency and Accountability Project this Thursday February 19, 2026, where you’ll connect with like-minded Canadians who care deeply about integrity, good governance, and meaningful civic engagement. This interactive session will provide an opportunity to engage directly with fellow supporters who share your commitment to positive change across Canada. We hope you’ll take this opportunity to be part of the conversation and strengthen this growing community — please click the link below to register for the meeting.

https://t.co/JODF3CBU9K

[Institute for Freedom and Justice @IFJCanada]

CONNECT WITH US LIKE NEVER BEFORE!

Get timely updates on our work delivered straight to your inbox, along with exclusive invitations to attend meetings with like-minded Canadians.

Learn how YOU can become more engaged in the civic process and affect change in your community and across this great country.

Click the link or scan the QR code to SIGN UP NOW!

https://t.co/9MJyqM8TWY

#TRANSPARENCY #ACCOUNTABILITY #GOODGOVERNANCE #COMMUNITY #CONNECT

[Institute for Freedom and Justice @IFJCanada]

JOIN US on Thursday, January 15, 2026 at p.m. Eastern for a live webinar introducing our new Transparency & Accountability Project, a powerful tool designed to help Canadians better understand, track, and engage with issues that affect freedom, justice, and good governance. In this session, our team will walk you through how the platform works, demonstrate its key features, and show how you can use it to stay informed, hold decision-makers accountable, and take meaningful action. Scan the QR code or click this link to SIGN UP! https://t.co/odDazulDP0

@KarlDHarrison
@ShaunRickard67
#GoodGovernance #Transparency #Accountability

[Institute for Freedom and Justice @IFJCanada]

JOIN US on Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern for a live webinar introducing our new Transparency & Accountability Project, a powerful tool designed to help Canadians better understand, track, and engage with issues that affect freedom, justice, and good governance. In this session, our team will walk you through how the platform works, demonstrate its key features, and show how you can use it to stay informed, hold decision-makers accountable, and take meaningful action. Scan the QR code or click the link below to SIGN UP! https://t.co/odDazul5Zs

@KarlDHarrison @ShaunRickard67
#GoodGovernance #Transparency #Accountability

[Institute for Freedom and Justice @IFJCanada]

We’re excited to launch the Transparency & Accountability Project—a new initiative focused on openness, integrity, and public trust.
🔎 Learn more: https://t.co/fCi7pA5ohM
#Transparency #Accountability #GoodGovernance

[The Democracy Fund @TDF_Can]

1/ Good morning, everyone. I’m Mark Joseph, litigation director for TDF. I’m at the Ottawa courthouse for the second day of sentencing in the Chris Barber & Tamara Lich trial. Both were convicted of mischief after 45 days of trial - the longest mischief trial in Canadian history. The Crown is seeking an unprecedented custodial sentence of 7 years in jail for Lich and 8 for Barber. It is expected that counsel for Lich, Lawrence Greenspon, will speak this morning, followed by a response from the Crown.

[Eva Chipiuk, BSc, LLB, LLM @echipiuk]

Recap of events in Canada this week, and it’s only Thursday!

In Ottawa, the sentencing hearing resumed for Tamara Lich and Chris Barber. After being found guilty of mischief earlier this year, the Crown is now seeking 7 years in prison for Tamara and 8 years for Chris.

The defence is calling this what it is: cruel and unusual punishment. They’re asking for leniency, including an absolute discharge for Chris, citing their lack of criminal records and the fact that this was a peaceful protest rooted in Charter-protected rights.

This was not a violent uprising. It was a protest sparked by unprecedented government overreach into personal autonomy. Yes, it was loud. Yes, it was disruptive. But blame lies squarely with elected officials and police for the massive mismanagement that let it escalate. Canadians were standing up to decisions that deeply affected their lives, livelihoods, and freedoms.

So how did a protest, resulting in minor criminal charges, turn into the threat of nearly a decade in prison?

Also this week, Parks Canada revoked permits for an American Christian musician set to perform at national historic sites. Why? “Public safety concerns” tied to his political views. Since when do affiliations justify cancelling music in public spaces?

Then, a man in Nova Scotia was removed from an Air Canada flight for wearing a T-shirt showing a real photo of former PM Trudeau in blackface. Offensive? Maybe. Illegal or untrue? No.

To top it off, the federal vaccine injury compensation program has now been exposed for what it really is: a bureaucratic nightmare and, frankly, a fraud on the people it was supposed to help. Years later, most injured Canadians still haven’t seen a cent.

And once again, RBC froze my bank accounts—citing vague “risk concerns.” Just like 2022. No charges. No hearing. No explanation.

This is not about whether you supported the protest or not. It is about principle. It is about fairness, due process, the rule of law and the kind of Canada we want to live in.

What kind of country is this becoming—and are we okay with it?

[Institute for Freedom and Justice @IFJCanada]

Amy Hamm: Courts must not allow Trudeau to get away with his self-serving prorogation
A Federal Court case will have profound implications for the future of our democracy

https://t.co/zPVun7I5UP

[Free to Fly @freetoflycanada]

“Shipping giant Purolator has lost its appeal of a judicial review of an arbitrator's decision ordering compensation for unvaccinated employees fired by the company”

https://t.co/Bni7PCIF6E

[Free to Fly @freetoflycanada]

⭐️BREAKING NEWS⭐️:

Representative plaintiffs in the aviation class action lawsuit have just received a favourable decision by Judge Crinson on the motion to strike, heard May of 2024:

The government's motion to strike was dismissed.

Decision: https://t.co/Cx4BeHXQBq

[Shaun Rickard @ShaunRickard67]

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If you would like to make a donation via e-transfer, please use this e-mail address: [email protected]

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[Institute for Freedom and Justice @IFJCanada]

@richellegorst @ShaunRickard67 Thank you Richelle, we greatly appreciate your support!

[Institute for Freedom and Justice @IFJCanada]

@tubelessready @ShaunRickard67 @ryangerritsen Thank you Lawny, we greatly appreciate your support!

[Institute for Freedom and Justice @IFJCanada]

@KISSJunkee @ShaunRickard67 Thank you KC we greatly appreciate your support! Everything helps!

[Institute for Freedom and Justice @IFJCanada]

@RayMcGinnis7 @ShaunRickard67 Thank you, your support is greatly appreciated!

[Institute for Freedom and Justice @IFJCanada]

@RealTruthWT @ShaunRickard67 Thank you, your support is greatly appreciated!