Trudeau’s China-Style Internet Laws

BY MICHAEL THOMAS

Justin Trudeau’s government is moving full throttle ahead to put an end to what it calls misinformation and disinformation online in Canada.

Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault, has released the so-called blueprint of diversity on online content to assist reporters in doing their jobs correctly and help them to fight fake-news.

Here is what he had to say about their new rules, “We can no longer ignore the challenges and opportunities that come with an increasingly digital world. We have to act now to ensure a healthy ecosystem online for all citizens.

Any measure to address disinformation and misinformation should ensure respect for the right to freedom of expression,” the statement said.

The definition of misinformation, per the guide, is “False or misleading content shared without harmful intent though the effects can still be harmful, e.g. when people share false information with friends and family in good faith.”

Even though enforcement details were not discussed, the government stipulates that “Ethical journalism standards should be upheld and encouraged.” It also said that “Information about media ownership and funding sources should be made accessible to the public and transparent to safeguard a diverse and pluralistic media ecosystem.”

Guilbeault who is a supporter of Bill C-10 also blamed the conservative party for the weeks of what he called delay in passing this bill which he wanted passed as soon as possible.

While on the subject of this “China-style bill” one government official had this to say to Canadians, “That said, it is only the beginning of your fight. While your efforts to sign petitions, contact politicians and raise your voice worked this time, you’ll need to do it again.”

Those were the words of MP Pierre Poilievre (PC-Carleton) who released a video where he announced that Bill C-10, the controversial bill that would have regulated Canadians’ content online, has failed to pass through the Senate before summer break.

“We did it! We won a battle for freedom of expression!” Poilievre announced. “Remember Bill C-10, the censorship bill that would allow governments to control what you see and say online? Well, the Senate closed its doors for the summer without passing that bill.”

Poilievre had some comforting words for Canadians and some not so comforting advice for Canada’s PM, “In other words, it is not the law today, and if Trudeau calls that early election he’s been warning about, then the bill will die. Even if he wins that election, he’d have to re-introduce the bill from the very first stage and start all over again.

If he loses and Conservatives take office, we’ll make sure this bill never again sees the light of day,” Poilievre vowed.

With all that is happening across the globe these days when one measures it up, something just does not fit and this leaves folks in countries like the US asking the question why.

Why is the government of this country so hell-bent on shoving things down the throats of Canadians without any thought of how these dictatorial moves will affect the people?

As to why all this is happening to Canadians? American political commentator Dave Rubin said it best, “I love Canada,” he said, “I think Canadians are so pleasant and fun and light and that is what the government is using against them in some ways. You guys are very decent and very live and let live. What I am seeing about the lockdowns in Montreal is just insane. I have friends there and I see what’s going on.”

Rubin had some well-founded advice for Canadians and it was that they all should stand up to this tyranny and just do not comply in any way, shape or form because there is strength in numbers which is well known by any and every oppressor or oppressors. They may make an example of a few, but they can never make any example of millions who stand for freedom.

“It might be,” Rubin said, “that the sun is setting on what a truly free Canada looks like that’s what it looks like to me, I mean you’ve got an absolutely ridiculous clown of a Prime Minister in Justin Trudeau who is more than happy to use the levers of power to silence his own people.”