A Canadian man running in an upcoming local election in Canada said to me:
“Whatever you do, don't copy Canada!”
I have just come back from a meeting in London with lawyers and policy experts from across commonwealth nations.
Friend... our friends are sick.
When it comes to civil liberties, our allies are unwell and we are NOT immune to the disease that has suffocated their freedoms.
I hear of many stories where freedom was under threat.
I learned that in Australia, the eSafety Commissioner had attempted to censor an online post criticizing gender ideology.
Today, the Australian government is seeking even more powers for this internet censorship body…
In Canada, medically assisted suicide accounted for 5% of all deaths in 2024.
Recent reports show an even more harrowing numbers with certain parts of the country having the number at 1 in 10…
One report noted that “Ontario’s euthanasia regulators have tracked 428 cases of possible criminal violations - and not referred a single case to law enforcement...”
In Europe and the UK, the term “Censorship Industrial Complex” is common language.
It refers to the web of police policies, hate speech and hate crime laws, and digital safety legislation imposed across a series of domestic and international courts.
A complex web to navigate for those who wish to speak freely.
A Finish MP has been dragged through the courts for some years now for posting a bible verse online in 2019. The case is still active...
Legislation like the EU’s Digital Services Act and the UK’s Online Safety Act enable digital censorship.
I even heard of an ongoing case where an elderly lady is being dragged through the courts for silent prayer.
Friend, I could go on with stories where individual rights have been trampled upon by short sighted policy makers, ill trained law enforcement, and ideologically motivated politicians.
What worries me is this:
New Zealand’s politicians, public servants, and policy makers are looking to these countries as examples to follow!
For example, National, Labour, and the Greens are deadest on introducing some form of online regulation that resembles that of Australia, Europe and the UK.
At the same time, a Bill sponsored an ACT MP is proposing amendments to our euthanasia legislation that resembles policies currently being practiced in Canada.
Friend, bad ideas are contagious and consequential, producing victims as opposed to good outcomes.
I remain uncertain as to whether our country is heeding the advice from my Canadian friend - “…do not copy us!”
We are not immune to the illness that has infiltrated our allies.
Our best bet against such threats is responsible citizenship, active participation in our democratic institutions and the courage of our convictions.
PILLAR’s role is to lead the charge in fighting for and preserving our freedoms in our courtrooms, across our media, and within the halls of Parliament.
Ultimately, however, the preservation of our freedoms will not be possible without your responsible engagement.
Friend, if you possess the truth, speak it.
Speak it before it is too late.
