WCR This Week

Stephen Woodworth

There's a silent war going on in Canada, and fundamental freedoms are at stake, said a former MP.

"I'm here to tell you it no longer is a free nation for everyone," said lawyer and politician Stephen Woodworth.

"In the last five years, a new era has been entered in Canada, where public authorities deliberately choose to eradicate or suppress the freedoms that our ancestors fought, sacrificed and died to preserve."

Woodworth addressed 40 people June 1 in Christ the Redeemer Parish Hall.

"Anyone in this room who believes in freedom of speech, who believes in freedom of religion, who believes in freedom of association, who believes that law should be based on justice and truth . . . you are under attack," he said.

Woodworth suggested there's a denial of conscience rights when it comes to assisted suicide and a denial of freedom of religion and association when it comes to accrediting Trinity Western University law graduates, for example.

"No one is safe if we let powerful people trample upon the freedoms of any individual or group."

LOST ELECTION

Woodworth was the Conservative MP for Kitchener Centre from 2008-15. Last year, he lost his riding to Liberal MP Raj Saini and took up another cause, the Democracy Defence Initiative.

He believes a war on democracy, justice and freedom is being waged in his country.

"Today in Canada, tyranny has yet another face," he said, turning to assisted suicide.

Woodworth said the recommendations of the special parliamentary committee and the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons to deny conscience rights to medical professionals amounts to tyranny.

FOLLOWING ORDERS

In the Nuremburg trials after the Second World War, it was decided "it would no longer be an acceptable, legal excuse for committing an unconscionable act, a crime against humanity, to say you were 'just following orders,'" he said.

That worthy principle has a flip side many forget. "If 'just following orders' is no longer an excuse for doing something that you know to be against your conscience, it means no civil authority can legitimately order you to violate your conscience."

PRO-LIFE GROUPS MUZZLED

Woodworth also worried about slights against freedom of speech, including the muzzling of pro-life groups on post-secondary campuses.

"Today in Canada, state-funded university administrators deny or penalize free speech that they don't like."

In recent years, pro-life students have faced theft, vandalism, fines, handcuffs, trespassing charges, and legal battles for questioning abortion.

Young lawyer Shashika Stanislaus agreed.

"I really do believe that freedom of conscience is the next battleground when it comes to civil rights in Canada."