Stories

True, Strong and Free: Fixing Canada’s Constitution

John Robson
October 25, 2016
An idea that was born as an article in the Fall 2014 edition of C2C Journal has been made into a video documentary by its author, John Robson. True, Strong and Free: Fixing Canada’s Constitution explains how the solid constitutional framework we inherited from Great Britain was undone by the “botched” amendments of 1982. In defiance of the current political and media consensus that it’s too difficult and dangerous to reopen the constitution, Robson makes a compelling argument that it can and must be reopened to repair the damage to our parliamentary democracy.
Stories

True, Strong and Free: Fixing Canada’s Constitution

John Robson
October 25, 2016
An idea that was born as an article in the Fall 2014 edition of C2C Journal has been made into a video documentary by its author, John Robson. True, Strong and Free: Fixing Canada’s Constitution explains how the solid constitutional framework we inherited from Great Britain was undone by the “botched” amendments of 1982. In defiance of the current political and media consensus that it’s too difficult and dangerous to reopen the constitution, Robson makes a compelling argument that it can and must be reopened to repair the damage to our parliamentary democracy.
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter

An idea that was born as an article in the Fall 2014 edition of C2C Journal has been made into a video documentary by its author, John Robson.

True, Strong and Free: Fixing Canada’s Constitution explains how the solid constitutional framework we inherited from Great Britain was undone by the “botched” amendments of 1982.

In defiance of the current political and media consensus that it’s too difficult and dangerous to reopen the constitution, Robson makes a compelling argument that it can and must be reopened to repair the damage to our parliamentary democracy.

True, Strong and Free: Fixing Canada’s Constitution is now available to watch online for free:

Love C2C Journal? Here's how you can help us grow.

More for you

Beyond the Tantrum: Canadian Self-Determination Demands More Than Anti-Americanism

With another Canada Day having passed, it’s a good time to reflect on the patriotic fervour sweeping the country. In P.M. Szpunar’s estimation, much of it is nothing to be proud of. From performative “Buy Canadian” campaigns to booing U.S. children on visiting sports teams, too many Canadians have responded to American swagger with self-righteous sneering, assuring themselves their country is wiser, kinder and more civilized. This even as the southward flow of Canadian money, talent and innovation accelerates. Self-indulgent anti-Americanism is not just lazy and immature, argues Szpunar, it’s counter-productive, distracting Canadians from the real work of addressing our own weaknesses and rebuilding our strengths. A serious country should want better.

“We hold these truths”: The U.S. Declaration of Independence at 250

As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, it is worth taking a fresh look at the U.S. Declaration of Independence to rediscover how the principles embedded in this foundational document have provided the basis of a free society for a quarter-millennium. More than just a demand for freedom, and no mere list of grievances, David W. Livingstone regards the Declaration as a work of genius that speaks to all of humanity. In the worldview it propounds, human equality comes first, individual rights are intrinsic to that principle, and governments don’t “grant” rights but instead are formed to protect rights that every person already holds. The “truths” that America’s Founders proclaimed to be “self-evident”, Livingstone writes, have endured because they are true – and will continue to shine as a beacon for all.

The Hands-On Future: Skilled Trades, Data Centres and Canada’s Big AI Opportunity

Whether Canadians fear or favour artificial intelligence, they can’t stop it. AI’s transformative power in making so many things faster and easier will doubtless cause pain, says veteran Canadian business leader Gwyn Morgan, but it will also provide generational opportunities Canada must seize. The Prairie region, especially, has the abundant land and energy needed to build the massive AI data centres that will power the future. Some workers are at risk, Morgan concedes, but AI will create opportunities as well, particularly in the skilled trades. AI might just transform our labour force into one where more workers do real things for real people.

More from this author

Hot Ticket: My Role in the (Coming) Downfall of Speed Cameras

“La révolution est dans la rue,” as the excitable French like to say. The same holds true in placid Canada. After receiving four photo radar tickets for going just slightly over the speed limit in Ottawa, John Robson declares the current proliferation of automated speed cameras to be a revolution in how Canada’s streets are policed, and an outrageous violation of the principles of fundamental justice. Robson is not alone in his outrage. While Ontario cities eagerly embrace these cash-hungry Robocops – one municipality expects to issue at least one ticket per year to every local driver – the masses are pushing back. In Alberta, for example, the “photo radar cash cow” is already on its way to the slaughterhouse. Robson’s denunciation of speed camera tyranny offers a manifesto for drivers everywhere.

Mob Rule on Pipelines and Grizzly Hunting

There was a time in “the true North strong and free” you could follow your dreams as long as you didn’t hurt other people. Then came “social licence” and suddenly, from energy pipelines to the B.C. grizzly bear hunt, things got banned for being unpopular, a.k.a. “socially unacceptable”. That ominous change sets Canada on the well-worn path to the tyranny of the majority, writes John Robson.

Sir John A. Vs. the Vandals Redux

Our self-appointed cultural guardians have once again targeted a statue of Sir John A. Macdonald in Charlottetown. To them, Canada’s first Prime Minister fails to meet today’s pristine moral standards and so must be sent down the memory-hole. John Robson thinks Canadians need the confident humility that comes of knowing flawed people can still be giants.