The defence of every individual's freedom to make decisions for his or her self requires that we have laws that defend that freedom to choose. Laws, not edicts, declarations, or orders. In a democracy (demos: people, kratos: power), the source of a government's power is the people it serves. All of the legal powers a government has are delegated to it by the people it governs. In a democracy, a government has no legitimate authority to do that which, if done by one of the governed, would constitute a crime or other violation of an individual's life, liberty, or property. 

The recent history of the leadership of Premier Doug Ford, particularly during the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, has demonstrated why the government's emergency powers - powers to make and enforce rules and commandments on the fly, without first debating and passing laws in the Ontario Legislature - must be eliminated.

The Ford government's decision to enforce lockdowns, close businesses deemed "non-essential", and restrict gatherings was a clear demonstration of how emergency powers can be used to curtail personal liberties and economic freedoms. These measures were implemented with the stroke of a pen, without regard to the constitutional limits placed upon our governments by Canada's constitution, including the Charter of Rights and Freedoms; without the approval of the Legislature; without the making of laws:

• The government expanded police powers to enforce "public health" edicts, including the power to demand personal information from citizens.
  
  
• The mandate for mask-wearing in public and the implementation of vaccine passports (or, more generally, "digital IDs") infringed upon individual freedom and privacy. These orders were enforced as emergency measures, bypassing traditional legislative debate and public consent; bypassing, in short, democracy.
  
  
• The closure of schools, shifting to online learning, and the enforcement of mask policies in educational settings disrupted our childrens' learning and social interaction.

Ford Now Equating U.S. Tariffs with Pandemics

Premier Ford's recent comparison of former President Trump's threatened 25% tariff to a "pandemic" is alarming. His rhetoric suggests a willingness to misuse the term ‘emergency' for political gain, further eroding trust in the government's ability to use emergency powers without violating individual freedom. If U.S. tariffs can be framed as emergencies - as opportunities to dispense with democratic law-making and arrogate to the Premier the power to rule - then what prevents future governments from using similar justifications for any policy they deem urgent? 

The Rule of Law in Difficult Times

Demcracy and the rule of law is most crucial during crises because times of crisis are times when popular pressure is most likely to lead a government to take actions that violate the lives, liberty, or property of individuals. Without emergency powers, governments in a time of crisis must work within existing legal frameworks, ensuring that any response to an emergency is measured, debated, and legally sound, thus protecting individuals from arbitrary or excessive government action. By eliminating the government's ability to sideline the legislature, we reinforce public trust in our public institutions. 

Freedom Party's Pro-democratic Plan

A Freedom government will repeal all legislative provisions that permit the provincial government, or a regional or muncipal government, to exercise emergency powers. It will introduce reforms that ensure all government actions are subject to the full scrutiny of the legislative process, including public input, to defend individual in Ontario against the abuse of governmental power. It will restore and safeguard the freedom and democracy upon which our society is founded.