The Two Scholars Have Responded And I have Again—Read Below :

Chers monsieur Peckford:

Merci pour vos commentaires. David Leis was kind enough to forward your thoughtful comments to us. My colleague Jeff wrote the excellent message below in response, a message I fully agree with:

“Thank you for your thoughtful comments to the article Michel and I wrote last week.

There’s a war story about BG Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., oldest American to land at Normandy. As Canadians land at Juno and make contact with the 12th SS Panzer Division, Roosevelt lands at Utah to lead his troops into the thick of fire. After realising that the Americans missed their assigned landing spot, he proclaims, “We’ll start the war from right here!” You gotta begin somewhere.

We wrote the article in equal parts frustration and hope—frustration that we are in this national malaise due to unforced errors and self-owns, and hopeful that we have both capability and capacity to get out of. But the heavy work for Canadians is the will to do so. Both Trudeau eras beat us down but they did not break us.

I can’t speak to the lamentable decline of religious life across the West but share your sentiment that, with its evaporation, we are the worse off for it. The guardrail that Judeo-Christian principles gave to our society have enriched us immeasurably and I would not be surprised if they were to make a return in the coming decades.

Overall, your comments speak to a need for getting back to basics—getting the fundamentals of citizenship right again or at least revisiting them with renewed vigour. Courts need to interpret law, not make it. The public service is not a job placement office. And international agreements eroding sovereignty—well, we need Canadian leaders who understand that essential point.

I’m not sure there was a time when politicians didn’t have a streak of Tabarin in them, but it appears that violations of laws and norms are happening with increasing frequency and brazenness. Again, I suspect people yearn for leaders being held to account and serving as exemplars for all—but not sure how we inculcate these values in our current education systems and especially as other civic organisations are not filling the void like they used to.

Last point: Michel and I are optimists; we believe Canadians will rise to the occasion—too many of them have expressed to us deep concern about Canada’s direction and desire to right the ship. It’s a national effort that only starts at the political level; growing into the best version of Canada takes leadership and teamwork—across regions, communities, and almost every other divide imaginable. Indeed, the most important decisions about the future of our country will be around the kitchen table, not in Parliament. We hope that our article ignites more than a few of those conversations.

Sincerely, Jeffrey Reynolds”

We sincerely appreciate your comments and hope we can rally Canadians to realise the potential this country possesses.

Best regards,

J.O.Michel Maisonneuve

Lieutenant-général(ret)

Author “In Defence of Canada: Reflections of a Patriot”

Dear Michel and Jeffrey:

Thank you for responding to my article concerning your piece in the National Post. I have not heard from the paper. 

The leaders of the major federal political parties were written about conflict of interest reform. Never heard back. And wrote them about their COVID Position . Never heard back.

There is no indication that any of the Governments, Federal, Provincial , Territorial are a bit interested in investigating their part in the unconstitutional mandates and lockdowns . Many died and others injured as a result. Yet, no accountability. These Governments violated the ‘ demonstrably justify’ provisions of the Charter , Section One not to the mention the brazen exclusion of the opening words of the Charter

The stories of Dr. Jordan  Peterson , Dr. Byram Bridle , Dr. Charles Hoffe , and Dr. Roger Hodkinson are blatant proof of the failure of our system. And those of Tamara Leich and  Chris Barber! What about Shelia Annette Lewis? 

I have heard from scores of Canadians from all parts of the country about the indignities they have had to endure. In my own case a University and a high school refused to allow me to speak , such events organized by the students , teachers and parents. The Press evaded my views and still do.  However, evangelical Christians allowed me to speak in their Churches. 

These are not stories that occur in a democracy.

Hence,  sadly I do not share your optimism. The distain for independent science, and civil rights is breathtaking. 

I lived my whole life an optimist: as a student, social worker , teacher, legislator and businessman .  But the last several years have left me aghast at the dishonesty prevalent throughout our society, the falling quality of education and health and the corrupt governance practices everywhere, a moral compass absent from the public square. 

It is likely that the depth and extent of our malaise ,as I see it , is far greater than what you see. Most particularly the ruling class including the judiciary have shown such distain for basic individual rights that it is no wonder our new PM looks to western Europe where such distain is already rampant.

However , I am grateful that you do recognize that there is a deep, national problem and that , unlike our political leaders , you took the time to respond.

Hon. A. Brian Peckford