First Freedoms

A not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing freedom for all Canadians through public advocacy and litigation

Make a Donation

Get Involved

Politicization of The Supreme Court of Canada

Politicization of The Supreme Court of Canada

https://rumble.com/embed/v4haaxf/?pub=vs2ia Beat the censors; sign up for our newsletter: https://firstfreedoms.ca/call_to_action_pages/stay_informed/ In this video Barry presents his thoughts on the politicization of the Supreme Court of Canada. There is much...

First Freedoms

Justice Ivan Rand, in a 1953 Supreme Court of Canada case involving religious freedom in Quebec, described “freedom of speech, religion and the inviolability of the person” as “original freedoms which are at once the necessary attributes and modes of self-expression of human beings and the primary conditions of their community life within a legal order.” We refer to these “original freedoms” as “first freedoms” (with the view that freedom of religion is a subset of freedom of conscience). 

Freedom First

These freedoms are inherent and inalienable. They exist prior to the state. They can be recognized (or violated) by governments but they are not created through legislation or constitutions.

They are foundational. Other rights build on these freedoms. A functioning liberal democracy depends on free speech, freedom of conscience and religion, and respect for the inviolability of the person.

Justice and civil peace rest on the equal dignity and freedom of every human being, regardless of status, ability, political affiliation, race, age, sexuality, or creed.

About Our Non Profit

Who we are

Meet our team and learn more about our principles and our vision for Canada

WHAT WE DO

We are taking action to help Canadians discuss and defend freedom. Discover upcoming events, publications and more

MEDIA RESOURCES

Stay informed with our videos, podcasts, blog posts, and editorials

LEGAL ADVOCACY

Stand with us as we take on litigation to safeguard our foundational freedoms

Make a Donation

Stand with Us!

The Foundation is dedicated to defending liberty in practice as well as theory.

Depending on the situation, we are prepared to offer resources and provide legal support to those in need.

Get Involved

Featured Initiatives

Part Two: Age of Nihilism – Interview with Curtis McManus

Part Two: Age of Nihilism – Interview with Curtis McManus

Beat the censors, sign-up for our newsletter: https://firstfreedoms.ca/call_to_action_pages/stay_informed/ This is part two of a two-part interview with Curtis McManus, an author Curtis McManus, who skillfully navigates the complexities of our modern age.  As we delve...

Canadian Journal of First Freedoms: Call for Papers

Canadian Journal of First Freedoms: Call for Papers

In 1968, then-Minister of Justice Pierre Trudeau opined that “A constitutional bill of rights in Canada would guarantee the fundamental freedoms of the individual from interference, whether federal or provincial. It would as well...

Utopian Danger: Freedom Feature with Dr. Ryan Alford

Utopian Danger: Freedom Feature with Dr. Ryan Alford

Dr. Ryan Alford, Professor at the Bora Laskin School of Law, Lakehead University, joins Dr. Bussey for a remarkable Freedom Feature discussion, recorded on February 23. Author of Seven Absolute Rights: Recovering the Historical Foundations of Canada's Rule of Law...

Legal Cases:

Case Comment: Aga v. Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (2021)

Case Comment: Aga v. Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (2021)

The Supreme Court Got It Right in Extending The Wall Barry W. Bussey (note that an abbreviated version of this case comment was previously published by The Lawyer's Daily) In free and democratic societies, membership in a religious community is premised on freedom:...

Case Comment: Trinity Western University (2018)

Case Comment: Trinity Western University (2018)

Law Matters but Politics Matter More: The Supreme Court of Canada and Trinity Western University The following case comment was originally published in the Oxford Journal of Law and Religion 2018 7(3) Barry W. Bussey[1] The law on religious accommodation in Canada has...

Case Comment: Loyola High School (2015)

Case Comment: Loyola High School (2015)

The following is extracted from my chapter "Human Dignity Found in Religious Community," in The Inherence of Human Dignity Vol. 2: Law and Religious Liberty, edited by Barry W. Bussey and Angus J. L. Menuge (Anthem Press, 2021). In 2008 the province of Quebec...

Featured Upcoming Events:

Diefenbaker Freedom Lecture

Diefenbaker Freedom Lecture

A Free Society Makes Constitutional Rights Meaningful Professor Ryan Alford November 10, 2022, at 7:00pm at St. Peter's St. Paul's Anglican Church, 152 Metcalfe Street, Ottawa. Augustine College and First Freedoms are pleased to announce the 2022 Weston-Diefenbaker...

Publications:

Fighting for a Better Ontario

Fighting for a Better Ontario

Beat the censors; sign up for our newsletter: https://firstfreedoms.ca/call_to_action_pages/stay_informed/ “We have to make sure that we’re open for market-dominated economics and not just pay for whatever the latest trend is.” – Derek Sloan The Ontario Party was...

Defend Freedom for Yourself and Others

Make your Donation Today!

Our Top Priorities

The original freedoms are inherent and inalienable. Other rights build on these freedoms. A peaceful and prosperous liberal democracy depends on free speech, freedom of conscience and religion, and respect for the inviolability of the person.

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

“Freedom in thought and speech and disagreement in ideas and beliefs, on every conceivable subject, are of the essence of our life.” (Justice Rand)

FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE

“An emphasis on individual conscience and individual judgment also lies at the heart of our democratic political tradition” (Justice Dickson)

Inviolability of the Person

“Freedom must surely be founded in respect for the inherent dignity and the inviolable rights of the human person” (Justice Dickson)

“Freedom of conscience is the cornerstone of our most cherished freedoms. Logically, this position leads to the bold assertion that meaningful manifestations of all other civil liberties would be jeopardized if freedom of conscience were diminished.

Indeed, to remove freedom of conscience is to deal a battering-ram blow to the liberal democratic ideals that support all human rights protections. “

- Barry W. Bussey

Watch a Message About Our Foundation

Share your Story

Have your Fundamental Freedoms been Violated?

Tell us about your Experiences.

Share your Skills

Use your Expertise to Make a Difference