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If you were to look down on Earth from space, you would see the drastic difference between two countries that once shared a common story. One country brims with light, radiant from its vibrant and bustling cities. The other is cloaked in utter darkness, dormant and cold. 


Both countries started from much the same place, sharing a common history. Both experienced the fires of war and upheaval and were left with the task of reconstructing from rubble. However, the two countries chose very different paths forward.


The country to the north has chosen a path of isolation where the government is the master and people are pawns in the hands of a totalitarian dictator. The country to the south has chosen a democratic approach and the government empowers the people with education, freedom, and opportunity.


These countries are North Korea and South Korea.


After the Korean War came to a stop in 1953, each side had to choose a way forward, and the economic outcomes of their choices could not be more different.


North Korea does not generate enough electricity for each home to have a refrigerator, nor enough food to keep citizens well-fed. This is the result of a heavy-fisted military dictatorship that has robbed the people of the chance to pursue an education, capitalize on opportunity, and advance the economic wellbeing of their families and country.


Meanwhile, South Korea enjoys one of the world’s most advanced economies and is home to some of the world’s top brands, such as Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor Company. Those who call South Korea home, enjoy access to education, high-paying jobs, and boundless opportunity to be innovative and entrepreneurial. South Korea hosted the Summer Olympic Games in 1988 and the Winter Olympic Games in 2018.


The stark difference between these countries is the result of two very different leadership styles.


Leadership matters.


When leaders believe in their people and generate opportunity for them to use their gifts, talents, and abilities to prosper themselves, amazing things happen. But the opposite is also true. When leaders stifle their people and refuse to let them reach their full potential, the whole country suffers.


Throughout 2023 I had the privilege of speaking with many of you and I heard a combination of disappointment and frustration with the present, along with anticipation and hope for the future.


While many are angry about the current government’s ever-rising punitive carbon tax, the sky-rocketing cost of living, and Prime Minister Trudeau’s divisive political games, I also heard from those who want to build businesses, invent new technologies, help the less fortunate, and improve our society in new and creative ways.


You see, the Canadian people are alive and well. They just need a leader who will grant them freedom and opportunity—the lifeblood of this country’s democracy.


Imagine what Canada would look like in five or ten years from now if the leaders of this country put the people before government. Imagine what it would look like if agriculture was championed, energy was developed and stewarded, and a business-friendly environment was generated. Imagine what it would look like if the carbon tax was scrapped, a cart full of groceries was easily affordable, and our communities were safe.


This is the type of Canada we can create, not through more taxation, increased regulation, and pitting one region of our country against another, but by having a leader who believes in the commonsense of the common people and who grants them the freedom to succeed.


Leadership matters.

Imagine you are making a big purchase and have hired a lawyer to negotiate the terms for you. You make your expectations known and your lawyer promises he can get everything you have requested. As part of the process, your lawyer goes into a backroom with the seller’s lawyer and agrees to all his terms, while achieving none of yours. The two suited men eventually emerge in a jovial manner and announce their meeting was successful. Your lawyer has the audacity to claim you got the best deal possible.


This is the scenario that just played out in the Canadian news sector.


When the federal government announced bill C-18, the Online News Act, the minister claimed it would rescue news in Canada by fixing “a commercial and power imbalance between tech giants and our news media sector.


To equalise the playing field, META and Google would be forced to pay for sharing news links. The minister claimed more than $150 million would be generated for the Canadian news sector.


The Liberals touted it as the law that would “save” the news sector and provide greater access and choice to Canadians. The government claimed it would especially help local newspapers, independent outlets, and cultural media.


The response from tech giants ranged from bad to worse. META flat-out rejected the premise of the bill and pulled news links from Instagram and Facebook months ago.

Google threatened to do the same unless the government bent to the web giant’s terms: a maximum $100 million spend and one contract with a collective of news businesses of Google’s choosing.


In public, the government puffed its chest and refused to budge, but when Google dug in its feet, the government conceded and the two parties entered into a backroom deal.


On November 29th they emerged to announce their agreement. Notably, all of Google’s demands were granted.


So much for correcting the power imbalance caused by big tech.

First, it is important to point out that Google is not signing onto bill C-18. The government is granting the platform an exemption, which means bill C-18 is an absolute failure. The bill was meant to collect money from two platforms—META and Google. META walked away and Google is now exempted.


Second, Google demanded a maximum spend of $100 million and they got it.


Thirdly, Google demanded they would enter into only one contract with a collective of their choosing and the government caved. In other words, big tech will dictate which news outlets get support and which ones do not. Does that sound like holding big tech accountable or “leveling the playing field” to you?


The deal announced on Thursday is one that affirms big tech’s power, rather than “balancing it.”


And what about news outlets? How do they fair?


The government promised that bill C-18 would result in $150 million. They have come up $50 million short.

The government promised bill C-18 would protect local news. Instead, one-third of the money will go to the CBC, which already receives $1.4 billion from taxpayers, the next largest wad of cash will be split between Bell, Rogers, and Corus, and the small pittance left over will be divvyed up between newspapers and local or cultural media.


Does this sound like a win for local news to you?


The government promised protection for small news outlets and more choice in news for Canadians.


The government failed on all accounts.

Having emerged from the backroom, the government would like small, local, and cultural news outlets to sing its praises, as if victory has been achieved.


In fact, big government and big tech have colluded to save big broadcasters.



“We Stand on Guard for Thee” is not just a line from our National Anthem. It represents the tremendous sacrifice made by members of the Canadian Armed Forces for the mission of freedom and prosperity. On November 11th every year, we call to mind the legacy of our veterans and pause to show our gratitude for those who gave so much.

In the 156 years of the Dominion of Canada, our brave men and women have answered the call to selflessly serve our country time and time again.

From demonstrating immense bravery during World War I, to the more recent war in Afghanistan and active participation in peacekeeping missions abroad, members of the Canadian Armed Forces have contended for freedom and democracy with unrelenting commitment.

On Remembrance Day, we pause to remember and honour the sacrifice of those in uniform.

We remember they entered the most harrowing conditions to win for us the most precious of things – freedom.

Freedom means the government serves the people, not the other way around.

Our veterans fought against authoritarianism and won.

When a nation is anchored in freedom and democracy is upheld, people can elect representatives and hold them accountable. This accountability in turn brings stability, a key ingredient to human flourishing.

Thanks to our veterans, Canadians have the freedom to pursue opportunity, prosper, and enjoy fulfilling lives.

There are real consequences in forgetting the values for which our service men and women fought and died. Governments will always be tempted to overpower their people, but it is only when people remember the value of freedom that they can maintain it.


President Ronald Reagan said "freedom is a fragile thing and its never more than a generation away from extinction. It is not ours by way of inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation."


Lest we forget the reason so many sacrificed their lives.

Many dictators have made promises of freedom and while dictators may be free themselves, they will always enslave those under their rule.

When we honour our veterans, we honour how they bought and maintained the liberties we enjoy today.

The people of Lethbridge have their own special legacy worth calling to mind. In the First World War, one in five people in Lethbridge enlisted to serve, but 261 men never came home. 

Every fall, I look forward to seeing Lethbridge’s "Salute our Veterans Project," where we fly banners on light posts throughout Lethbridge as a heartfelt tribute to the brave women and men who have served our nation.

We will remember them.


Remembrance does not glorify war. It honours the women and men who gave up everything so we could enjoy abundance.


The red poppy acts as a powerful sign of remembrance and hope for a peaceful future.

In the centre of town is the Lethbridge War Memorial, and on it are the words “They Have Passed in Leaving the Heritage of Glorious Memory.” Freedom has been bought for us by those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and is maintained by those who still answer the call to service.

Lest we forget.


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