The this is a, this is a surreal moment for me. When I think back to two years ago, this was not part of my life plan that’s for certain. I, ironically enough, similar to Dr. Danesi, losing her job over a violation of what she held to be her ethics. I’m about to lose mine. And my primary responsibility for the last eight years was supporting protection of our prime minister.
The irony is not lost on me and probably not lost on him either. As I mentioned earlier, I’ve been a Mountie for roughly 15 years. And as a Mountie, I always felt it was very important that I know what my legal authorities are. And that police officers should know exactly what authority they have to do what they do.
So I’ve spent a fair amount of time researching the different legislation surrounding what we’re currently dealing with. And two things that I’ve thought I’d like to mention that stood out to me when reviewing the emergency management and Civil Protection Act in Ontario. And the federal emergencies Act is that both of those very early on in the legislation have subsections, that detail how both are subject to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
And I would like to just read the paragraph three of the emergencies act to you.
Whereas the governor and council and taking such special temporary measure measures would be subject to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in the Canadian Bill of Rights, and must have regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, particularly with respect to those fundamental rights that are not to be limited or abridged, even in a national emergency. So, throughout my career, and my training, everything we do, has to be guided by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, whether it is involving investigation, or even a lawful arrest, which can lead to use of force. If we wander outside the boundaries of the charter, you can lose a case, even a very serious one, such as a homicide. Or we can get ourselves into some real trouble. If we use force on someone and it’s not justified under the charter.
The charter guarantees our rights and freedoms the most fundamental and it is subject only to reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.
I recently heard from former Premier of Newfoundland, Brian Pickford say very clearly, that they have failed to demonstrably justify their infringement on our fundamental freedoms. The fundamental freedoms include conscience and religion, thought, belief, opinion and expression, peaceful assembly and association. There’s many, but I’ll hit on the key ones that I think are germane to the current situation, or mobility rights where every citizen has the right to enter or remain in and leave Canada.
Our legal rights, everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person and the right not to be deprived thereof, except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.
Section Eight, everyone has the right to be secure against unreasonable search or seizure. That’s a big one in the police world. And when I read that, I can’t help but think of people who are not even law enforcement, demanding your private medical information at the door of a hockey rink. What legal authority do they have to demand that information from you?
I certainly never had any training or direction in my law enforcement career that indicated to me that I had the right to demand that from someone. In fact, if I wanted to get medical information from a victim of a crime, I had to obtain written consent to deliver to the hospital. Or I had to obtain it by a warrant for a suspect, who was potentially involved in a serious, violent crime. And the criteria to obtain a DNA warrant, which I have done in my career is extremely high the criteria and you have to follow very specific measure measures and steps in order to obtain the DNA lawfully so that the courts will accept it as admissible.
Everyone has the right not to be arbitrarily detained or imprisoned. So when I read about the secure isolation facility in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, that was very concerning to me detailed about how it is meant for people who willfully do not abide by their quarantine, when they are deemed contagious, but very little detail as to what criteria and who is making the decision about who is contagious? Is it someone who’s actually sick and symptomatic? Or is it someone who’s completely asymptomatic with a positive test, I wasn’t able to find out
Every individual is equal before and under the law.
He has the right to equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination.
And finally, the most important in my mind is section 52, where it clearly states that the Constitution
can’t believe Piper is the supreme law of Canada. So I’d like to read my oath of office that I took 15 years ago.
I Daniel Bulford, solemnly swear That I will faithfully diligently and impartially execute and perform the duties required of me as a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and will well and truly obey and perform all lawful orders and instructions that I received, as such without fear or favor or affection of or toward any person, so help me God.
I cannot be compliant or complicit with federal policies and provincial regulations that I sincerely believe to be unlawful by every measure. My analysis of the evidence provided by the government, public health mainstream media, as opposed to what I have found from the Canadian COVID Care Alliance FLCC, global COVID summit.org.
It’s a no contest in relation to the detail, reliability and the ability to corroborate. It is certainly not the case that the official narrative has demonstrably justified a gigantic overreach into the fundamental freedoms of every citizen of this country. The RCMP is purpose. You can read this right off of that RCMP website. From coast to coast to coast. At the community, provincial and territorial and federal levels.
We work to prevent crime, enforce the law. We know that the supreme law of this country is the constitution. We investigate offenses. I can’t help but wonder, perhaps offenses of intimidation to our physicians and our scientists and knowingly withholding life saving treatment from 1000s of Canadians and millions of people globally. We are to keep Canadians in their interests safe and secure. All Canadians not just a select few. We are to assist Canadians in emergency situations and incidents. So in the context of the pandemic, I’ve seen us intimidate and arrest Canadians as opposed to assisting them. We’ve all seen videos look at our own history. Other stains on Canada and the RCMP in particular things that we have been a part of carrying out so called the lawful orders.
Orders remove children from their homes to satisfy a government conformity Initiative, or the registration and internment of Japanese Canadians during World War Two. We’re not immune to the stains of history. And I fear we may be repeating past mistakes. In our open letter, under the heading call to action to Commissioner lucky, we have asked her to direct investigators to determine if any criminal acts have been committed in the dissemination of information from federal and provincial health authorities or public figures in positions of trust, thereby putting Canadian lives at risk. To expand on that, I’d like to talk to you about some key points that I recently reviewed from Commissioner Lucky’s mandate letter that she received from Minister Goodale via the prime minister’s office in Ottawa may 7 2018. Paragraph one, RCMP is responsible to keep Canadians safe and safeguard Canadians rights and freedoms in an open, inclusive and democratic society.
Paragraph two section five sub one of the RCMP Act ensures the commissioner has control and management of the RCMP and all matters connected to the force. And it’s quoted. I want to be clear. The Government of Canada recognizes and respects police independence of the RCMP and exercise of police powers in criminal investigations. paragraph four ensure the RCMP has managed efficiently and effectively focus on appropriate priorities while keeping Canadians safe and protecting our civil liberties.
Paragraph 10 At best, the RCMP at their best partly at their best. The RCMP embodies what Canada and Canadians aspire to be upstanding, loyal and committed to the pursuit of justice. How can we pursue justice without fully understanding both sides of this argument with a complete censorship and suppression of both sides of one side of this argument? On loyalty, I would say this. We must not confuse descent with this loyalty. We must remember always that accusation is not proof. And that conviction depends upon evidence and due process of law. We will not walk in fear one of another.
We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason. If we dig deep in our history and doctrine, and remember that we are not descended from fearful people, not from people who fear to write speak sociate and defend causes that were for the moment unpopular. That’s Edward R. Murrow.
Finally, in paragraph 11 of her mandate letter, RCMP must be modern, reflective of Canadian values and culture must have the trust, confidence and support of those that we serve.
I feel that we have detracted so far from the values and culture that formed the core of what it means to be a Canadian. That belief in ourselves that we are humble, welcoming, fair and compassionate people.
When I reflect on these past months, I even recognize that same failure and myself we are divided with both sides angry and fearful of each other. And how much worse this will get. Our language has been used to divide Canada into an us versus them mindset, the responsible versus that you’re responsible. The anti vaxxers versus the sheep for hateful things have been said on both sides, and relationships have been damaged, perhaps beyond repair. We all have our we all have to own the role we have played in the degeneration of our society through compliance, silence, fear, anger, and resentment. We cannot continue to allow this decline toward a further divided increasingly authoritarian state. We need to communicate honestly and courageously. To make our perspective heard, so that others may be given the opportunity to understand
if others have not sought out both sides of the argument, it’s no wonder they think and believe what they do. It is time to be strong in mind and body and in character. It will require sacrifice and preparation. The sacrifice will be of the comfort and the security that can be found in remaining silent. It’s difficult to have discussions with people who disagree on such a contentious issue.
That’s a good place to start. Courage takes practice. If you’re actively exercising peaceful non compliance go with the group if possible.
There is strength in numbers. It will be hard and awkward and very uncomfortable at times. However, if we continue to allow this unchecked by our silence and compliance, then the failure to affect change is on our shoulders. We can live up to the anthem, the True North strong and free. I have drawn my line in the sand. No more silence and compliance for me. Life will not be the normal of before relationships, careers will be sacrificed. But we will learn who we can rely on. My mother in law was here tonight said to me last night. We don’t need to be loved by everyone. So long as we’re truly loved by the few that matter most.
I get asked all the time why I’m doing this. It’s not about keeping my job anymore. I’m prepared to walk away from that if that’s what needs to be done.
I can’t serve another day doing what I did before. It’s for everybody else in the future of our children.
Those three little people over there the time to be strong. It’s now many mornings. I didn’t want to get out of bed. Last couple months. I kept telling myself your kids need you. Your family needs you be strong for them. Now’s the time. I’ll close with slightly adapted quote from the great Denzel Washington. adapted for the venue even people close to you will talk trash when you’re breaking generational curses. This ain’t for the weak. Thank you
