In Canada, we believe in protecting the strength of our democracy.

We know that in order for our democracy to be truly strong, we need more than just elections and political participation. We need to protect our right to free speech, including the rights to advocacy, dissent, and democratic space. We need to ensure that the voices of all Canadians are heard and respected, especially when we disagree with the government, whether we speak as individuals, organizations, or the institutions for knowledge on which good government depends.

If the right to free speech in dissent and advocacy is not respected, and the voices of Canadians are silenced, the government cannot be held responsible to uphold key democratic principles, such as the responsibilities to remain transparent, to treat all citizens equally, and to represent the will of the people.

In recent years, successive governments have not respected the right to free speech in terms of advocacy, dissent and respect for democratic space.

Organizations that raise their voices against government decisions are targeted with political appointments, funding cuts, stonewalling, unjustified criticism, and general disrespect.

Individuals who raise their voices against government decisions are targeted with dismissals, non-renewals, threats, derision, and contempt.

Institutions for knowledge that shine critical light on the government's agenda are targeted with orders to remain silent, bureaucratic red tape, restrictions on access to the media, inappropriate appointments, public misrepresentation, sabotage of critical tools like the mandatory long-form census, and other impediments to effectively fulfilling their duties.

Consequently, there has been a deterioration of our democracy, including adverse effects on government transparency, on our right to equality, and on the extent to which the government acts in the public interest.

The Voices-Voix Coalition is committed to reversing this trend.

We envision a Canada in which our diverse voices are not ignored and discouraged, but respected and valued - a country in which the government respects our right to free speech.