by Nadine Wellwood
«How much power should government have to keep you safe—and what safeguards should protect your freedom, privacy and personal choices?
John Carpay of the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms joins Nadine Wellwood on Sovereign Voice to discuss free speech in Canada, digital privacy, government accountability and the boundaries of state authority.
“Watch out when politicians talk about safety.”
That warning captures Carpay’s central concern: measures presented as protective can also expand government authority. He argues that Canadians should examine both the stated purpose of a policy and the powers it creates.
The conversation draws on the Justice Centre’s report, Restoring Freedom in Canada: An Agenda for the House of Commons and the Senate. Nadine and John examine proposals involving online expression, digital identification, privacy, medical choice and Canadian sovereignty.
They discuss Bill C-34, the proposed Safe Social Media Act, including Carpay’s concerns about age verification, platform penalties and restrictions on lawful expression. They also explore university free speech, public funding and the responsibilities of governments and institutions toward the people they serve.
The interview goes beyond online regulation, addressing the Indian Act and treaty rights, female-only spaces, medical assistance in dying, healthcare choice and international agreements. Carpay explains his positions on these contested issues and the changes he believes Parliament should consider.
Nadine connects these questions to the broader Alberta sovereignty conversation: what does freedom mean in practice, and where should government authority end?
Carpay closes with a message about civic participation, freedom of expression and why he believes political change remains possible.
Where would you draw the line between public protection and individual freedom? Share the argument you found most persuasive—and the one you would challenge.
Guest: John Carpay
Host: Nadine Wellwood
Show: Sovereign Voice — Episode 34»