Joe Warmington

Turns out, there are a lot of people concerned about free speech in Canada.

And concerned about losing it.

“It’s great to be in a room full of severely normal people,” said Conservative leadership candidate Dr. Kellie Leitch, drawing cheers.

About 1,200 people showed up to The Rebel’s Rally For Free Speech at Canada Christian College to protest Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government’s M-103 motion being debated in the House of Commons this week, which many criticism is, in essence, an anti-blasphemy law seen in many Muslim countries that prevents criticism of Islam.

“We need to fight back against all of this politically correct nonsense,” said Leitch.

And they were doing just that.

When it comes to Liberal Erin Mills MP Iqra Khalid’s motion to “condemn Islamophobia and all forms of systemic racism and religious discrimination,” the crowd’s stance was clear.

They don’t want it.

“Justin Trudeau says people who are opposed to M-103 are fringe,” said Leitch. “Justin Trudeau, you are fringe.”

Every speaker brought similar sentiments, whether it be Ezra Levant, Faith Goldy, PC leadership candidates Leitch, Chris Alexander, Brad Trost, Pierre Lemieux or Dr. Charles McVety of Canada Christian College.

“This is grassroots,” said Goldy. “If we don’t stand up now historians will look back and say no one stood up for free speech that our soldiers laid down their lives for.”

I have said Khalid’s motion should be ripped up for good. Canada needs a lot of things, but not government deciding who and what is Islamophobic. Scary a government would even try.

This was an interesting night because it shows that while the Liberals are very much in control of Canada, there is a movement out there not pleased with them. This was clear here. There’s frustration about the cost of living, rising debt load, dying towns, cost of energy.

But mostly, there’s anger about government ramming down people’s throats politically correct motions that in essence call people racist for simply calling out concerns about Sharia Law or standing up against honour murders.

“I don’t think any one religion should get special status,” said Leitch. “There are laws in this country that cover everyone.”

The best part about this night, ironically, was the free speech that was on display.

Will it be on display in the future?

Khalid’s Trudeau-backed “eliminating systemic racism and religious discrimination including Islamophobia” motion promises to “develop a whole-of-government approach to reducing or eliminating systemic racism and religious discrimination including Islamophobia, in Canada.”

Said McVety: “If this ever became law it could mean two years in jail for anybody who may criticize Islam, As Christians, Jesus Christ teaches us to love everyone including Muslims, but we do not have to love Islam. We need a revolution of truth to stop this motion.”

Ironically, said Levant, this event was being held at the CCC’s Gervais Drive headquarters because at the last-minute the Montecassino Hotel on Chesswood cancelled the contract out of concerns from calls received in protest of this event. McVety stepped up and offered his facility.

“We thank Dr. McVety,” said Levant. “If we can run into this kind of censorship and shutting down of freedom of speech already, can you imagine if this motion passes?”

Levant wonders if the likes of him will even have personal freedom for “speaking the truth” or standing up to Trudeau.

“It won't be easy if this motion passes and leads to what we are concerned about, for people on radio to do their shows,” said Levant.

Alexander reminded of the 159 who died in Afghanistan as an example of standing up for Muslim people and the cost of freedom.

And Trost hit the nail on the head by saying “I will not let the thought police control what I say.”

There was a whole room full of people who agreed with that sentiment. When it comes to free speech, there are more than a few Canadians prepared to weather the storm to protect it.