This week Grant LaFleche from the Toronto Star interviewed MPP Randy Hillier and myself (Michael Thiessen) regarding the End the Lockdowns Caucus and Liberty Coalition Canada. Randy spoke to Grant over the phone. I responded to his questions via email.
We never know how reporters will represent us, so I thought I’d share my responses with you directly. Here they are:
Liberty Coalition/Niagara declaration
1) Can you tell me what the Liberty Coalition is? Why did it form and what is its ultimate aim?
Liberty Coalition seeks to promote a peaceful and respectful ethos in Canada, where Canadians are able to flourish.
2) The coalition appears to be an overtly political effort to marshal churches together to advocate for political issues. Is that a fair assessment of the coalition, and do you think it is unique in Canada? There have been other efforts to rally churches to political causes, but to my knowledge, nothing of this scope or activity.
In Canada, churches do not normally advocate for political issues. However, they have a responsibility to be informed and morally responsive to changes in law that affect the community. Liberty Coalition Canada aims to support the wellbeing of its members and Canadians generally, and brings together people who are concerned about impediments to human flourishing
3) On the above point, one of the things that appears to make the coalition unique, is the branch or sponsored or allied organizations that operate under its umbrella or, at least, as allies, particularly regarding opposition to COVID-19 measures (lockdowns, vaccines, etc). How did this cluster of organizations come together with the coalition, or were they created, in whole or in part, by it?
There are many Canadians today who are concerned by the social impact of the lockdowns in Canada. Numerous individuals have self-organized into various groups, some bringing scientific perspectives, others organizing various activities to inform Canadians about the impacts and risks of both COVID-19 and the mitigatory actions the government has taken to date. Our allies were not created by Liberty Coalition Canada, and have no legal affiliation with LCC.
4) Looking specifically at the Niagara Declaration 2020, how did that declaration come about? What motivated you and your allies to come together to create it? And do you think it achieved, or what do you seek to achieve?
The Niagara declaration arose out of our concern of the Government's active discrimination against Churches in ruling the feeding of the body as essential but the feeding of the soul as non-essential. It enabled us and others across Canada to recognize the concerns we had about the way the pandemic mitigations have been handled.
5) The declaration itself is named after Niagara. Is that because you met, collectively, in the region? How many of you met to discuss the declaration? Given the date, did you face any enforcement issues regarding COVID-19 restrictions?
The declaration was crafted by two individuals.
6) The declaration makes a clear its signatories believe Christians are “under attack” in Canada. The coalition mirrors this concern. Can you tell me how you believe Christians are under attack?
The government's approach to mitigating COVID-19 has made it clear that elected officials do not consider spiritual nourishment to be essential to human flourishing. As a Christian, I believe that humans have both bodies and souls, and each needs to be nourished. The Government ruled places of worship to be non-essential despite Churches in Canada taking serious cautionary measures regarding sanitization etc, and despite no known cases of COVID-19 transmission in a worship setting to date. It has saddened me to see stores like Gap, H&M, etc with dozens of shoppers handling clothing and jostling each other inside, while large Church buildings with significantly stronger sanitary precautions were ordered to remain nearly empty. The Niagara declaration arose out of our concern of the Government's active discriminating against Churches in ruling the feeding of the body as essential but the feeding of the soul as non-essential. It enabled us to and others to recognize the that the concerns we had about the way the pandemic mitigations have been handled have been shared by many across Canada.
7) Can you provide a few clarifying points about information on the LC website:
i) the website, in the “church must gather” second, says that “Beyond science, and every natural reason we can give, we ultimately bow the knee and pledge our lives to King Jesus…”. What is meant by this? Critics will say this means that you dismiss scientific evidence if those conclusions are at odds with your religious belief. (In this specific case, the spread of the novel coronavirus.) Is that the case?
As a Christian, I believe that God is both a rational and a loving God, who created a rational, relational world. What is knowable through science and acknowledged through faith therefore cannot ultimately contradict each other, since both describe elements of God's nature. Our concerns have not been, and are not, with science - our concerns have been and continue to be the choices and trade-offs that have been imposed upon the Canadian people.
ii) On the declaration webpage, the FAQ section says “a Christianized constitution actually leads to greater religious freedom for all.” Can you explain what a Christianized constitution is?
Very few monarchies and governments in world history have allowed freedom of religious choice and worship. Canada's constitution does not need to be Christianized - it already recognizes God as supreme. The Royal Coat of Arms of Canada invokes the dominion of the Lord Jesus Christ over the land in quoting Psalm 72:8 in Latin, “He shall have dominion also from sea to sea and from the river unto the ends of the earth”. And the Supremacy of God over the Dominion of Canada is clearly acknowledged in the preamble to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms: “Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law.”
8) Do you consider the LCC, or its related or allied organizations and churches to be Christian Nationalists? (that is the creation of laws that directly reflect your religious beliefs/doctrine, or establish the primacy of your faith over others?) Are you a Christian nationalist?
No to both.
9) Recently, you have posted videos asking for donations to be able to hire staff and further the aims of the LC. This appears to be a relatively new development for the coalition. Is this because you feel the LC has achieved enough success that you have the traction to try and build wider support, including a call for ongoing financial support?
As the rest of the world learns from the science and eases lockdown restrictions, Canada is lagging behind, which means more and more Canadians are becoming disillusioned in the trade-offs that have been imposed upon then. I expect to see LCC grow as our message resonates with increasing numbers of Canadians.
No More Lockdowns
• How did NMLD become part of the LC? Specifically, how did LC become involved with Mr. Hillier, and how was the NMLD caucus formed under the umbrella of LC?
NMLD is an independent organization with independent leadership. I have met Mr. Hillier in my capacity as a concerned Pastor speaking with an elected official who listens to the concerns of his constituents.
• Do you see a difference between the caucus and the NMLD organization that organizes rallies, and sells signs etc? Is there an organizational relationship between Mr. Hillier’s efforts and the Liberty Coalition?
Yes there are many differences. Again, NMLD is an independent organization with independent leadership.
• While NMLD is related to LC, not all supporters of NMLD share the LC’s aims and goals. While many do, it appears that supporters are somewhat more diverse in their views from political libertarians to Qanon supporters. Do what some will describe as more “fringe” elements of the NWLD movement, such as Qanon supporters, concern you?
Again, there are many differences. As you say correctly, not all supporters of NMLD share the LCC's aim and goals. LCC does not need or seek all Canadians from all walks of life and opinions to join LCC in its mission. There are numerous independent groups working to bring a more rational approach to COVID-19 in Canada - Canadians are free to join whichever group they wish.
• What is your assessment of the NMLD movement to date?
NMLD has brought public attention on the serious harms that the lockdowns are having on Canadian businesses and families.
Questions for Yourself (Michael Thiessen)
1. Why are you personally involved in organization these efforts?
I am one of the few pastors in Ontario who was charged for keeping a church open during the lockdowns. Liberty Coalition Canada began about ten months after the ReOpen Ontario Churches campaign that ran last spring. Rev. Dr. Joe Boot, and Rev. Dr. Aaron Rock and I had also written The Niagara 2020 Declaration as a declaration on the historic liberties of the church. These two foundational works, along with the unconstitutional lockdowns, inspired us to co-found the Liberty Coalition Canada.
2. I understand you have been ticketed/charged in relation to COVID-19 regulations. Can you say what charges you face and what events lead to those charges? Do you intend to fight them?
On Sundays when my entire church could have all met and shopped at Walmart together, I was charged up to $100,000.00 and up to a year in jail for keeping our church open. This has happened twice. The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedom is representing me to fight these charges.
3. How and why did you become a preacher? What do you see as your mission through this pandemic?
I put my faith in Jesus Christ as my Lord as a young adult. At that time, I was greatly convicted by God about my lifestyle. I felt guilty about my sin, but trusted the truth in God’s Word where it says 1 John 1:8, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” This goes hand in had with my favourite verse, "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” 1 Ti 1:15–16.
I became a preacher of the gospel to teach others how to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and manifest the Kingdom of God in the real world in the midst of real issues. My mission in the midst of this pandemic is to be an honest voice asking for the restoration of liberty and the rule of law in this country.
For my full bio, click here.
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