Vee Gandhi’s Flyer Section 3
Protecting Inalienable Rights and Freedoms
By Vee Gandhi, Independent Candidate for Nepean
Protecting inalienable rights and freedoms is fundamental to a free and just society. To ensure these rights are upheld, it's imperative to establish truly independent public inquiries with subpoena power. Currently, all inquiries with subpena power are government-appointed, leading to outcomes that may lack transparency and accountability. Reinstating a system akin to the grand jury—which historically allowed citizens to conduct independent investigations—could provide the necessary oversight and impartiality.
1. Medical Autonomy
Forced Treatment and Vaccination
Support: Establishing an Independent Public Inquiry with full subpoena powers to transparently investigate vaccine-related injuries and deaths, ensuring all responsible parties are held accountable.
2. Freedom of Movement, Speech, Assembly, Religion, and Press
Support: Initiating an Independent Public Inquiry into the 2022 invocation of the Emergency Act, examining potential breaches of freedoms related to speech and assembly.
3. Property Rights
Support: Conducting an Independent Public Inquiry into governmental land acquisitions to assess their impact on property rights.
Support: Upholding Common Law principles and the Canadian Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties and property.
4. Defending the Three Pillars of Democracy
A) Ballot Box: Ensuring electoral transparency by opposing electronic voting systems that lack verifiable paper trails.
B) Jury Box: Advocating for citizen control of the justice system through the reinstatement of the grand jury system, enabling independent investigations free from governmental influence.
C) Cartridge Box: Defending the right to self-defense as a fundamental aspect of personal security and liberty.
The Constitutional Basis for Grand Juries in Canada
Under Section 91(27) of the Constitution Act, 1867, the federal government holds exclusive jurisdiction over criminal law, encompassing procedures associated with it. Historically, this authority included the establishment and regulation of grand juries, a practice inherited from British common law and integrated into Canada's legal framework. While the federal government possesses constitutional authority over criminal law, it permitted provinces to administer justice, including the operation of grand juries. Over time, provinces began to phase out the use of grand juries, with Ontario abolishing them in 1975. However, no constitutional amendment was enacted to eliminate the federal government's responsibility in this area. Therefore, the cessation of grand juries at the provincial level does not negate the federal government's constitutional authority and duty to re-establish them.
The Need for Independent Public Inquiries with Subpoena Power
In Canada, public inquiries are often established by the government, with appointed commissioners and defined mandates. While these inquiries can possess subpoena power, their independence is frequently questioned due to their governmental origins. This structure can lead to perceptions of bias and results that lack determinative impact.
Historically, Canada employed the grand jury system, a body of citizens empowered to investigate public concerns, compel evidence, and recommend charges. Grand juries operated independently of governmental control, serving as a check on potential abuses of power. The absence of a truly independent investigative body has left a void in Canada's democratic framework. Reintroducing a system that mirrors the grand jury—where citizens have the authority to initiate inquiries, summon witnesses, and access necessary documents—would enhance transparency and accountability. Such a system would ensure that investigations into matters of public concern are conducted impartially, free from governmental influence, and with the power to hold all parties accountable.
By reinstating independent public inquiries with subpoena power, Canada can better protect its citizens' inalienable rights and strengthen the pillars of its democracy.