Canada’s Shift Towards Authoritarianism: How America Should Address Trudeau’s Assault on Civil Liberties
The Big Picture
Once regarded as a model of Western democracy, Canada has undergone a significant shift toward authoritarian governance under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Through the expansion of state surveillance, financial deplatforming of political opponents, and increasing restrictions on free speech, the Trudeau administration has embraced illiberal policies while maintaining the outward appearance of democratic governance. The Canadian state now exercises broad and largely unchecked authority over its citizens, leveraging banking regulations, censorship laws, and emergency measures to suppress political dissent.
The 2022 Freedom Convoy crackdown served as a pivotal moment, revealing the extent to which the Trudeau government was willing to weaponize state power against peaceful demonstrators. By invoking the Emergencies Act, the administration froze bank accounts, seized assets, and deployed law enforcement against individuals whose primary offense was opposing government overreach. More recently, expanded online censorship laws and broad “hate speech” regulations have further eroded freedom of expression, subjecting dissenters to fines, financial blacklisting, and potential legal repercussions.
Despite these increasingly authoritarian measures, the Biden administration and U.S. lawmakers have largely remained silent, failing to acknowledge the implications of an illiberal regime emerging on America’s northern border. This inaction is not merely inconsistent with democratic values—it is a strategic miscalculation. The United States must recognize and address Trudeau’s authoritarian trajectory, leverage economic and diplomatic influence to hold Canada accountable, and ensure that American citizens and businesses operating within Canada are protected from politically motivated persecution.
Operative Definitions
- Emergencies Act – A Canadian law that grants the federal government broad, sweeping powers to override civil liberties, seize assets, and deploy law enforcement in response to a declared “national emergency.” Trudeau invoked this law in 2022 to crack down on anti-lockdown protesters.
- Financial Deplatforming – The process by which banks and financial institutions, often under government pressure, freeze bank accounts, cut off financial services, or deny loans to individuals or organizations based on political beliefs.
- Online Harms Act (Proposed) – A new Canadian law that would criminalize certain types of online speech, allowing the government to monitor and regulate digital platforms in the name of combatting “hate speech” and “disinformation.”
Important Facts and Statistics
- In 2022, Justin Trudeau became the first Canadian leader to invoke the Emergencies Act, granting the federal government extraordinary powers to freeze bank accounts and seize assets of protesters and their donors (Canadian Parliament Report, 2022).
- Canada has passed sweeping online censorship legislation, allowing the government to regulate speech on social media platforms and fine individuals for so-called “misinformation” (Bill C-11, 2023).
- Canadian banks worked directly with the government to freeze over $8 million in private assets of Freedom Convoy donors and protesters without due process (Canadian Banking Association Report, 2022).
- In 2023, Trudeau’s government proposed a “Hate Speech Prevention” law that would allow for the prosecution of individuals based on complaints of offensive speech, even if no crime was committed (Justice Canada, 2023).
- Canada has become one of the most financially surveilled nations in the West, expanding government monitoring of transactions over $10,000 and requiring compliance with digital ID systems (Bank of Canada Report, 2023).
Five-Point Policy Plan to Hold Canada Accountable
End U.S. Silence on Trudeau’s Authoritarianism
The United States must publicly condemn Canada’s authoritarian policies and apply diplomatic pressure to restore civil liberties. For too long, American leaders have ignored Canada’s shift toward illiberalism, treating Trudeau as a benign progressive leader rather than an emerging authoritarian figure. The Biden administration and members of Congress must make clear that America will not tolerate a hostile regime on its northern border. Public statements, congressional resolutions, and diplomatic outreach should highlight Canada’s human rights abuses, ensuring that the world recognizes Trudeau’s government as a violator of basic freedoms rather than a defender of democracy.
Apply Economic Pressure to Force Policy Reforms
The United States should leverage its economic power over Canada to demand an end to financial deplatforming and state surveillance. The U.S. is Canada’s largest trading partner, accounting for over 75% of its exports (Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, 2023). This gives Washington significant leverage to pressure Canada into reversing its authoritarian measures. Trade agreements, tariffs, and financial regulations should be used as bargaining tools to demand: (1) a repeal of financial blacklisting policies, (2) an end to politically motivated asset seizures, and (3) guarantees that U.S. companies operating in Canada will not be forced to comply with censorship laws.
Protect U.S. Citizens and Businesses from Canadian Censorship Laws
Many American companies and individuals operate in Canada or rely on Canadian financial institutions, meaning they are vulnerable to Trudeau’s overreach. The U.S. should implement legal protections for American citizens working in Canada, ensuring that they are not subjected to political discrimination, financial blacklisting, or digital censorship by Canadian authorities. Furthermore, the U.S. should bar Canadian companies from enforcing Trudeau’s censorship laws on American businesses, preventing Big Tech firms from complying with Canadian speech regulations that violate U.S. free speech protections.
Expand Energy Independence to Reduce U.S. Reliance on Canadian Resources
One of the reasons the U.S. hesitates to confront Canada is its reliance on Canadian energy exports, particularly oil and natural gas. To reduce this dependency and increase American energy security, the U.S. should expand domestic oil production and refine alternative supply chains. The Keystone XL Pipeline cancellation in 2021 strengthened Canada’s leverage over the U.S. by making America more reliant on foreign energy. Reopening Keystone XL and expanding Gulf Coast energy production would allow the U.S. to pursue an independent policy toward Canada without fear of energy blackmail.
Strengthen State-Level Agreements to Bypass Trudeau’s Federal Control
Since Trudeau’s authoritarianism is rooted at the federal level, the U.S. should bypass the Canadian federal government by strengthening state-to-province relations. U.S. states such as Texas, Florida, and North Dakotashould engage directly with Canadian provinces such as Alberta and Saskatchewan, which have opposed Trudeau’s authoritarian policies. This would allow the U.S. to cooperate economically with freedom-oriented Canadian provinces while isolating Ottawa. Strengthening subnational agreements on trade, energy, and finance will allow American states to maintain beneficial relations with Canada without legitimizing Trudeau’s regime.
Why This Initiative Is Important
Canada’s descent into authoritarianism is not just a Canadian problem—it is a threat to American democracy and security. If left unchecked, Trudeau’s use of financial blacklisting, censorship laws, and government overreach will set a dangerous precedent for Western nations. The longer the U.S. tolerates this behavior, the more likely it is that similar policies will be adopted by progressive leaders in America.
Ignoring Canada’s authoritarian drift also weakens America’s credibility on human rights and democracy. Washington cannot claim to stand for freedom and civil liberties while turning a blind eye to Trudeau’s abuses. By confronting Canada’s illiberal shift, the U.S. would send a clear message that North America must remain a region of free speech, free markets, and individual liberty.
The United States has leverage over Canada, and it is time to use it. By applying economic, diplomatic, and legal pressure, America can push Canada back toward a more democratic path while protecting American citizens and businesses from Trudeau’s overreach.
Sources
Canadian Banking Association. (2022). The freezing of protester bank accounts under the Emergencies Act.
Justice Canada. (2023). Hate Speech Prevention Law: Legislative Summary.
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. (2023). United States-Canada Trade Relations Report.
Parliament of Canada. (2022). The Invocation of the Emergencies Act: A Review.
Bank of Canada. (2023). Government Surveillance of Digital Transactions.
