Freedom of opinion and expression is the least in a democracy.
Indeed, there is a reason why the Universal Declaration of Human Rights devotes Article 19 to the following basic citizen need: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers” (https://tinyurl.com/yxt9kex4).
Tragically, the fundamental value of freedom has been neglected, and at times, it has been abused and even weaponized. Collectively, out of fear or out of much ideology (imposed on others), we seem to have forgotten to honour and cherish freedom for ALL (as core value; as way of being and living).
Given the above, Bambi rejoiced this morning when one of her friends/readers shared a piece of uplifting news: The province of Alberta wants to have a “Regulated Professions Neutrality Act“, namely Bill 13 or the Jordan Peterson Law. Of note, this friend is not fond of neither Ms. Danielle Smith’s politics nor of Dr. Jordan Peterson’s opinions, yet he recognizes the BADLY need for such a bill (and, which is explained under the CPAC video shared on YouTube (posted below): “Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, alongside provincial Justice Minister Mickey Amery, hold a news conference in Edmonton to announce the Regulated Professions Neutrality Act, which will protect the right of regulated professionals to free expression while ensuring regulatory bodies focus on competence and ethics—not personal beliefs“.
Basically, this proposed bill is all about the right of a professional (everyone) to express his or her personal opinion freely, without the fear of losing one’s livelihood, license, or reputation, as explained by Ms. Smith and Mr. Mickey Amery. Specifically, this “Jordan Peterson bill” would protect professionals from censorship, or cancellation, over a social media post, an interview, or any opinion expressed outside of working hours. As a reminder, Dr. Jordan Peterson went through an unfair/unacceptable legal and disciplinary process with the College of Psychologists of Ontario following so-called public complaints regarding his social media posts. This was not linked to his private practice as a clinical psychologist.
To conclude this post, Bambi wonders if the other Canadian provinces and territories will eventually consider following Alberta in its footsteps? Will this proposed bill help limit cases of abuses or bullying? Will it reduce people’s fear, expressed in self-censorship and/or in distress? Will it encourage honest and enriching dialogue? If so, how can other countries, currently struggling with freedom (e.g., the UK or others) learn from the wisdom and atittude of Albertans?
For those who do not know him, Mr. John Carpay is the President and Founder of the “Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms“.
Below you can find his brief video explaining Bill C-9’s risk of slippery slope:
“Bill C-9 criminalizes feelings and restricts the free speech of Canadians. Bill C-9 is largely an exercise in virtue signaling because Canadian judges already have the power under the Criminal Code, section 718, to impose a harsher sentence on a criminal if the crime was motivated by hate“
Why does Ottawa seem to insist, either carelessly or perhaps knowingly, to dive Canada into an increasingly authoritarian state? Is this approach wise and fair for all, including the children and grandchildren of our lawmakers?
Thankfully, Canada has principled lawyers/legal experts, like Mr. Carpay, who raise awareness to help us keep protecting our beautiful Canadian values of freedom of expression (for all) and of personal responsibility.
Canada’s beauty is that it gives you the choice to state your birthplace or not on your passport.
Bambi proudly has Beirut, Lebanon. She could have also left it blank.
This being said, today she read about an Israeli-born young woman from Montreal who was told that she cannot have Israel written on her passport due to the political conflict.
Clearly and obviously, there seems to be incompetence in this statement.
Was it malicious? Was it someone not clever in geography? Was it overzealous?
It was surely un-Canadian, especially for a country claiming to be obsessed with “equity” among its citizens.
At the end, she pushed back, good for her, and the story ended with her birthplace on her passport (as it should be). Bambi’s burning questions are as follows: is this the only story or were other citizens told the same? And do government bureaucrats receive the same training?
Bravo to Mr. Amine Hachem, the MOST HIGHLY talented Lebanese-American “operatic and crossover tenor” (https://tinyurl.com/yc4t52xu) for the grandiose performance of his new Arabic love song. Of note, the latter was filmed at the Casino du Liban Theatre.
Following the song (subtitled in English), if you are curious, you can read the copied and pasted YouTube text informing us about this performance’s creators, along with the song lyrics in both Arabic and English.
When Bambi listened to the song, she was captivated and instantly transported to a VERY pleasant state of mind (like euphoria). The unique harmony between the music and the lyrics, along with some surprising milestones of the musical story, kept transporting her as follows: from grandiose musical moments, to lighter ones, and back to more solemn moments. Indeed, she found herself too focused on the powerful words and the great music, then clapping hands to music, and even dancing in front of her computer screen in some “oriental” movements, along with a deep urge of Dabke dancing.
For those magical moments described above to the best of her capacity, many thanks to Mr. Hachem et al. for this masterpiece. Most significantly, many thanks for spreading beauty, talent, and love in our troubled world!
“COMPOSED BY: AMiNE HACHEM & BRIAN HOLMAN – LYRICS: BY FADIA SKAF HACHEM.
DIRECTED BY: ANDREW J. HACHEM
PRODUCED BY: CLAIREMINE OPUS
EXCECUTIVE PRODUCER: AMiNE HACHEM
FILMED AT: CASINO DU LIBAN THEATRE
PERFORMED BY: NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC OF UKRAINE AND UKRAINIAN RADIO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Many thanks to Canada’s veterans and members of the armed forces at all times, of war and peace, for their devoted service. To honour them, this post shares (1) a two-minute-long YouTube Crosscut Films video entitled “Their Dedication, Our Freedom – Remembrance Day 2025“; and (2) a song, entitled “Canadian Veteran“, composed and performed by Mr. Roger Crowder. A heartfelt double thank you to Crosscut Films for its beautiful tribute and to Mr. Crowder (a former veteran) for his lovely and timely song.
Thanks to veterans and to their families! Merci aux vétérans et à leurs familles!
A picture taken by Bambi in Amherst (NS, Canada) on June 27, 2019.
Bravo to Ms. Hiba Tawaji. What a gifted singer! For your convenience, an English translation of the Lebanese-Arabic lyrics of her song, which is about lovers in the fall season, can be found at this link: https://tinyurl.com/58kts6cy . May music, love, beauty, peace, Joy, and prosperity prevail in Ms. Tawaji’s volatile yet charming country. Same wishes from Bambi to all the countries of the world, including Canada.
Lebanon’s catch 22 is getting worrisome: the Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah continues to refuse its disarmament and “political negotiations” with Israel (https://tinyurl.com/348jt827) while the latter warns that it “would strike Beirut if army fails to disarm Hezbollah” (https://tinyurl.com/bddszvh2).
As for Hezbollah, it still does not seem to be willing or capable of admitting its strategic military mistake, that led to defeat. Ironically, the latter brought back not just war, but also occupation. Why can’t Hezbollah throw in the towel, eventually rising over its wounds and learning to renew itself as a political force only, that is without its weapons?
Indeed, according to Al Manar (Hezbollah’s media), a recent open letter addressed to the Lebanese government and people, authored by the so-called “Islamic resistance”, known as the Hezbollah (“Party of God” in Arabic), concluded as follows: “We pledge to our proud people that we will remain steadfast in our position of honor and righteousness, neither wavering nor retreating, as long as there is occupation and aggression on our land, and as long as the pulse of resistance beats in our hearts—a resistance that knows no defeat” (https://tinyurl.com/sjauu37h).
Of note, Mr. Salam courageously responded to the open letter in question by reminding us all that: “only the state is authorized to make decisions on war and peace” (https://tinyurl.com/348jt827.
Given all the above, one cannot help not to wonder what is next for Lebanon. Only time will tell. Until then, and since Bambi is holding her breath out of solidarity with her birth country and her loved ones there, how about ending this post on a musical note as usual?
Music is universal and Mr. Leonard Cohen’s lasting legacy is international (https://tinyurl.com/y8yzhujt). Indeed, his “Hallelujah” is performed below in both Arabic and English by Ms. Abeer Nehme from Lebanon (https://tinyurl.com/yzpx5mft). She is an incredibly gifted singer in any language. May the memory of Bambi’s mom and of Mr. Cohen be eternal, today more than ever. Same wishes for the memory of all your loved ones, dear readers. Take good care and have a good one.
No place of worship should be the target of violence.
No ethno-religious group should be intimidated.
Indeed, the community of Jewish Torontonians of the North York Kehillat Shaarei Torah’s synagogue deserve to live without fear and be safe at all times (https://tinyurl.com/y4whrduj).
By extension, every single Canadian of Jewish heritage deserves to feel safe in his province or territory.
As citizens and decision-makers, what can each one of us do to protect each other? All of us, hand in hand, denouncing this unacceptable social and criminal violence.
Bad weather, good weather: constructor workers are there. Bless them!
Every morning, between 7:45 and 8 AM, Bambi parks her car by a construction site in her small town of Sackville in New Brunswick, Canada. While walking by two construction sites, she sees the constructor workers devoted to their job tasks.
Construction workers are known to start their day very early. Of note, the weather has changed recently and it is getting cooler, especially in the early morning.
Bambi has always been impressed by how tough and courageous Canadian construction workers are. For now, the temperature is around (+ or -) 0 °C. However, soon it will likely be way below the latter. Mind you, in certain parts of our wide and beautiful Canada, some often work non-urgently at or below -12°C. Some have to work in urgent conditions at much lower temperatures, of course with safety measures in place.
According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), “at very cold temperatures, the most serious concern is the risk of hypothermia or dangerous overcooling of the body. Another serious effect of cold exposure is frostbite or freezing of the exposed extremities such as fingers, toes, nose, and ears. Hypothermia could be fatal in absence of immediate medical attention” (https://tinyurl.com/379n52me).
Of note, Occupational Health and Safety regulations differ by province and territory. Many of the latter don’t specify a precise minimum temperature for stopping work. However, as a rule of thumb, it seems common practice to recommend stopping emergency work at or below -43 °C.
The paragraphs above addressed the challenge of the cold temperature. Let’s not forget that there are hazardous occupations and specific tasks within the construction field. Given the latter and the weather conditions, too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer, Canadian constructor workers are heroes. Thanks to them and bravo!
