135 lines
5.1 KiB
Markdown
135 lines
5.1 KiB
Markdown
# Freedom From Government Overreach
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!!! quote "Government Wisdom"
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"The government is here to help! (Terms and conditions may apply)"
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[Call Danielle Smith, Premier](tel:7804272251){ .md-button }
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[Email the Premier](https://influence.freealberta.org/campaign/government-reform){ .md-button }
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[Call Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice](tel:7804272339){ .md-button }
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[Email Minister of Justice](https://influence.freealberta.org/campaign/justice-reform){ .md-button }
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## Why Do We Need Freedom From Government Overreach?
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Because somehow, the same government that can't fix our potholes wants to micromanage our lives. Let's talk about actual government overreach - not the "they made us stop at red lights" kind.
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### Our Current "Freedom" System
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!!! example "A Day in Our Life Under Big Government"
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1. We fill out form A38 to request form B65
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2. We wait 6-8 weeks for processing
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3. We receive notice that form A38 was outdated
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4. We start over with form A38-B
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5. We question our life choices
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6. We repeat until retirement
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## What Real Freedom From Government Overreach Looks Like
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- Privacy protection (our data isn't public property)
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- Property rights (without excessive zoning nonsense)
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- Personal autonomy (our bodies, our choice)
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- Business freedom (without drowning in red tape)
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- Digital rights (encryption isn't a crime)
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### But Don't We Need Government?!
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!!! info "Plot Twist"
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Yes, we need government - like we need guardrails on mountain roads. But guardrails shouldn't take up the whole highway.
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## The Real Issues
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### Surveillance State
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- Our phone calls aren't that interesting
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- Our internet history is our business
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- No, our smart fridges don't need government backdoors
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### Privacy Invasion
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- Health records should be private
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- Banking data isn't public info
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- Our locations aren't government property
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### Regulatory Nightmares
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- Small business ≠ criminal enterprise
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- Permits shouldn't require a law degree
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- Compliance shouldn't cost more than our businesses
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### Digital Rights
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- Encryption is our self-defense
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- Our messages are ours
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- Online privacy isn't optional
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!!! tip "Pro Freedom Tip"
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If we think all government is bad, let's try driving on a private road network where each owner sets their own traffic rules. Suddenly some basic standards don't seem so evil.
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## What Good Government Looks Like
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- Protects our rights instead of restricting them
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- Serves us instead of controlling us
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- Creates frameworks, not micromanagement
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- Respects privacy by default
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- Transparent and accountable to us
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### What We're Missing
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- Real oversight of government agencies
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- Digital privacy protections
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- Simplified regulations
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- Actual accountability
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- Common sense approaches
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## The Economic Argument
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When government stays in its lane:
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- Our businesses thrive
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- Our innovation accelerates
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- Our privacy is protected
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- Our rights are respected
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- We all win (except bureaucrats)
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!!! warning "Reality Check"
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Government overreach isn't just annoying - it's expensive, inefficient, and dangerous to our democracy.
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## The Bottom Line
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Freedom from government overreach means having a government that protects our rights instead of restricting them. It means understanding that the best government is one that knows its limits.
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!!! note "Let's Get Involved"
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Ready to fight government overreach? Let's start by learning our rights, supporting privacy initiatives, and voting for politicians who understand that less is more when it comes to government control.
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Remember: The goal isn't no government - it's good government. And good government knows when to back off and let us live our lives.
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---
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## Sources & Evidence
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### Notwithstanding Clause Usage
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- Alberta has now used the **notwithstanding clause twice** to override Charter of Rights protections
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- In December 2025, the government invoked the clause to override court injunctions protecting LGBTQ+ rights
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- This represents an unprecedented willingness to override constitutional protections
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- Source: [Globe and Mail - Alberta notwithstanding clause](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/)
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### Freedom of Information Failures
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- A 2025 investigation found **27 government bodies non-compliant** with freedom of information rules
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- Investigation reports have been **delayed by 4+ months**
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- Transparency in government operations has significantly declined
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- The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner has raised repeated concerns
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- Source: [Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta](https://www.oipc.ab.ca/)
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### Regulatory Changes
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- Environmental oversight has been reduced through regulatory changes
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- Public consultation processes have been shortened or bypassed
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- Industry self-regulation has increased in several sectors
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- Source: [Pembina Institute](https://www.pembina.org/)
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### Democratic Oversight
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- Independent officers of the Legislature have faced budget constraints
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- Public inquiry requests have been repeatedly rejected
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- 78% of Albertans support independent investigations of government scandals
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- Source: [Public Interest Alberta](https://www.pialberta.org/)
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