The Darcy Gerow Podcast

Michael Wagner is an independent researcher and writer with a PhD in political science from the University of Alberta. Today we dig into the origin of and justification for Alberta’s struggle for self-determination, a movement which offers no illusions and makes no apologies for challenging the status quo.The discussion of Michael’s latest book, Time to Leave, Canada Cannot be Fixed, acts as a touchstone for a broader discussion on the historical and intellectual merits of Alberta Independence. Michaels’s books are primarily rooted in history, but they also embody the frustration many Albertans feel. When all political avenues have been exhausted, self-determination becomes the only viable path. Decades of federal overreach, constitutional constraints, and a lack of real property rights have created a climate ripe for separation. For libertarians, it is not about petty grievances but about the principle of self-governance and the need to reclaim autonomy from a centralized authority in Ottawa.Michael points listeners to various resources for further exploration. His website, drmichaelwagner.com, serves as a hub for those hungry for more than just sound bites. Merchantship.ca is highlighted as the go-to source for his books that delve into Alberta separatism and critiques of the constitution.-Darcy This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

Michael Harris is the Libertarian candidate for the Battle-River Crowfoot by-election. He is a passionate advocate for liberty who counts Ludwig von Mises and Murray Rothbard among his intellectual influences. I first met Michael last year at an event we hosted with Libertarian Party leader, Jacques Boudreau. At the time Michael was working for Students for Liberty and I thought he was a well spoken advocate for our cause, so I was excited to see that he had stepped up to run in this by-election. And, he’s been gaining traction.It’s no secret that this by-election is only happening because the Conservatives want their leader to have a seat in the House of Commons and the Battle-River Crowfoot riding is seen as an easy lock for Poilievre. The CPC won’t take any chances on this front after Poilievre was defeated in the Carleton riding which he had represented for around 20 years…I think. Yet, there are the murmurings of dissatisfaction with the situation from Battle-River Crowfoot constituents. After all, this is a rural Alberta riding and these people don’t just vote conservative out of habit, they genuinely believe in the principles espoused by conservative talking points. Principles such as smaller government, less waste, accountability, and of course, freedom. Not to mention, this particular riding is fertile ground for a heavy contingency of Alberta separatists.When an MP steps down so some guy who failed to form government or even retain a seat he held for decades can take a run at a sure thing, you can expect some questions to be asked. People might want to know how much this thing is costing us. They likely want to understand how the leadership of the CPC was so politically incompetent that this guy lost his own seat. Have they learned from their mistakes? Running him in a riding he’s basically guaranteed to win doesn’t give people a lot of confidence that they have.But one of the most important questions people in Battle-River Crowfoot wanted answered is where does Poilievre stand on a referendum on Alberta independence. Poilievre’s response - that he’s a Canadian patriot - shows the exact kind of disengaged, out-of-touch thinking that Albertans associate with the Laurentian elitist machinery. He had an opportunity to win them over and he gave them an example of why they want to leave. There is the sense of being used, of uncleanliness in the political process and despite it, the constituents of Battle-River Crowfoot will likely hold their collective nose and elect Poilievre by a large majority, but not without putting these questions and concerns at the fore, not without adding an element of the microscope to Poilievre’s ability, and not without giving young Michael Harris his soapbox to stand on.Michael is not a career politician, he’s a young guy with a passion for personal liberty. He wants to end equalization, scrap supply management, and strip Ottawa of the authority and decision making rightly enshrined to individuals. His is a message that resonates with rural Albertans.Hope you enjoy the episode.-Darcy This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

The State is not Great is Tim Moen’s talk from the 2023 Capitalism & Morality Calgary Seminar. Tim Moen is the former leader of the Libertarian Party of Canada, a firefighter and paramedic. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

Gary Chartier is a legal scholar, philosopher, political theorist, and theologian. His work addresses anarchism and ethics. Chartier is a professor and serves as associate dean of La Sierra University's business school.Problems arise from having different definitions or understandings of terms and ideas. In politics, for example, the terms left and right have historically been used in broad and inconsistent ways, and both have shown tendencies toward extreme authoritarianism. The term capitalism is another example that is often avoided in polite company due to differences in its usage. When Gary Chartier wrote Anarchy and Legal Order he referred to himself and his work as leftist and anti-capitalist. This was interesting because it seemed like nothing in his work aligned with contemporary leftism and he discussed at length the positive impacts of free markets. In fact, what the book does is a make a strong argument for a stateless legal and political order for those who prioritize animal welfare, the environment, and the well-being of vulnerable people, which makes it an important work in the libertarian canon. The reality is that these issues are priorities for a large number of people and too often rigid distinctions and political dogma get in the way of providing solutions to these concerns.I hope you enjoy.-Darcy This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

How Regulations Destroy the Market Process is Per’s talk from the 2023 Capitalism and Morality Calgary Seminar.Per Bylund is Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Johnny D. Pope Chair in the School of Entrepreneurship at Oklahoma State University. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

The Futility of blaming the System is Clayton Reeder’s talk from the 2023 Capitalism & Morality Calgary Seminar.Stay tuned here as we will be uploading videos from the 2023 and 2024 Capitalism & Morality Seminars over the next little while.Hope you enjoy!-Darcy This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

The political landscape in Canada is as absurd as ever. Justin Trudeau has resigned in disgrace and Trump is threatening to annex the ashes of what remains. The word liberty is abused by both sides with such abandon that its actual meaning has become insignificant. Trudeau’s potential replacements are terrifying, and Canadian conservatives are simultaneously riding the coattails of Donald Trump and rejecting the radicalism that elevated the republicans to victory. The expectation from Canadian voters is that some hero politician will come in and by the magic use of parliamentary decree return Canada to a beacon of freedom and prosperity. The reality is that the best we can hope for is someone slightly less embarrassing as the next Prime Minister. The magic use of parliamentary decree is the problem, not the solution.Justin Trudeau’s legacy, for all its faults, at least brings Canadians together in a shared sense of humiliation. And why not? After all, every Prime Minister resigns in shame and disgrace. Trudeau’s story arc, however, has a significantly more tragic theme than others. He was after all born into wealth and privilege and groomed from a young age to become a puppet of globalist interests. He referred to his becoming Prime Minister as his own manifest destiny while his ex-wife, Sophie, struggled to contain his hubris in front of people. The system of political dynasties and incestuous special interests created a monster that it eventually came to despise once he was ineffectual at delivering results. Justin Trudeau in the end fell victim to the depraved system that created him and which he perpetuated throughout his career, a system that eats its own.Although Canadians have good reason celebrate the end of Justin Trudeau’s reign, his potential replacements as leader of the Liberal Party are equally as terrifying. Chrystia Freeland has thrown her hat in the race, which is only further proof of her smug disconnect with Canadians and reality. Despite her recent criticisms of Trudeau, she will be seen as a continuation of Trudeau’s bad policies. There are a few other relative unknowns in the fray, but it will basically be Mark Carney’s race to lose. The former head of central banks in Canada and England is being listed by the media as a political outsider which is anything but true, he’s the natural replacement for a Liberal Party looking to swing back to a centrist identity. It’s important to remember that Mark Carney presided over the BoC during the 2008 financial crisis and helped Stephen Harper facilitate the largest transfer of wealth away from the middle class in Canadian history…until the Covid regime of course.It is unlikely that the future leader of the Liberal Party will have the power to prevent the Conservatives from forming government, although Carney represents their best shot and sets the stage for an interesting showdown. Pierre Poilievre has promised to fire Tiff Macklem, current governor of the BoC, as well as audit the central bank. The Audit the Fed bills in the U.S. haven’t had much success but have always whipped libertarians into a frenzy. The difference in Canada is that parliament has always had the ability to audit the BoC or intervene in their policy. It’s likely the audit would show that every BoC Governor and every Prime Minister from both sides of the aisle were complicit in defrauding Canadian’s and funneling money to select special interests. It’s important to remember that Pierre Pollievre never questioned what Stephen Harper and Mark Carney were doing in 2008. So, it is realistic to consider this as campaign rhetoric and if inflation is under control, his current threats could quickly disappear. However, if the former BoC governor puts up a good fight in the polls, Pollievre might dig in his heels on the issue and things could unravel quickly.After Trump had threatened to annex Canada and make it the 51st state, many so-called “patriots” were already clamouring to ditch the Canadian dollar in exchange for the USD. Although that might be the worst and most uneducated reason to support Canada’s integration into the American union, it does demonstrate that some Canadians are open to the idea. First of all, it’s awesome to watch Trump troll Trudeau. But on the other hand, there is something so blatantly paradoxical in Trump’s approach, that it’s easy to brush this off as bombastic nonsense. The threat to annex Canada comes as a response to issues like tariffs, border security, and military spending not being taken seriously by the Canadians. If Canadian industries are a threat, if the border is too open, and if Canada’s military is weak, the answer is to get rid of the border completely? allow the free unobstructed flow of people and material? and have Americans take full responsibility for the largest coastline of any sovereign country? It’s doubtful that is where Trump is actually heading. Further, I doubt the Americans would be overly excited about having Canadians as

Matt Bufton is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of The Institute for Liberal Studies based in Ottawa, Ontario. The ILS is a non-partisan venue for the discussion of economics, philosophy, politics, and the foundations of a free society.The ILS aims to use the study of classical liberalism to cultivate critical thinking and informed citizenship. Classical liberalism, recognized for its emphasis on personal liberty and limited government, serves as a foundational philosophy for the western world. While classical liberalism and libertarianism are often used interchangeably, libertarianism tends to extend this vision by advocating minimal, if any, state interference. Both are, however, in stark contrast to modern liberalism which prioritizes social welfare and collective responsibility.We discuss how the concept of political neutrality is central to classical liberalism, reflecting the ideal of fostering open discourse free from ideological bias. However, maintaining neutrality can be challenging in a polarized world. Libertarian skepticism toward authority aligns with this stance but underscores the difficulty of achieving impartiality. Meanwhile, modern liberal priorities, such as equity and inclusivity, often introduce complexities into neutral institutions. The work of the ILS highlights how educational initiatives can counteract these difficulties.We talk about utilitarianism and its focus on maximizing happiness and consequentialism which intersects with classical liberalism by offering a moral approach to ethical dilemmas. Classical liberal thought aligns with utilitarianism’s rational foundation, but the more libertarian strain often questions collective solutions that infringe on individual autonomy. In practice, modern liberalism will apply utilitarian principles to address issues like education reform and social justice which highlights a distortion of classical liberal ideas today.Immigration comes up. We discuss how classical liberalism supports the free movement of people as an extension of individual liberty and global trade and how there is still a disconnect in the wider political conversation around immigration. The distinction between private and public property is not made clear. And why immigration, like many issues, should be subject to market forces and not the arbitrary whims of politicians.Democracy serves as another cornerstone of liberal studies, reflecting classical liberal values of individual participation in governance. However, the principles of democracy face challenges, including declining trust and growing polarization. Libertarian critiques of majoritarianism highlight the potential pitfalls of democratic systems.Through discussions around these ideological traditions - classical liberalism and libertarianism - the ILS hopes to foster nuanced debates on all the subjects we discuss, political neutrality, ethical reasoning, immigration, and democracy. This exploration provides students and individuals a deeper understanding of their roles within society and the tools to navigate complex challenges with informed perspectives.I hope you enjoy it. ...oh, and this is the first video version of the Darcy Gerow Podcast. You should be able to find it on YouTube also.-Darcy This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

Today’s guest on the podcast is journalist, economist, and author, Fergus Hodgson. We discuss his latest book, The Latin America Red Pill and Fergus shares insights from his experiences in Latin America, his work in libertarian and classical liberal advocacy and the exploration of economic and cultural issues. We also discuss his previous book, Financial Sovereignty for Canadians, that was inspired in part by the trucker convoy and recognizing that Canadians need a way to distance themselves from the machinery of Ottawa.At the Capitalism and Morality Calgary Seminar earlier this year, Fergus elaborated on some of the themes that crossover between both books such as the challenges of expatriation. Reflecting on his own journey as a New Zealand native who lived abroad extensively, he warns about the costs of relocating and the illusion of greener pastures. He argues that maintaining the unique freedoms found in Western countries like Canada, the U.S., and parts of Europe requires recognizing cultural and historical roots often absent in other regions.A significant portion of the discussion focuses on Fergus’s experiences and observations in Latin America. Initially drawn to the region by the prospect of greater freedom and a vibrant culture, he found stark realities of poverty and corruption. He describes how these systemic issues, often exacerbated by anti-capitalist sentiment, undermine progress. His reflections led to The Latin America Red Pill, which synthesizes years of travel, study, and lived experiences into a critique of Latin America’s socio-economic struggles.The episode also touches on broader geopolitical themes. Fergus critiques socialism, citing Venezuela as a cautionary tale, and argues that its failures stem from rigid centralization and anti-capitalist policies. He also addresses libertarian perspectives on foreign intervention, criticizing the tendency to blame all global issues on U.S. influence while ignoring the destructive nature of authoritarian regimes.Finally, we dig into some contentious issues like immigration and borders. Fergus recounts his transition from an open-borders advocate to recognizing the necessity of controlled immigration to preserve cultural and societal cohesion. He highlights the welfare state as a critical factor driving immigration challenges, arguing for policies that emphasize personal responsibility and community-driven integration.As a Canadian citizen with family ties to Alberta, secession is also a topic close to his heart. He envisions an independent Alberta as a beacon of freedom and prosperity. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

My guest today is Dave Williams. He is a Conservative MLA in BC’s Salmon Arm-Shuswap riding.The BC Conservatives were often misrepresented as dangerous by the entrenched elites in power and media despite their relatively centrist positions. Their appeal to ordinary people, who have been neglected and disaffected did make them dangerous, but only to the ones in power. Parliamentary democracy relies on effective opposition. When the opposition is made up of the same kind of entrenched elitist ideologues of those in power, opposition becomes ineffective. In this case BC's United Party was replaced by the BC Conservatives due to their failure to address public concerns.Dave and I talk about British Columbians’ frustration with inadequate healthcare services and the BC Conservatives proposal for public-private collaborations to improve efficiency, quality, and choice. The BC Conservatives are also advocating for tax reform, competition, and deregulation to address unaffordability. We spend some time criticizing government redistribution, expanding bureaucratic control, and the undermining of individual autonomy.There is, of course, Vancouver’s worsening drug and public safety crises which highlights the need for policies that respect personal responsibility while enforcing property rights, reflecting failures in government approaches to homelessness and addiction. The government’s lack of respect for property rights, combined with subsidies for homelessness and addiction has perpetuated the problems, as seen in BC’s worsening crises despite extensive socialized efforts.We talk about the BC Conservatives’ rise to opposition status and how it reflects a generational shift in BC Politics. It reflects widespread dissatisfaction with entrenched elites and ineffective policies, signaling a shift toward decentralization and personal responsibility, but achieving lasting progress will require addressing systemic challenges and fostering greater provincial autonomy. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

While the Enlightenment and liberalism have undeniably shaped the West, the decline of its foundational institutions and the rise of polarized responses between left-wing egalitarianism and right-wing populism reveal a flaw in liberal doctrine where it is powerless to counter societal decay. Classical liberalism, whose emphasis on life, liberty, and property, along with the obligation to obey government being conditional and rebellion openly endorsed, has shaped Western governance and created the institutional framework for justice and the rule of law yet those social institutions depend on individuals for maintenance. While virtuous individuals can create neutral institutions, those institutions cannot create virtuous individuals, leaving them vulnerable to corruption by non-liberal ideologies through democratic means.Democracy, as the preferred political process in the west, is often conflated with liberalism but it has not escaped criticism from liberal thinkers, from Plato and Aristotle to John Stuart Mill, for its susceptibility to popular opinion and self-interest. Democracy's short-term focus and appeal to majority prejudice exposes liberalism’s structural flaws where institutions increasingly advance harmful policies, subsidize mediocrity, punish virtue, and reflect the flawed ideologies of those in power. The erosion of trust in social institutions has fueled a populist movement, as entrenched bureaucracies - often unaccountable to elected officials - have become the true power, prioritizing their own interests over the people they are meant to serve. Donald Trump's rise as a populist figure is a protest against the decay of Western liberal institutions and ideologically captured bureaucracies that reflect the broader decline of empire.There is a challenge in addressing issues of scale within a vast, diverse population but Trump’s push to dismantle federal bureaucracies like the Department of Education and to restore decision-making to states offers a chance for consensus and effective reform. Optimizing the relationship between individuals and social institutions requires localized decision-making, as smaller, cohesive populations demonstrate that shared values and manageable scale foster freedom and unity, while large, fragmented democracies incentivize divisive, zero-sum politics. Given that populist movements often arise from disillusionment with centralized politics they do have the potential to foster a libertarian-type leaning which focuses on individual responsibility and local action as a counter to systemic decay. Donald Trump’s second term presents both an opportunity for substantial change and the risk that unresolved tensions could lead to an authoritarian left-wing reaction in 2028.The decline of Western liberal institutions reveals a vulnerability to corruption and ideological capture. Populist figures like Trump symbolize the duality of resistance to decay and the risk of authoritarianism which underscores the need for localized decision-making and institutional reform to prevent further erosion of freedoms. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

Nadine Wellwood joins me today to talk about her new project The 1905 Committee, described on their website as follows:As an organization dedicated to fostering engagement and understanding in policy matters, we strive to illuminate the significance of active participation in shaping our province’s future. Rooted in common sense conservative principles, our mission is to equip Albertans with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate policy decisions effectively. The platform advocates for leadership accountability, a made-in-Alberta immigration policy, a flat tax, withdrawal from the Canada pension plan, and a constitutional convention. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

Thanks to Cory Morgan and the team at The Western Standard for having me on. Cory, who will be speaking at the Capitalism & Morality Calgary Seminar, had me on his show to talk about Classical Liberalism and whether or not it still exists.Well…what does exist is an undeserved romantic nostalgia for the early years of confederation and the idea that Canada was some beacon of self-ownership and private property rights and the implementation of those liberal ideas into a functioning society. Yet liberalism has been in decline for at least as long as Canada has existed. Today it seems that classical liberalism and modern liberalism (socialism) are two completely different sets of ideas and although this is true in some ways, the relationship is more cause and effect than a rejection of liberalism.It's doubtful that the signatories to the British North America act in 1867 ever wanted to create a truly free society or had any intentions beyond imperialism. Canada has no great history of classical liberalism in thought or practice and certainly nothing compared to events like the U.S. declaration of independence.Historically, liberalism was a moral doctrine. It applied to every man, regardless of his position or status in life, the rights and principles of self-ownership, autonomy, and freedom and the naturally corresponding rights of property and self-defense, under the condition that these rights are respected and reciprocated to his fellow men. But then the question arises of how to ensure that condition is met. The need to maintain social order in a liberal society is undeniable. There is a need for members of a society to impose pressure on others when their rights are violated. And here classical liberalism takes a moral premise and turns it into a political mistake, by assigning the maintenance of social order to the state, in this case the Canadian and Provincial governments.Canada and the Provinces derive their justification from individuals and property owners who look to them to protect their rights as such. Classical liberal thinkers agreed with Thomas Jefferson: “…governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” In this way, self-ownership and private property precede the existence of the state. The state is granted a monopoly on the use of force by individuals so that it can protect the rights of individuals.Having been granted this monopoly on the use of force, the state has the authority to 1) to tax - to confiscate property, and 2) to regulate - to set laws and rules on how individuals can use their property, 3) to redistribute the funds necessary to protect the individuals’ rights and maintain social order, i.e. police, judges, etc. It is the paradoxical conclusion of classical liberalism that while in theory it sets out to preserve private property and self-ownership, in execution it forces the surrender of private property and self-ownership to the state through taxation and regulation.Although classical liberal thinkers would even today argue that the intention should be to limit the size and scope of the Canadian and Provincial governments, this is impossible in practice, and these governments have grown to impact every aspect of life in Canada. Once the political means of monopoly, taxation, regulation, and of centralized power are accepted, liberalism, in the true, moral sense no longer exists. What you are left with is the reaction to liberalism.Consistent liberal thought, libertarianism, where the primacy of the individual and their rights to property are respected, rejects this monopoly on the use of force. Classical liberalism is inconsistent in this regard. Liberalism - to the extent it was implemented - did create an economic environment that allowed for huge advances in technology and economic prosperity which we still see today when countries abandon their totalitarian policies and embrace individual rights, freedom of association, liberalized trade, etc. The reaction to that which liberalism has endowed is split broadly into two camps – modern liberalism (socialism) and conservatism.Modern liberalism, such as Trudeau’s Liberal Party of Canada, represents an egalitarian response to true liberalism, which is socialism. They view the economic prosperity of a free market as providing an unfair advantage to some and therefore justify the seizure and redistribution of property and wealth, which has already been accepted as necessary to the maintenance of a liberal social order.Conservatives represent a reactionary response to liberalism, but only to whatever type of liberalism is directly in front of them. It was them who originally defended feudalism at the onset of classical liberalism. Today the Conservative Party of Canada refers to themselves overwhelmingly as classically liberal, meaning they are willing to promote the ideas of self-ownership and property but not at the expense of the authority of the state. They want to preserve t

Brett Oland is the CEO of Bow Valley Credit Union. We had the chance to talk about the financial crisis in 2008, inflation, and how gold can protect a person in these inflationary times. We also talk about the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies and Open Banking.He will be speaking at this year’s Capitalism & Morality Calgary event Saturday, May 25, 2024. There is still a limited amount of space available. Use promo code DARCY for 20% off. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

The Capitalism & Morality Calgary seminar is coming up on May 25. If you're on this mailing list, use promo code Darcy for 20% off.The original Vancouver Event happens on June 1st. The founder of Capitalism & Morality, Jayant Bhandari will be joining us as one of our speakers in Calgary this year and he is our guest today.Jayant is well known not only for his for his international investment expertise but also his insights into the philosophical and ethical underpinnings of a free society.He has also developed a reputation for his devastating cultural critiques of societies that lack Western values.This quote does a nice job summing up Jayant's political philosophy:At the heart of capitalism lies morality, which gives rise to institutions built on principles of liberty, justice, and contractual integrity. Societies lacking in ethics see the proliferation of tyrannical and predatory systems. Attempts to enforce top-down values in such societies backfire as institutions adapt to underlying moral deficiencies, exacerbating societal issues.We are grateful for the chance to hear from Jayant at this year's event in Calgary.Register at: Calgary Seminar: Capitalism and Morality This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

It’s the remnant that counts. Clayton Reeder is the co-organizer of the Capitalism & Morality Calgary Seminar. He’s also been organizing the Calgary Libertarian Meetup Group for about 10 years. He will be speaking at the Capitalism & Morality Calgary Seminar on Saturday May 25, 2024. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

Capitalism & Morality Calgary May 25, 2024Capitalism & Morality Vancouver June 1, 2024It was nice to catch up with Tim Moen. Thanks to him for having me on his show. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

Per Bylund joins us to talk about a few things that we didn’t have time to cover at the Capitalism & Morality event in Calgary. Per gave an excellent talk on How Regulations Destroy the Economy and even after his very convincing arguments some people still grapple with the idea that State imposed regulations are necessary. Building codes and safety standards are examples of things which none of us believe should be done away with, but the questions remains of whether or not the State is well-equipped to be the voice of reason in these matters.Just as the idea of free market regulatory bodies is a hard one to grasp sometimes, the term Capitalism itself is often problematic. Per explains how many debates are unproductive due to a misunderstanding in definition. We often refer to a free market as capitalism, which is accurate. . . in a sense. Yet the left will describe capitalism as the corruption of State authority by those with deep pockets, which is also accurate. . . as long as the State has that authority.We talk about the State expanding it’s power through Central Bank Digital Currency. We know how quick the Canadian Government was to shut down peoples bank accounts during the trucker convoy. CBDC’s could be used in much more subtle ways. Maybe you’ve eaten too much beef and not enough bugs, your money simply won’t work to purchase certain items, or support certain causes like the freedom convoy.Per has a great article published through the Brownstone Institute where he explains Why Economic Cost was so Seriously Neglected during the pandemic. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

Forget that the last election was the most important one in your lifetime. This one, they will tell you, is more important and the next one will likely be important again. No matter where you live, in every provincial and federal election there is an undercurrent of urgency and impending doom. Alberta was once the bastion of conservative philosophy. The Progressive Conservatives held power for 44 years until Rachel Notley showed up in 2015. The only places with more single party longevity in the world during those years were Cuba and North Korea - both being communist, authoritarian and undemocratic.Josh Andrus from Project Confederation joins us to give us an overview of what issues Albertans will be taking with them to the ballot box on Monday.Affordability is big one, we talk about how responsible fiscal policy at home can protect Albertans from reckless monetary policy in Ottawa. We also talk about decentralization and inescapable underlying theme of tension between Ottawa and Alberta. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

The Darcy Gerow Podcast is a production of Capitalism & Morality . comSecession is a hot topic these days and today we have two experts on the subject.First up is Ryan McMaken, senior editor at the Mises Institute. His new book is called Breaking Away, The Case for Secession, Radical Decentralization, and Smaller Polities. Next up is Cory Morgan, political activist, columnist, host of the Cory Morgan Show and author of The Sovereigntists Handbook, Charting the Course to Western Independence.“The issue of Canada is important because that’s an example of a country with a similar cultural background [to the U.S.] and the same language. So, when people will say ‘If America were into [smaller] pieces, then they would immediately be in a state of war with each other.’ . . And then I ask why has the United States been at peace with Canada since 1815?” -Ryan McMakenRyan McMaken does a fantastic job of exposing the flaws in anti-secession arguments. It’s even comical when those arguments are put into the proper context.But say you don’t need to be convinced of the benefits that decentralization and smaller polities provide, then what? Well, that’s why Cory Morgan talks strategy.Cory Morgan will be at the Capitalism & Morality Calgary Event on Staurday, May 20th, 2023, where you will have the chance to ask questions and get your hands on his book.Use promo code DGPODCAST15 and register Here for 15% off the ticket price. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

The Darcy Gerow Podcast is a production of Capitalism & Morality .comKeith Knight is managing editor at the Libertarian Institute. He joins us today to talk about his book, The Voluntaryist Handbook and so much more.“. . . and how bad is Justin Trudeau on every issue? . . To see this guy champion the little guy and the working class and then how he vilified the truckers immediately!” -Keith KnightCanada has no great think tanks and organizations strictly dedicated to the hard-core, anarcho-capitalist, libertarian philosophy, like the Libertarian Institute. That’s why I try to produce content that hits on the that particular world view from a north of 49 perspective. Keith Knight does not disappoint in helping me fill my Canadian content ambitions.We do actually talk about his book, The Voluntaryist Handbook, which is a fantastic collection of the theory and philosophy that behind our philosophy and it features a few key Canadian names. Samuel Edward Konkin III (SEK3), whose contributions to agorist thought and theory have inspired and instructed entire communities on how to remove themselves from state oppression, was born right here in Alberta, and is featured in The Voluntaryist Handbook.“Agorism can be defined simply: it is thought and action consistent with freedom. . . Agorism is the consistent integration of libertarian theory with counter-economic practice; an agorist is one who acts consistently for freedom and in freedom.” - Sam KonkinThis is easily one of my favorite episodes that we’ve released at The Darcy Gerow Podcast. Keith doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to the Russia/Ukraine conflict. He makes a very strong case that Justin Trudeau is a far greater threat to individual Canadians than any leader of any foreign country (with maybe the exception of Biden).Tickets are on sale now for the Capitalism & Morality Calgary Seminar. This event is guaranteed to sell out. Register Here and use promo code DGPODCAST15 before April 20, 2023 to get 15% off the ticket price.-Darcy This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

The Darcy Gerow Podcast is a production of Capitalism & Morality .com. Libertarians have a reputation for holding conspiratorial beliefs about monetary policy and Central Banks. In some ways, this reputation is well deserved. For the most part, however, it represents a wide-spread misunderstanding of money and economics in the general public.Luke Tatum joins us to talk about his book Between the Lies: How to Reclaim Your Future from the Banks and Wall Street. We talk about how the Federal Reserve - or the Bank of Canada here in Canada - impacts a person’s life in ways they don’t fully understand. Even though his book is U.S. centric, the same ideas apply to the banking cartel in Canada. Only the names of the institutions and programs change.And we don’t only talk about the problems, Luke brings solutions to the table!Tickets are on sale now for the Capitalism & Morality Calgary Seminar. Register Here and use promo code DGPODCAST15 for 15% off the ticket price. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

The Darcy Gerow Podcast is a production of Capitalism & Morality .com.Vancouver is dying. Aaron Gunn has made a name for himself with his hit online series Politics Explained. In it he’s covered subjects where common sense seems to be completely absent from the conversation.When the outrage mob and left-wing activist politicians in Victoria tore down the statue of Sir John A. Macdonald, Aaron was there and became an authority on the subject. “. . .because the media and political activists in this country are so lazy, they just copy and paste things from the United States. . .” -Aaron GunnObviously, Canadian history is different from American history and Macdonald is different than American historical figures. We talk about how an activist, left-wing city council in Victoria set a precedent for the destruction of not just statues, but Canadian history.Even if you disagree with the views of historical figures, is it better to erase them? If your story is not supported by actual historical fact, then sure, tear down a statue, censor historical facts and hide behind false virtue and politically correct woke nonsense.Vancouver is dying. Policies that incentivize open drug use, invasions of property rights and random violent attacks have led to a societal decay which is unprecedented in the modern western world. It is truly horrifying. You don’t have to turn on Netflix to see zombies, it’s not even contained to East Hastings anymore. Many small towns across B.C. are experiencing the same thing due to mimicking the same terrible policies.Twenty years ago politicians were criticized for subsidizing drug addiction through public health care. Now they’re barely criticized for handing out free heroin to the criminally insane. People in Vancouver are being randomly struck across the head with blunt objects and then forced to subsidize the drug addiction and degenerate lifestyle of the person who hit them. I know it sounds like a metaphor for government. I wish it was only that.We get into it and more!And don’t forget. . . Tickets are on sale now for Capitalism & Morality Calgary on Saturday May 20, 2023. Register Here and use promo code DGPODCAST15 for 15% off! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

The Darcy Gerow Podcast is a production of Capitalism & Morality .comMad Max Bernier is back!As the leader of The Peoples Party of Canada, Max takes a lot of heat for his views on immigration, the economy, and the Russia - Ukraine conflict, and he doesn’t waver on these positions. That’s one of two things I like the most about him. He’s consistent.Here’s the other.When Max was running for leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada, some of his detractors gave him the nickname Mad Max. It’s an obvious reference to the Mel Gibson classics. His critics seem to think that any small cut in funding to corporate welfare or foreign aid is going to turn Canada into some sort of post-apocalyptic wasteland. His response (and ours for that matter) was to embrace it. I think we all remember the meme with his head photoshopped on to Mel Gibson’s body. And then, of course, there is the speech about how he is mad, mad about what has happened to Canada.We’re always happy to have Max on the show. Today we take a deep dive into these topics and the philosophy and economics that helped Max create the PPC platform.As mad as Max is, we still manage to have a few laughs in the process.Max will also be speaking at the Capitalism & Morality Calgary seminar, Saturday May 20, 2023. Tickets go on sale March 20! So make sure to keep following us here as we add speakers. There are some big announcements coming down the pipe.-Darcy This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

Is there a constitutional crisis brewing in Canada? Trudeau’s blatant overreach into provincial affairs and the daily lives of average Canadians are quickly accelerating that possibility. Josh Andrus is the executive director of Project Confederation. He joins us today to explain how the differences between Alberta and Ottawa won’t be resolved under the current constitution, and - like it or not - a constitutional convention is coming.You don’t have to drive too far outside of Edmonton into rural Alberta before you notice that most of the Canadian flags are either flying upside down or they are absent entirely and only the Albertan one is waving in the prairie wind. Regardless, one thing that becomes obvious is that anti-Trudeau sentiment has boiled over into complete disdain for Ottawa and the Laurentian elite power structure.As a project of the Alberta Institute, Project Confederation aims to alleviate that tension and bring the provinces back into a united Canada through a series of policies aimed at decentralizing power in Ottawa and away from the PMO in particular.These include electoral reform, free trade across provincial borders, and the Triple “E” Senate which is undoubtedly popular with those a sense of nostalgia for the glory days of Reform in western Canada. Josh and I get into all of this and more.And don’t forget to sign up here to stay up to date on the Capitalism and Morality Calgary Seminar this May! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

It’s obvious that Justin Trudeau, his Liberals, the bureaucratic State, and even many of your friends and neighbors have a hard time with economics. Many of us, despite knowing that Trudeau and his cronies are wrong, lack confidence in our own understanding of economics. Economics can be an intimidating subject and it’s easy to get confused when you hear Tiff Macklem, Governor of the Bank of Canada, talking about the how to manage the economy or “engineer a soft landing.”Per Bylund is an Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at Oklahoma State University and a Senior Fellow at The Mises Institute. He joins us to talk about his new book called How to Think About the Economy, A Primer.“[The economy] is all of our actions. It’s all of us economizing, trying to figure out how to get as much as possible out of the little we have. . . It’s about getting as high a standard of living as possible, leading as good lives as possible. . . The goal is to maximize how people can get better lives on their own terms.” -Per BylundOnce we understand what an economy is, that it is the aggregate on human action, of choice, of mutually beneficial transactions and cooperation, it’s easy to understand how Justin Trudeau and Tiff Macklem confuse people. They don’t even know what an economy is!Regulatory and monetary interventions only distort the real economy. They are just another way to redistribute wealth, usually at the expense of the working class and poor. Per explains how politicians don’t create any value at all. They just want to take what others create and distribute it in a way that they think is better. What politicians think is better is whatever will get them more votes. It’s more important now than ever to have a solid understanding of economics. Real economics. Austrian economics. You don’t need to take on Mises’ Human Action or Rothbard’s Man, Economy, and State right this minute. Just take a couple hours and read Per Bylund’s How to Think About the Economy. It’s an intentionally short and easy to read primer on economics and is sure to give you the momentum you need to take on some heavier titles. There’s also an excellent recommended reading list at the end. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

Gene Balfour is a candidate for the Ontario Libertarian Party and he joins us today to talk about his new book “What to do about Climate Change? A Libertarian Proposal.”Is the current climate hysteria justified? Probably not.Is climate change an issue that requires government intervention? As Gene and I discuss, it is definitely not.The current laws and regulations in place to pursue a “green” environment in Canada have an easily recognizable stagnating effect. The redistributive nature of these policies contribute to economic and social decay. Whether the benefit is worth the cost is not easily quantifiable because any benefit - measurable in the improvement of life on this planet - will never be realized.Measured in dollars collected in taxes, however, or how many people in wealthy, industrialized societies are forced back into serfdom, it can be argued to be a glaring success. Gene Balfour explains how politicians and special interest groups have been able to perpetuate these ideas despite their shaky foundation.But then what is the solution? Why, the market of course. We’ve all read the libertarian explanations of how property rights and private property would solve these environmental concerns - to which Gene and myself both agree - but the question still arises of how to placate those who are ardent believers of the climate hysteria?Again, as always, the answer is the market and it’s incredible capacity for creative solutions and co-operation. Gene’s proposal consists of all those elements, but the point is that there would be endless, creative solutions available if only we could get government out of the way.-Darcy This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

You don’t have to look very far in Canada today to see signs of social and economic decline. In cities like Vancouver or Toronto the tent cities and homeless encampments have steadily increased over the past 15 years since the financial crash of 2008. So, it would follow that a person should look at the predominant and fastest growing cultural and political ideology over that same period.The term woke can be traced back to the 1940’s when it referred to the racism and discrimination of that time. In the early 2010’s the term came to encompass a broader spectrum of social justice including sexual orientation. In the wake of the 2008 crash it began to take stock against the corrupt and crony institutions to which it falsely applied the term capitalism. Today gender identity and climate change have been able to crowbar their way into mix and the anti-free market rhetoric has grown exponentially.Our guest today is Jayant Bhandari. He explains how woke culture is an unproductive and regressive way of thinking.Many people consider wokeism to consist of harmless, left-wing talking points and nothing more. Jayant makes the point that these people should not be considered leftists. Stalin would have culled these people and sent them to the gulag. Even communism requires a certain degree of intellectual discipline, which woke culture does not possess.There were many third world countries that actually improved their standard of living thanks to the advent of communism, albeit by copying the institutional processes of the west. Wokeism, however, is only capable of degenerating an already existing social and economic structure. It’s ideas strip society of already existing wealth. It produces nothing and has no cohesive cultural underpinning.Western industriousness and entrepreneurship have given us sufficient wealth to sow the seeds of intellectual laziness. We are now bearing that fruit.Jayant explains how immigration and democracy have compounded the problem. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

Todd Brown is the founder and executive director of F.I.R.E. (the Firearms Institute for Rational Education). He has written policy and consulted for many Canadian political parties including the PPC and Libertarian Party federally, in Alberta for the Wildrose Party, Freedom Conservative Party, Wildrose Independence Party and the United Conservative Party, and for the Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan.When the Trudeau Liberals announced through an Order-in-Council that many firearms, previously considered acceptable, were now prohibited, many firearms advocacy groups and some conservative politicians were quick to open the debate as to what firearms should be prohibited or not. Todd Brown and myself think that they miss the mark.The real question is whether an individual has committed a crime.Common sense would posit that where there is no victim, there is no crime. Assault or threats of violence are clearly crimes. Robbery or theft is a crime. The simple act of owning a gun, any gun, causes no harm to anyone. Gun owners have been legislated in to criminality.Likewise, some groups like to use the government licensing structure as a backdrop of legitimacy for their firearms advocacy. Here too, they have ceded too much ground. A license - in the sense that we would regard a firearms license - is a permission granted by the government so that someone may engage in an activity considered unlawful. The license itself does not make a gun owner peaceful or responsible, and again, the simple act of ownership creates no victim. The license is a fine you pay in advance for doing something illegal. Hence guns in Canada are illegal by default.Bill C-21 takes many prohibited firearms that have been grandfathered into licensing and makes them wholly unusable and inaccessible through a "storage only" clause. Current owners can keep their grandfathered guns if they never see the light of day, and even this comes with a swath of compliance requirements. Then, once the person passes away, the gun is seized and destroyed. This is confiscation. Where these instruments have not been engaged in any criminal activity, there is no justification for the government to rob the deceased person's estate.The bill encroaches further by giving the government more power to suspend and revoke firearms licenses without due process. Without a license, the gun owner is deemed unlawful, and all firearms must be surrendered.The legislation also refers to prohibited or restricted firearms as weapons, which speaks volumes as to why they want to make them illegal. The State views these things as weapons yet wants to be the only entity who has possession of them. Whereas peaceful and responsible gun owners would never imagine using them in force against another person, that is the only use the State has for them.I am not a gun owner, but nothing makes want to own one more than the government telling me I can’t. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

On April 25, 2022, The Government of Canada established the Public Order Emergency Commission (POEC) to inquire into the circumstances that led to the declaration of emergency that was in place from February 14-23, and the measures taken for dealing with the emergency.If you followed the POEC at all , you would have seen our guest today, Eva Chipiuk, cross-examining Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Not only was Eva passionate about the cause of liberty, she also had skin in the game. Her business was one of many that was forced to close permanently due to lockdowns.As Eva points out in our conversation, The Emergencies Act was previously known as The War Measures Act, which powers were reserved for exactly what it sounds like. . . a declaration of war. The creeping expansion of State power had already drawn a line in the sand when the act was passed in 1988.Until now, no precedent had been set regarding the Emergencies Act legislation.The commission was meant to examine the Trudeau government's decision to declare a public order emergency, the circumstances that led up to it, and whether or not it was appropriate or effective.At the end of it, the best we can hope for is some policy change recommendations which might make it more difficult for the government to declare war on it's own citizens. The alternative is an emboldened State authority that can continue to take drastic and draconian measures on a national scale to deal with bouncy castles , unlicensed hotdog vendors, and parking violations.Justin Trudeau takes a lot of flack for being a drama teacher, but, as I've said before, his acting skills are on point. Even though he was caught lying many times during questioning, you can almost understand how he appeals to low IQ voters.The government's credibility should forever be in question after this inquiry, but, after all, this is a case of the state investigating the state, so we’ll see. Have a listen. -Darcy This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

Medically assisted suicide is one of those subjects that has many people reconsider previously held views and opinions, especially in a state funded, socialist healthcare system. Tim Moen is back to help us break down what is happening with Canada's MAiD program (Medical Assistance in Death). In 2016, when the original MAiD legislation was passed, 1,018 people chose to end their life using the program. In 2021, it was up to 10,064, or 3.3% of total deaths in Canada. 31,664 people in total have used Canada's state funded healthcare to end their lives.Like anything, there are good arguments on both sides of this discussion. Individual autonomy and self-determination are among the values we hold most paramount. What one person decides to do with their self is really none of my business, as long as they are not aggressing against anyone else. And, let's be honest, people are perfectly capable of taking their own lives, with or without approval from anyone else.On the other hand, and without getting too much into the weeds here, we all believe in the sanctity of life. It's never easy to hear that someone has chosen to end their own life. Even though we may understand the pain they might endure to continue living, we may often disagree with their decision.The problem really becomes clear once the State is involved. Anyone who might otherwise object to this sort of program on religious or ethical grounds, are still forced to participate by paying for it through taxation. Even Doctors who would not be willing to participate in MAiD are forced to by referring their clients to someone who will.Then, of course, there is the general problem of disincentives inherent in any socialized system. The overall unworkability of Canadian healthcare was blatantly exposed by its inability to deal with Covid, and there have been multiple instances of seniors accessing MAiD services rather than living through more government lockdowns.Then there are the Canadian Veterans coming forward with stories of being offered medically assisted suicide in lieu of being given the proper treatment and support that they require. These are the people our government has engaged to put their lives in danger in service of this country, one of them a Paralympian who needed help getting up the stairs.Now the Government of Canada is looking to expand the MAiD program to include mental illness as a sole factor which qualifies a person for medically assisted suicide. To normal people, the ethical contradictions of State sponsored suicide are obvious. We've seen the number of people die through this program multiply by ten times a year since it's inception. Then to expand the program to include mental illness, a symptom of which is often suicidal tendencies, and to expect that number to continue to grow, seems horrifying. Tim and I discuss how a truly free market could solve some of these problems. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

By the end of 2021 many restaurants in Calgary had quietly closed their doors for good, some had caved to the Covid regimes covenant, and only too few decided that enough was enough.Without Papers Pizza was a favorite spot for Calgarians. Inglewood, the oldest part of the city was not yet completely gentrified when WOP opened. It was the perfect mix of inner city class and early western industriousness, bordering rail yards to the east, office towers to the west and the mighty Bow River to the north.Jesse Johnson was born and raised in Calgary. He had built a comfortable lifestyle as a restauranteur in the up-and-coming lower east side of his city. Without Papers Pizza was a friendly, classy place in a part of the city that had formerly suffered from a bad reputation, a reputation due to its laissez faire approach to difficult social subjects such as drug addiction and sex work. Having lived and worked in Inglewood myself for many years, the one thing I can say is that it was a wonderful community, supportive and understanding of the hard-done-by and downtrodden. But when Jesse Johnson took up the mantle which represented that community - his community - he was met with retribution and scorn.Jesse refused to enforce the vaccine passport program in his restaurant. He lost everything because he believed that all Canadians are equal and that everyone has a right to sit down with family and friends and enjoy a meal. He lost everything for serving an unvaccinated man a slice of pizza.It’s hard to believe, when we look back only one year, at the insane groupthink that gripped the entire world, that this one restaurant owner and his few patrons couldn’t just be left alone. Jesse received calls of support from all over the world. He had given people hope when all hope was lost, but he paid the price one does when you take on a tyrannical state.Years ago, I spent many evenings at Without Papers. I especially liked the olives. I would have always remembered the place with fondness, now I’ll remember it as a bastion of liberty, something that defended a belief that is disappearing. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

Alex Joehl is the interim leader of the Libertarian Party of British Columbia. He joins us to get us caught up on B.C. politics, Langley municipal politics, and their new Premier.ICBC and no-fault insurance is among our topics. Who would have thought that a government monopoly would cause prices to increase and quality of services to fall? Yes, I will admit that short term cuts in prices are attractive, but the money still has to come from somewhere.We don’t shy away from the word “privatize” on The Darcy Gerow Podcast though. Like Alex says, “We want to legalize the free market”. We relate this philosophy to public schools, healthcare, and everywhere else where freedom of choice, and the ability of individuals make decisions in their own life is limited.We talk about why libertarians should run for local offices. We have a great time and I hope you enjoy the episode.Thanks.-Darcy This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

First, some housekeeping. I’ve taken a few long breaks from releasing podcast episodes. I want to thank everyone who reached out and I want to let you know that, yes, everything is fine. In fact, despite the state of the world, and Canada specifically, life is great.It’s no secret that I have a day job and not in academia or politics either. For the sake of being able to look at myself in the mirror, I will always work in the private sector. I also have a young family and spending time with them is the priority.Simply put, I’ve been busy. I do apologize and I am humbled by everyone who has let me know that they miss the show. I mean that with a great deal of sincerity. Thank you.So here it! Jacques Boudreau, leader of the Libertarian Party of Canada, is back and we have nothing good to say about Freeland and Trudeau’s testimony at the Inquiry into the invocation of the Emergency Act.What is with the weird black curtains and bad lighting at that thing? It’s either meant to impose a very Orwellian ambiance, or it’s taking place in a middle-school gymnasium and the Liberals, in their first attempt at fiscal responsibility, gave the contract to the worst grade 9 stagecraft class in the country.Besides that, we talk about the crazy elites and central bankers who are pushing for a digital currency which is tied to your carbon footprint. And, as always, a little about guns, a splash of socialized healthcare, and a pinch of me accidentally editing out Jacques’s laughter so it sounds like I’m laughing at my own jokes with a long awkward silence afterwards.Enjoy!-Darcy This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

Andrew Lawton’s bestselling book, The Freedom Convoy: The Insides Story of Three Weeks that Shook the World, tells the whole story of the convoy, including his own on-the ground reporting and countless hours of interviews with organizers and volunteers.We talk about his book, its success, and its importance - not only from a historical point of view - but also about independent journalism making the difference in how this story was told, documenting everything from bouncy castles and pig roasts to late-night dance parties.But to the media and government, it was a hate-filled insurrection requiring the unprecedented invocation of the federal Emergencies Act.Andrew is not shy to criticize the mainstream media and their outright political bias, but as you’ll hear, he maintains an intelligent, well-reasoned nuance that is often missing from the conversation.Listen to the episode and check out The Andrew Laton Show at True North. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

Not all Canadians suffered the effects of lockdowns equally. Bank of Canada employees had to suffer through pay raises and bonuses equaling $45 million in 2020 and 2021! Well deserved given that their mandate, as defined in the Bank of Canada Act “is to promote the economic and financial welfare of Canada.”And it’s not just the Bank of Canada where this is happening. Government bureaucrats received $171 million in bonuses during the pandemic while regular Canadians were locked out of their businesses or forced into unemployment. The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, whose mandate is “to make housing affordable for everyone in Canada,” gave its employees $48 million in bonuses while inflation drove housing costs up to record levels.“I can’t believe I have to say this, but bonuses and pay raises are for when you do a good job!” -Franco TerrazzanoFranco Terrazzano joins us from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation to discuss how out of touch crown corporations and federal bureaucracies are with average Canadians. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

Jimmy Morrison’s 2018 documentary, The Housing Bubble, is an entertaining and easy-to-digest lesson on the history and economics of what caused the American housing crash and subsequent crisis. It has interviews from those who predicted the crash like Ron Paul, Peter Schiff, Jim Rogers, Marc Faber, David Stockman, and Doug Casey. It was co-wrote and produced by Tom Woods, who wrote the New York Times bestseller, Meltdown, which is one of the definitive, must-read, accounts of what happened in the crash of 2008.In early 2020, Jimmy and I had begun to make plans to hold a screening of the film in Calgary, AB, the Canadian Premier! This was shortly before governments around the world began to shut down the economy due to Covid fears.We may have missed our chance then, but Jimmy gets us caught up on things since then in this episode. We talk about how the problems that caused the housing bubble were never dealt with properly, only entrenched into the political/financial systems. We also talk about the current student loan bailouts in the United States, which exacerbate the real problems.Now, you might be thinking that this subject does not apply to Canadians, but how wrong you would be. Jimmy’s film points out the main causes that lead to such a high degree of malinvestment, and you might have guessed it: it’s Politicians and Central Banks, not unlike the causes of our current economic woes here at home.You also might think that this subject is one to be relegated to the history books, and again will find yourself corrected after you watch the film. Not to mention, Jimmy has a new movie coming out next year called The Bigger Bubble. It has the same great lineup of people who predicted the housing bubble and you’ll get to find out what they’re predicting next.Listen to the episode then check out The Housing Bubble movie at thebubblefilm.comAnd stay tuned here, as Jimmy and I are planning a Canadian watch party for the film and a Q&A with some of the experts from the movie.-Darcy This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

From Jacques Boudreau:Hello,I hope you're doing well. I wonder if you could help me, although I recognize it's a bit awkward.Every three years, Elections Canada (EC) requires that every registered political party provides signatures from 250 of its members. By the deadline of June 30th, we had only received 170 in spite of repeated emails asking the members to fill out the required form. Since then, we have received another 20 or so. We ran into similar issues 3 years ago and were granted an extension to get to 250 by EC. We are hoping for the same although there are no guarantees.We have decided to waive the $10 fee to become a member to anyone who will sign the form below.This is not a trick on my part to get more members but simply a desire to keep the party from being de-listed and therefore cease to exist. I don't want to cause problems to anyone and it's fine if for whatever reasons you don't feel comfortable signing the form. However, if you're willing and able to help, please follow the steps below. Please pass this along to anyone you who know who might be willing to help.ThanksJacquesAll we ask of you is to scan or take a picture of the signed form and text or email it back to the party. That's it. It will not take any more than 10 minutes of your time to help the Libertarian Party of Canada remain a registered political party in Canada.* Print the form available at https://www.elections.ca/pol/pol/formsreg/ec20360_add_14_e.pdf.* Complete the full name of the political party (Libertarian Partyof Canada).* Select Type 2 - Existing Registered or Eligible PoliticalParty.* Sign and date in ink (electronic signatures will be rejected byElections Canada).* Complete your member information (this will help us update ourdatabase as well).* Scan or take a picture of the completed form and send it to [email protected]* You can also text it to 613-513-3581. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

It seems that if politicians in Ottawa and the various Provinces are unclear on what the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms says, they should simply ask the people who wrote it. Instead, it seems as though they just don’t care what it says.Brian Peckford is the former Premier of Newfoundland an Labrador. He joins us to talk about his court case against the Federal Government in which he makes the point that the imposed covid travel restrictions were unconstitutional and violated the charter rights of Canadians. And he should know, as he is the last living First Minister who worked to negotiate the Canadian Constitution and to craft the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

Even though the travel restrictions imposed on Canadians are being lifted, Maxime Bernier says he, along with former Newfoundland Premier Briand Peckford and the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, will continue their legal challenge against the feds.On Tuesday, the Trudeau government announced that the mandatory vaccination requirements for domestic air travel and outbound flights will end on June 20. The vaccine mandate for federal employees will also end. Other restrictions for travelers entering Canada will remain in place, including testing and quarantine for the unvaccinated.Max and I recorded this episode Monday afternoon, so a few comments are already out of date. Though, before we knew these restrictions were being lifted, Max and I discussed the importance of a court decision on this subject and his commitment to see it through regardless of the end of mandates.The precedent needs to be set that restricts the federal government’s ability to impose these type of unconstitutional - and worse, immoral - restrictions on Canadians. The battle, however, is on two fronts: one being the court case mentioned, and the other being the battle for public opinion, of which there are good reasons to be optimistic.We can all wish Max the best of luck in this endeavor.-Darcy This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

Things are moving quickly these days. It seems almost impossible to stay up to date on everything making news. Thankfully we have Cory Morgan around. He joins us today to get us up to dat on some of the crazy things taking up space on the news headlines.We touch on a number of subjects including: the Trudeau Liberal’s handgun ban, Bill C-5, Calgary City Councils climate activism policies, The CPC leadership race, and - as always - Canadian healthcare.Also mentioned in this episode are my interviews on Episode #15 with Matt Bufton where we talk about advocating for classical liberalism in Canada, and Epsiode #6 with Tim Moen talking about his experience in the failing Canadian healthcare system. If you haven’t already, make sure to go back and give them a listen.-Darcy This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

It is a real honor to have Walter Block join me to talk about his 2006 book The Privatization of Roads and Highways. He has been called the most prolific living libertarian, having written over 600 peer reviewed articles and more than 30 books. He currently holds the Harold E. Wirth Eminent Scholar Endowed Chair in Economics at the School of Business at Loyola University New Orleans, and is a senior fellow at the Ludwig Von Mises Institute. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com