Keeping Financially Healthy During Covid-19 with Maria Rekrut on All Things Real Estate, July 02, 2020 at 8:00 pm EST. Maria Rekrut is a long time real estate investor who has seen many ups and downs in the economy since 1982, when she started her first business and has always made “Lemonade out of Lemons”. https://youtu.be/BwwyD5f0154
TRUTH FOR CHANGE: How Business Will Transform in 2026
Welcome to a forward-looking discussion on the key shifts shaping business in 2026. This year marks a transition from experimentation to real-world impact, driven by maturing AI, economic volatility, geopolitical factors, and evolving consumer expectations. Businesses that adapt proactively will not only survive but thrive by turning these changes into growth opportunities.
Here are several major changes experts predict for 2026, their effects on everyday business operations, and practical ways to leverage them for expansion:
1. AI Shifts from Pilots to Core Infrastructure and Agentic Workflows
AI is no longer a “nice-to-have” tool—it’s becoming the default operating system for businesses. In 2026, we’ll see widespread adoption of agentic AI (autonomous agents that handle multi-step tasks) and AI embedded in daily workflows, moving beyond chatbots to end-to-end automation in operations, decision-making, and customer interactions.
Impact on everyday business:
Routine tasks like inventory management, customer support, predictive analytics, and even internal software creation will accelerate dramatically. This could reduce costs by 20-30% in some areas but also disrupt roles, with many employees expecting significant job changes. Small delays in adoption could lead to competitive disadvantages, as real-time operations become essential.
How to take advantage and grow:
Integrate AI as infrastructure—start with high-impact areas like process automation or personalized marketing. Businesses that redesign workflows around AI (e.g., using agents for supply chain optimization) can scale faster, launch products quicker, and create new revenue streams (like AI-powered services). Early adopters could see efficiency gains that fund expansion into new markets.
2. Embracing Uncertainty and Volatility as a Strategic Asset
Economic and geopolitical turbulence (tariffs, trade shifts, inflation concerns) will persist, but 74% of executives see this as creating new opportunities. Businesses must become more agile, with real-time decision-making and adaptive strategies.
Impact on everyday business:
Supply chains may face disruptions, pricing pressures, and higher costs for energy or imports. Traditional long-term planning gives way to scenario-based agility, affecting cash flow, inventory, and vendor relationships.
How to take advantage and grow:
Build resilience through diversification (e.g., nearshoring or multi-supplier strategies) and leverage volatility for innovation—pivot to emerging markets or value-driven products. Companies that operate in “real time” (using data/AI for instant adjustments) can capture market share from slower competitors and turn uncertainty into a differentiator.
3. Sustainability Moves from Reporting to Execution and Profit Driver
Sustainability is shifting from ambitious targets and compliance (e.g., CSRD, ESG reporting) to tangible execution, circular models, and measurable ROI. It becomes a core business lever rather than a side initiative.
Impact on everyday business:
Expect more scrutiny on supply chains, energy use, and product lifecycles. Regulations like carbon border adjustments will raise costs for non-compliant operations, while consumer demand for ethical, durable products grows.
How to take advantage and grow:
Embed circularity (reuse, refurbish) and sustainable design into products to cut waste and attract loyal customers—leading to premium pricing and new revenue from “green” lines. Link sustainability to efficiency (e.g., AI-optimized energy use) for cost savings that boost margins and fund growth. Position your brand as a “clean winner” to build trust and expand market share.
4. Hyper-Personalization and Customer-Centric Shifts
With AI maturing, businesses will deliver highly personalized experiences at scale, from marketing to product recommendations and shopping (e.g., AI agents as personal shoppers).
Use AI for predictive personalization to increase retention and upsell opportunities. Focus on timeless, high-value products that align with well-being trends. This drives loyalty, higher lifetime value, and organic growth through word-of-mouth in a trust-focused era.
In 2026, the winners will be agile, AI-native, and purpose-driven businesses that view change as fuel for innovation. Start small: audit one high-impact area (e.g., AI automation or sustainability integration), pilot it, measure results, and scale. The future belongs to those who act decisively—embrace these shifts to not just survive, but lead and grow your business stronger than ever. What’s one change you’re most excited to tackle this year?
Agentic AI Examples: Real-World Applications in 2026
Agentic AI represents the next evolution beyond basic chatbots or generative tools. These autonomous AI agents can independently observe situations, reason through complex problems, plan multi-step actions, use tools (like APIs, databases, or external services), execute tasks, and even learn from outcomes—all to achieve a specific goal with minimal human intervention.
Unlike traditional AI that waits for prompts, agentic systems act proactively, handle uncertainty, and manage long-running workflows. In 2026, they’re moving from pilots to production across industries, often as single agents or collaborative multi-agent teams.
Here are some practical, real-world examples of agentic AI in action today:
1. Autonomous Customer Service Resolution
An agentic AI handles an entire customer support ticket from start to finish without escalation (in many cases).
How it works:
– Customer reports a missing package.
– The agent checks order status across systems, verifies delivery, initiates a replacement/refund, updates the CRM, notifies the customer via email/SMS, and follows up to confirm satisfaction.
– If needed, it escalates only complex issues while learning from patterns to improve future resolutions.
Real impact: Companies report resolving up to 80% of issues autonomously (projected by Gartner), cutting handling time by 40% and boosting customer satisfaction scores significantly.
Here are some visual representations of how agentic AI orchestrates customer service workflows:
These diagrams show single vs. multi-agent collaboration and end-to-end autonomous flows.
2. End-to-End Sales & Lead Management
Sales agents qualify leads, personalize outreach, book meetings, and even upsell—all autonomously.
How it works:
– Ingests CRM data, website behavior, and market info.
– Generates tailored proposals, follows up on emails, analyzes responses, and updates pipelines.
– For complex deals, it coordinates with marketing or finance agents.
Real impact: Businesses see 25-67% productivity boosts in sales teams (e.g., via tools like Salesforce Agentforce or Microsoft integrations), shorter cycles, and higher conversion rates.
3. Supply Chain & Operations Optimization
An agent (or team of agents) monitors inventory, predicts disruptions, reroutes shipments, negotiates with suppliers, and adjusts production in real time.
How it works:
– Observes global events, demand signals, and costs.
– Triggers actions like restocking or rerouting to avoid shortages.
– In manufacturing/logistics, agents manage robots or workflows end-to-end.
**Real impact:** Reduces costs by 20-30%, improves agility amid volatility, and enables dynamic pricing or just-in-time inventory.
Visual breakdown of collaborative multi-agent systems in operations:
These illustrate hierarchical and team-based agentic workflows.
4. IT & HR Autonomous Workflows
– IT Service Management: Resolves complex tickets (e.g., access requests) by verifying identity, checking policies, approving permissions, and confirming—without human help.
– HR Onboarding/Recruiting: Screens candidates, schedules interviews, generates offers, and handles paperwork, reducing admin time dramatically.
Real impact: 65%+ ticket deflection rates in some deployments, freeing teams for strategic work.
Why This Matters in 2026
Agentic AI isn’t just faster automation—it’s about **goal-driven autonomy** with reasoning, memory, and adaptation. Major players like Salesforce (Agentforce), Microsoft (Copilot agents), Anthropic (Claude with tools), and OpenAI are standardizing protocols for safer, interoperable systems.
The shift is clear: From reactive tools → proactive “digital colleagues” that own workflows.
Businesses adopting these now gain massive edges in efficiency, customer experience, and scalability. Start small—pick one high-volume, repetitive process (like support tickets or lead follow-up), add guardrails, and scale from there.
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Fully Furnished 4-Bedroom Family Home with Huge Yard & Powered Workshop Kalar Road Area, Niagara Falls West (McLeod/Garner/Montrose) $2,650/month all-inclusive (heat, hydro, water, high-speed internet, lawn care & snow removal included) Available NOW – 12 or 24-month lease preferred
THE HOUSE
3 spacious bedrooms + full bathroom upstairs
Fully finished basement with 4th bedroom (or home office/guest suite) + second full bathroom
Open-concept living/dining/kitchen with white appliances, stove, fridge, microwave
Everything is furnished and move-in ready: queen bed in primary, queen and double and king beds in others, desks, dressers, patio set – literally just bring your suitcase
Massive fully-fenced backyard with deck, and kids’ play space
Huge 16×20 powered shed/workshop with lights, outlets, and workbench – perfect for hobbyist, mechanic, woodworker, or home gym
Private driveway with parking for 2 cars (no fighting for street parking)
5-minute drive to QEW, 7 minutes to the Falls/Clifton Hill, 15 minutes to St. Catharines or NOTL
Walking distance to elementary schools and the new Niagara Falls Hospital lands
Surrounded by trails and greenspace – feels like country living with city convenience
LANDLORD PAYS FOR Heat ✓ | Hydro ✓ | Water/Sewer ✓ | Unlimited Wi-Fi ✓ | Lawn mowing & snow clearing ✓ (No surprise bills – your rent is truly all-in)
WHO THIS HOME IS PERFECT FOR
Relocating executives or doctors coming to the new hospital
Families wanting space and a big yard without the hassle of furnishing
Short- or long-term corporate stays
Anyone who wants to live like they already own the home (because a rent-to-own purchase option is also available at $463,900 if you fall in love)
First and last month required. Credit check, references, and proof of income/employment.
Private showings starting this weekend. Text or call (437) 437-600-6860 or send an email to niagarafurnishedrentals@gmail.com to book your tour. This one will not last – serious inquiries only please!
(Photos and video tour available on request – prepare to be impressed!)
By Maria Rekrut, Real Estate Rebel November 2, 2025
How Economic Chaos, Skyrocketing Costs, and Looming Deadlines Are Crushing Investor Portfolios in 2025
I’ve been in real estate for over 25 years, starting in 2000—buying single family homes in Ontario, scaling my Short Term Rental Units in Niagara, and even dipping my toes into fix and flip. It was supposed to be the golden ticket: leverage, appreciation, passive income. But lately? It’s felt like watching a house of cards collapse in slow motion. Prices are tanking, governments are stacking the deck against landlords, Indigenous land claims are redrawing maps overnight, and now censorship bills are gagging anyone who dares call it out. If you’re an investor like me, staring at your portfolio and wondering if it’s time to bail, you’re not alone. This isn’t just a dip; it’s a systemic gut-punch. Let’s unpack how these forces are colliding and where they’re dragging us all.
Tenant Laws: The Landlord’s New Nightmare
Remember when being a landlord meant being the boss? Those days are deader than a flipper’s margins in a buyer’s market. Across Canada, provinces are rolling out tenant protections that make eviction feel like a felony. In Ontario, Bill 97 (the “Working for Workers Act” sequel) just expanded rent controls to all units built after 2018—goodbye, vacancy decontrol. British Columbia’s latest salvo? Caps on security deposits and mandatory “good faith” negotiations for renewals, turning every late payment into a tribunal circus.
Quebec’s no better: the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL) is now fast-tracking tenant complaints, with fines for landlords up to $5,000 per violation. And don’t get me started on the federal push via the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)—their “Renters’ Bill of Rights” is floating around Parliament, promising nationwide caps on increases tied to inflation plus 2%. Inflation’s at 3.2% right now; that’s a 5.2% max hike when your costs (insurance, taxes, maintenance) are spiking 8-10%.
The result? Yields are evaporating. A Toronto triplex that netted 6% last year? Now it’s scraping 3.5% after legal fees and lost rent from endless appeals. We’re not investors anymore; we’re reluctant social workers, subsidizing lifestyles we can’t afford ourselves. Disappointing? Try soul-crushing.
Land Back: Redrawing the Map Under Our Feet
If tenant laws are a thorn, Indigenous reconciliation is the earthquake. It’s noble in theory—who wouldn’t support righting historical wrongs?—but the execution is chaos for property owners. In Richmond, BC, the Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam nations just secured a landmark deal last month: 200 acres of waterfront land reverted to Indigenous title, including prime development sites along the Fraser River. That’s not abstract; it’s $500 million in assessed value yanked from the market overnight. Developers are scrambling, permits frozen, and resale values in the area have dipped 12% since the announcement. As one local broker told me off-record, “It’s like the government’s saying, ‘Sorry, not yours anymore—oh, and good luck selling.'”
Zoom out to Quebec, and it’s apocalypse-now territory. The Cree Nation and Innu filed a massive claim in 2024 under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement’s successors, demanding co-management (read: veto power) over half the province’s territory—think 400,000 square kilometers of boreal forest, mining rights, and hydro infrastructure. The Quebec government blinked first, offering a $2.5 billion settlement package that includes land transfers and revenue shares from resource extraction. But here’s the kicker: it explicitly targets “underutilized” private holdings for buybacks at “fair market value.” Fair? Try 20-30% below comps, per early appraisals. Hydro-Quebec’s already halting expansions; real estate adjacent to claimed lands is hemorrhaging value, with Montreal-adjacent cottages down 15% YTD.
For investors, this isn’t “progress”—it’s expropriation by another name. Our portfolios, built on the assumption of stable title, are now lottery tickets in a game where the house always wins. And the worst part? Questioning the pace or process gets you labeled a colonizer. More on that in a sec.
The Price Plunge: From Boom to Bust in Record Time
All this regulatory Armageddon is doing what gravity does best: pulling prices down. Canada’s national average home price hit $685,000 in Q3 2025— a 7.8% drop from last year’s peak, per CREA data. Vancouver? Down 11%. Toronto: 9.2%. Even “affordable” markets like Halifax are off 6%. Why? Supply’s flooding in—ghost inventory from spooked sellers, plus government incentives for first-time buyers (hello, 30-year amortizations) that ironically juice demand short-term but scare off investors long-term.
Vacancy rates are climbing to 4.5% nationally, the highest since 2002. Rents? Stagnant or falling in 60% of major markets, thanks to those tenant shields. My own holdings? A duplex in Burnaby that’s lost $80K in equity since spring. We’re not talking a correction; this is a reckoning. And with interest rates hovering at 4.75% (Bank of Canada whispers of cuts notwithstanding), cap rates are compressing to oblivion. Buy now? You’d need a crystal ball and a prayer.
Censorship’s Chilling Grip: Bill C-2 and the Death of Dissent
Just when you think it can’t get worse, enter the censorship creep. Bill C-2, the innocuous-sounding “Strong Borders Act” from earlier this year, started as immigration reform but ballooned into a surveillance state Trojan horse. Buried in its 400 pages? Provisions for “hate speech” monitoring on platforms, with fines up to $1 million for “disinformation” that “undermines social cohesion.” Real estate tie-in? Try discussing Indigenous claims or tenant laws critically—sudden fact-checks, shadow-bans, or worse, CRA audits if you’re deemed a “disruptor.”
It’s the sequel to C-11 and C-63: governments deciding what’s “harmful” speech, with real estate investors caught in the crossfire. Want to blog about how land-back deals tank your ROI? Risk a CRTC complaint. Podcast on Quebec’s claims? Platform liability under C-2 could nuke your reach. We’re self-censoring out of fear, stifling the very debates that could lead to balanced policy. It’s not just disappointing—it’s dystopian. Free markets need free speech; without it, we’re flying blind into the storm.
Where Are We Headed? A Roadmap for the Ruins
So, what’s the endgame for us real estate die-hards? Buckle up—it’s not pretty, but it’s not hopeless.
Diversification or Die: Ditch the all-in Canada bet. Look south to U.S. sunbelt markets (Texas, Florida) where yields still hit 7% without the reconciliation roulette. Or go REITs—liquid, diversified, and immune to on-site evictions.
Short-Term Plays Only: Long holds are toxic. Focus on Airbnbs in tourist havens or student housing where regs are looser. But even there, watch for provincial pivots.
Advocacy Over Silence: Despite C-2’s shadow, join coalitions like the Canadian Home Builders’ Association. Push for “investor protections” in reconciliation deals—tax credits for compliant holdings, say.
The Big Pivot: If prices keep sliding (and models say another 5-10% by 2026), cash out high-basis assets now. Reinvest in hard assets like farmland (ironically, less exposed to urban claims) or even crypto-stabilized income streams. Real estate’s not dead, but the Canadian dream version? On life support.
We’re heading toward a bifurcated market: the ultra-luxury enclave for the 1%, and the rest—a regulated rental dystopia where investors are tolerated at best, vilified at worst. My disappointment runs deep; I poured my life into this, only to watch ideologues and activists rewrite the rules mid-game. But here’s the silver lining: the smart ones adapt. The rest? They’ll be the cautionary tales.
Like Klaus Schwab of the World Economic Forum warned us. ” You Will Own Nothing and Be Happy”#quote
What about you? Holding firm or bailing? Drop your thoughts in the comments—before C-2 decides they’re “harmful.” Let’s talk before the muzzles tighten.
If this hit home, subscribe for more unfiltered takes on surviving the squeeze. Share if you’re as pissed as I am.
why real estate investments are failing in 2025, real estate market crash effects on small investors, high interest rates killing real estate dreams, navigating loan maturities in commercial real estate 2025, insurance cost surges impacting property investors, geopolitical risks unraveling real estate portfolios, how inflation is turning real estate into nightmares, recovering from overleveraged real estate investments, signs of real estate bubble bursting for investors 2025, ai disruption challenges in commercial real estate investing, high vacancy rates hurting rental income 2025, political uncertainty effects on housing market investors, supply shortages causing real estate investor nightmares, refinancing risks for real estate owners in uncertain economy, regulatory changes challenging real estate portfolios 2025
CANADIANS BEWARE YOU WILL NO LONGER OWN YOUR OWN PROPERTIES!
Homeowners warned private property may be in doubt following BC court’s Indigenous ruling
There’s a really great and startling article that all Canadian Home Owners need to read about your property rights!! Share this with all home owners you know.
Cheers, Maria
Hundreds of Richmond, British Columbia, homeowners have been warned their private property could be jeopardized by a recent court ruling granting Aboriginal title to the Cowichan Tribes.
There’s a great article I found on Substack that I feel every Canadian needs to read. Thanks to 🇨🇦CANADARISING🇨🇦 for having the courage to share this article with all of the Canadian Citizens who are awake and will never go back to sleep!!
Mark Carney will do anything to transform Canada into a WEF wet dream — even if it means moving temporarily to the centre-right just long enough to win the majority he needs to finish the job.
Once that power is secured, watch how fast he pivots back to the far left.
Ruining Canada to Save His Reputation
Carney’s Net-Zero obsession isn’t about Canada’s future — it’s about protecting his own legacy. It’s like taking over a century-old, wildly successful company and “restructuring” it into a venture that might take 5 to 20 years just to break even — if it ever does.
For a nation built on natural wealth, that’s not progress. That’s sabotage.
Ruining Canada to Save His Reputation
The price tag for Canada’s Net-Zero transition is staggering — up to $140 billion every year through 2050, just to fund renewable energy, electrification, and carbon capture. Earlier estimates placed the total cost around $2 trillion.
Even partial measures toward 2030 goals are expected to erase 250,000 jobs and shrink GDP by 7%.
From Carbon Taxes to Zoning Reforms—What Homeowners Need to Know
10 Game-Changing Housing Policies Set to Reshape Canadian Homeownership in 2025
As Canada grapples with a persistent housing crisis, affordability challenges, and evolving environmental priorities, 2025 promises to be a pivotal year for homeowners. From stricter energy standards to rental restrictions and foreign investment curbs, a wave of new laws and policies is poised to alter how Canadians buy, sell, rent, and maintain their properties. Drawing from expert analysis in a recent video breakdown, this article explores the top 10 developments that could make or break your real estate plans. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, long-term landlord, or suburban homeowner, staying informed is your best defense. Let’s dive in.
1. Carbon Tax-Driven Building Code Overhauls: Efficiency or Expense?
Starting next year, federal carbon tax policies will enforce sweeping changes to building codes, mandating upgrades like superior insulation, heat pumps, and low-emission materials for all new constructions and major renovations. Homeowners face retrofitting costs that could exceed $50,000 per property, with non-compliant homes potentially uninsurable or unsellable. While aimed at slashing emissions, critics argue this burdens middle-class families without adequate rebates, turning “green” living into a financial green light for contractors.
2. Nationwide Crackdown on Short-Term Rentals: Airbnb’s Days Numbered?
Municipalities from Toronto to Vancouver are rolling out bans on short-term rentals (STRs) unless the property is the host’s primary residence. Expect rigorous licensing, hefty $10,000 fines for violations, and mandatory data-sharing with platforms like Airbnb. For supplemental income seekers, this spells trouble—many will pivot to long-term leases or sell outright, tightening the rental market and driving up prices for everyone else.
3. Zoning Shifts for the ’15-Minute City’: Goodbye, Suburban Dreams?
The push toward walkable, self-contained neighborhoods—dubbed “15-minute cities”—is fueling aggressive zoning reforms. Single-family lots could be rezoned for multiplexes, parking minimums slashed, and green spaces repurposed for density. With limited public consultation, these changes risk eroding neighborhood aesthetics and property values, sparking backlash from homeowners who cherish their quiet cul-de-sacs. Proponents, however, see it as essential for urban sustainability.
4. CMHC Tightens the Mortgage Reins: Qualification Nightmares Ahead
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is ramping up eligibility rules, demanding higher credit scores, lower debt-to-income ratios (now capped at 35%), and more brutal stress tests. First-time buyers may find themselves sidelined, while renewers face surprise rate hikes. This “prudent lending” push aims to cool speculation but could lock out millennials and Gen Z, exacerbating intergenerational wealth gaps in an already inflated market.
5. Quebec’s Anti-Renoviction Legislation: Tenant Power vs. Landlord Woes
In la belle province, a new bill empowers renters to contest “renoviction” notices, forcing landlords to substantiate renovation needs and grant tenants first dibs on returning post-upgrade. While protecting vulnerable residents from displacement, it may deter much-needed property improvements, leading to a stale rental stock and higher turnover costs. Quebec’s unique tenant-landlord dynamics just got even more complex.
6. Escalating Vacancy Taxes: No More Empty Nests?
Cities like Vancouver and Toronto are hiking vacancy taxes to 3-5% of assessed value, now targeting not just investors but everyday Canadians with vacation homes or inherited properties. Evasion means audits, liens, and penalties—imagine proving your lakeside cottage isn’t “underused.” This revenue tool for affordable housing funds could push owners to rent or sell reluctantly, injecting supply but at the cost of personal flexibility.
7. British Columbia’s Rental-Only Zones: Locked into Leasing?
BC municipalities gain authority to designate swaths of land as “rental-only,” barring owners from converting units to personal use or sales without approval. This anti-speculation measure might stabilize rents short-term but traps investors in perpetual tenancy, clashing with life changes like retirement or family growth. It’s a bold experiment in social housing that could redefine property rights on the West Coast.
8. Ontario’s Green Belt Reversal: Development Dreams Derailed
After a brief flirtation with expansion, Ontario has reinstated full Green Belt protections, voiding hundreds of approved housing projects. Developers are reeling from sunk costs, while nearby homeowners watch values dip amid uncertainty. This environmental win for farmland preservation highlights the tug-of-war between growth and conservation, leaving aspiring builders—and their financiers—in the lurch.
What began as a two-year federal moratorium on non-resident home purchases is now a permanent fixture, with fines up to $10 million for violators and expanded enforcement via immigration data. While curbing overseas speculation, it may inadvertently shrink new construction (as foreign capital dries up) and inflate prices in hot markets. Canadians cheer the move, but economists warn of unintended supply squeezes.
10. Expanded Underused Housing Tax: No Hiding for Corporations
The federal underused housing tax (UHT)—once aimed at foreign owners—is broadening to snag Canadian corporations, trusts, and even co-owned vacation spots. At 1% of value annually, plus labyrinthine filing rules, non-compliance invites audits and back-taxes. This equity-focused levy could flush empty luxury pads into the market but burdens family estates and small businesses with red tape.
Navigating the New Normal: What Homeowners Can Do
These policies reflect Canada’s dual quest for sustainability and equity, but they come with real risks: higher costs, reduced flexibility, and market volatility. Homeowners should audit their properties for compliance, consult local realtors on zoning shifts, and explore incentives like energy rebates to soften the blow. Policymakers promise these measures will foster a fairer housing landscape, but for now, adaptation is key. As 2025 unfolds, one thing’s certain: the Canadian dream of homeownership is evolving—fast.
This article is inspired by insights from real estate commentator Kyle Hankins in his video “10 Laws & Policies Coming in 2025 That Could Affect Canadian Homeowners.” For the full discussion, check out the original source.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RynIhknhDA
Canadian housing policies 2025, real estate reforms, sustainable urban planning, affordable housing crisis, environmental regulations, homeownership, rental market, zoning laws, mortgage rules, green building, short-term rentals, vacancy tax, foreign investment, real estate market trends, carbon tax, building codes, 15-minute city, CMHC, renoviction, Green Belt, underused housing tax,
When governments turn offence into law, liberty collapses into sentiment. Canada risks importing Britain’s mistakes, just as J.D. Vance warned Europe in Munich.
In the shadow of recent global upheavals—from the echoes of January 6 in Washington to the street-level tensions in European cities—nations are grappling with how to safeguard democracy without strangling the very freedoms that define it. Enter Canada’s Bill C-9, the so-called Combatting Hate Act, introduced on September 19, 2025, by Justice Minister Arif Virani. On the surface, it’s a well-intentioned bid to fortify protections against hate propaganda, hate crimes, and intimidation at religious or cultural sites. The bill amends the Criminal Code to eliminate the need for Attorney General consent before laying charges for hate propaganda offenses, streamlines prosecutions, and introduces new penalties for obstructing access to places of worship. Who could argue with making communities safer, especially amid rising antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of bigotry?
Yet, beneath this veneer of protection lies a peril more insidious than the hatred it seeks to curb: the tyranny of feeling. When governments codify subjective offense into objective law, they don’t just police actions—they police thoughts, words, and the messy pluralism of public discourse. Bill C-9 isn’t merely a legal tweak; it’s a gateway to a sentiment-driven state where hurt feelings become handcuffs, and dissent is rebranded as danger. As U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance thundered at the Munich Security Conference in February 2025, Europe—and by extension, its transatlantic cousins like Canada—must heed the “retreat” of free speech before it’s too late. Vance’s words, delivered to a room of rattled European leaders, weren’t hyperbole. They were a siren call against the very trajectory Canada now courts.
The Slippery Slope of Sentiment
Bill C-9 expands the Criminal Code’s hate propaganda provisions, making it easier to prosecute expressions deemed “willfully [to] promote hatred against any identifiable group.” It also criminalizes “deliberately intimidating or obstructing” access to religious or cultural spaces, with penalties up to five years in prison. Proponents, including the government, frame this as essential for vulnerable communities: “Canadians of all races and ethnicities, faiths, sexualities and genders” deserve to “feel safe.” Fair enough. No one disputes the scourge of hate-fueled violence.
But critics, from the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) to the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group (ICLMG), warn of overreach. The CCLA argues the bill “risks criminalizing peaceful protest,” potentially ensnaring activists who block access to sites during demonstrations—think pro-Palestine rallies near synagogues or anti-abortion vigils outside clinics. The ICLMG goes further, decrying it as a tool to “criminalize dissent,” particularly against marginalized voices challenging state narratives on issues like Israel’s actions in Gaza. In a nation where Section 2 of the Charter enshrines freedom of expression as fundamental, this isn’t reform—it’s regression.
The tyranny here is emotional, not ideological. Laws like C-9 prioritize feelings over facts, elevating the subjective sting of offense above the objective clash of ideas. What constitutes “hatred”? Who decides when a protest crosses into “intimidation”? In practice, it’s often those in power, wielding the gavel like a sentiment gauge. This isn’t hyperbole; it’s history in the making.
Lessons from Across the Pond: Britain’s Cautionary Tale
Canada doesn’t need to speculate on the fallout—our neighbor to the east, Britain, has already walked this path and stumbled hard. The UK’s Communications Act of 2003 and Public Order Act of 1986 have long criminalized “grossly offensive” or “abusive” messages, leading to a parade of absurdities that Vance lambasted in Munich as evidence of free speech’s “retreat.”
Consider the cases: In 2012, a man was arrested for a Facebook post joking about digging up Nelson Mandela’s grave. Fast-forward to 2024’s summer riots, where pensioners and housewives faced jail for “offensive” social media posts criticizing immigration—posts that, in a freer society, might spark debate but not handcuffs. The Online Safety Act of 2023, hailed as a bulwark against harms, has instead amplified fears of a “chilling effect,” with platforms preemptively censoring content to avoid fines. As one commentator put it, the UK risks becoming a “tin pot Third World dictatorship” where even mild dissent invites the knock at the door.
Vance didn’t mince words in Munich: “In Britain, and across Europe, free speech, I fear, is in retreat.” He accused leaders of suppressing voters’ voices on migration and culture, prioritizing elite comfort over democratic vitality. European dignitaries bristled—German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called it “unhelpful”—but Vance’s critique landed because it’s rooted in reality. Britain’s experiment shows that when offense becomes the offense, liberty doesn’t just erode; it evaporates.
Canada, with its polite national mythos, might fancy itself immune. But Bill C-9 imports this exact playbook: vague thresholds for “hate,” expedited prosecutions, and a cultural tilt toward harmony at speech’s expense. We’re not talking about incitement to violence—already illegal under Section 319 of the Criminal Code. We’re talking about broadening the net to catch the uncomfortable, the provocative, the merely felt as harmful.
A Transatlantic Warning for a Northern Neighbor
Vance’s Munich address wasn’t just a U.S. flex; it was a mirror for allies like Canada. “The people of Europe are speaking,” he said, urging a rejection of “backsliding on freedom of speech and democracy.” For Canadians, the message is urgent: Don’t follow Britain’s lead into this sentimental snare. Our Charter isn’t a suggestion; it’s a bulwark. Yet bills like C-9 chip away at it, one “protected feeling” at a time.
Imagine a future where a tweet decrying government policy on indigenous land rights is flagged as “hate” against settlers. Or where a satirical cartoon about religious extremism draws charges of intimidation. These aren’t hypotheticals—they’re the UK’s present, and Canada’s potential.
Reclaiming Liberty from the Grip of Sentiment
The path forward isn’t to abandon protections against real harm but to refine them with precision, not passion. Demand amendments to C-9: Clear definitions, robust Charter safeguards, and independent oversight to prevent abuse. Engage your MP—Substack readers, fire up those newsletters; LinkedIn professionals, leverage your networks; website visitors, share this far and wide.
Liberty thrives not in the absence of offense but in its endurance. As Vance reminded Munich, true security comes from robust debate, not muffled mouths. Canada, let’s learn from Britain’s stumbles before we trip into the same darkness. The tyranny of feeling is seductive, but it’s no match for the light of free thought.
If this resonates, subscribe for more on the fraying edges of freedom. Share your thoughts below—what’s one “offense” you’d fight to keep legal?
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