Freedom Flyer Fall 2000 Cover

Freedom Flyer 34

the official newsletter of the
Freedom Party of Ontario

Fall 2000



Article electronically reproduced from:

The National Post

July 22, 2000


Libertarians to talk freedoms at conference in London, Ont.

BY MARY VALLIS

More than 200 self-styled freedom fighters will converge in London, Ont., this week for the World Liberty Conference, an international gathering of libertarians. Beginning Sunday, delegates from 25 countries will discuss how to use civil disobedience as a marketing strategy; how individuals can take control of their lives; and how to set libertarian messages to music.

Each session is designed to popularize the principles of libertarianism, a peaceful movement championing a minimalist government, personal freedom and the primacy of property rights. The annual conference will help educate the public on the dangers of governments that impinge on an individual's rights, said Mary Lou Gutscher, who organized the conference for the International Society for Individual Liberty.

"At heart, almost everybody is a libertarian, because they would prefer to deal with their neighbours with a handshake," she said.

"The essence of libertarianism is non-violent interaction between these people. But with all these laws, we're required to bow to a third master, rather than just the person we want to deal with.

"Our goal is to stimulate the continuation of alternative forms of education and eventually make headway turning things around --- or to create new countries to live in that have a better base of law."

Described as a United Nations without the nations, the gathering's speakers list includes Barbara Branden, a student and colleague of Ayn Rand, who is credited with popularizing the Philosophical theory of Objectivism; Marc Emery, a former Vancouver mayoral candidate and vocal cannabis activist; and Dr. Rigoberto Stewart, who will share his strategy for turning a Costa Rican province into an autonomous region.

Terence Corcoran, editor of the Financial Post, and George Jonas, a syndicated columnist who occasionally writes for the National Post, will speak on junk science and the media and international courts, respectively.

Holding this year's conference in Canada is appropriate because it is one of the most socialist G8 nations and the country does not recognize the value of property rights in its constitution, Mrs. Gutscher said. She pointed to an impending change in legislation that may prevent citizens from using pesticides on lawns as one example of where Canada is criminalizing citizens by over-regulating their daily life.

The conference, which is open to the public, is on until Thursday at Middlesex College at the University of Western Ontario.




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