God, Family, Country And the Courage to Speak: A Tribute to Charlie Kirk

God, Family, Country And the Courage to Speak: A Tribute to Charlie Kirk By Councillor Lisa Robinson Sometimes, a single voice can shake a nation. Charlie Kirk has been that voice. Whether you agree with him on every issue or not, he has been unapologetic about speaking the truth — even when it made him a target. He has taken hits from the media, political elites, and powerful institutions. And yet, he has never backed down. That matters — not just in America, but here in Canada too. Because we are in a moment where censorship is no longer theoretical. It is not just about being “cancelled” online — it is about being silenced in real life, stripped of your reputation, your livelihood, and your ability to serve the people who elected you. I know this firsthand. When you tell the truth in a time of moral confusion, you will be called every name in the book — hateful, bigoted, extremist, even “alt-right” or “Nazi.” And when you refuse to go along with lies, you will be treated like you are the criminal. But here’s the truth: freedom of speech is not just about protecting polite, agreeable speech. It is about protecting the speech that makes the powerful uncomfortable — the speech that challenges official narratives, that refuses to bow to mob pressure, that defends what is right even when it is unpopular. And no one — no one — deserves to be threatened, harassed, or assassinated for their views. Yet that is the direction we are heading when governments, media, and political elites normalize silencing people whose words don’t fit their narrative. When you tell people that someone’s speech is “dangerous,” you justify any punishment against them — and that is a very dangerous road. I have seen this in Pickering. Integrity Commissioners, Councils, and Codes of Conduct are being used not as tools of accountability, but as weapons — to muzzle elected officials, punish dissent, and make examples out of anyone who dares to speak out. It is easier for those in power to silence one voice than to debate them in the open. Charlie Kirk has reminded millions that our loyalty must be first to God, family, and country — in that order. God gives us truth. Family gives us purpose. Country gives us freedom. When any of those are attacked, our duty is to stand up — loudly, clearly, and without apology. I am standing up here in Canada because the stakes are too high to sit down. If we allow censorship to grow unchecked, if we allow speech to be policed by those in power, then democracy itself is in danger. This is not just about politics. It is about whether truth will be allowed in the public square — or whether we will all be forced to live by government-approved lies. Charlie Kirk has shown what it looks like to take the arrows and keep going. He has inspired countless young people to love their country, to embrace faith, and to stand strong in a culture that mocks both. I am honoured to join that fight here at home. Because God, family, and country are worth fighting for. Because truth is worth fighting for. And because freedom — once lost — is almost impossible to win back. The time for fear is over. The time for courage is now. You’re not alone