Why does the government get to decide who is a journalist?
After the three-hour hearing, the judges told us they’d publish their ruling later.
I just got back from three hours at the Federal Court of Appeal. Rebel News was fighting for our right to be accredited journalists under the Liberal journalism licensing scheme, also called “Qualified Canadian Journalism Organization”, or QCJO.
Arrayed against us was a phalanx of government lawyers sent by Mark Carney. Oh yes: he is continuing Justin Trudeau’s policy of restricting journalism from independent voices.
I admit, I was a bit depressed when I recorded that! It’s so frustrating to be in a room where government lawyers are telling a government judge that government bureaucrats get to decide what is or isn’t “real” journalism. By what right?
It was even more frustrating to know that we’re almost alone in this battle — 99% of other journalists accept subsidies from Mark Carney, and are thus completely OK with this regulation regime. And of course the Canadian Association of Journalists is nowhere to be found — they’re too busy counting their government grants from Carney.
Under Trudeau (and now Carney) there are only two types of journalists in Canada: 1. Those paid for by the government; or 2. Those punished by the government. There’s nothing in between.
After the three-hour hearing, the judges told us they’d publish their ruling later. I’m pessimistic, to be honest. But even if we lose, I think we have to keep on fighting — all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada, if necessary.
If you believe in fighting for freedom of the press — not just for Rebel News, but for everyone’s benefit — please do me the personal favour of clicking here, or going to www.LetUsReport.com. I haven’t received the legal bill for this hearing, but it will surely be at least $25,000. Unlike the government’s lawyers (who are paid for by taxpayers), we have to pay our own bills. If you believe in what we’re doing, please help out. (Thank you.)
This QCJO business really is the “Get Rebel” bill — I’ve heard two journalists call it that. It’s designed to hurt us, because Trudeau (and now Carney) think we foil some of their worst plans.
I guess I should be flattered by the fact that they hate us — it shows we’re on the right track. I’m just worried that the cost of this litigation will sink us — that’s also their plan. If you can please help me crowdfund the cost, I’d be so grateful. Please click here or go to www.LetUsReport.com — thanks.
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Ezra Levant
Rebel Commander
Ezra Levant is the founder and owner of Rebel News and the host of The Ezra Levant Show. He is the author of multiple best-selling books, including Ethical Oil, The Libranos, China Virus, and most recently, Trudeau's Secret Plan.
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COMMENTS
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Tonie Sternbergh commented 2025-09-26 12:23:35 -0400“But we know that the law (is) good, if a man use it lawfully;” 1 Timothy 1:8(KJB)
“For all the law is fulfilled in one word, (even) in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Galatians 5:14(KJB) -
Bruce Atchison commented 2025-09-25 19:59:05 -0400It’s all about control. We citizens are gas-lit by those who assume they can do whatever they want and we should just shut up and take it.
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Tonie Sternbergh commented 2025-09-24 23:11:16 -0400The bottom of the third page and the beginning of the fourth page of the second document states, “The mandate of the Advisory Board…whether an applicant satisfies the criteria TO BE ENGAGED in the production of original news content..”
It seems to say that simply reporting original news content is not sufficient to be considered reporting original news content and that, in fact, some PRIOR criteria must first be met. It seems to be saying that a journalist cannot be engaged in journalism if they have not satisfied this PRIOR criteria. If this is in fact the meaning of these lines in this document,
this is clearly a gag order, and is not truth. We can always report on what we have seen and what we have heard. If the Advisory Board can determine in advance, with criteria, who can report and who cannot report, who can speak and who cannot speak, what we can say and what we cannot say, then they have clearly taken away our voice, and no one has the right to do that. We cannot learn if we cannot have a conversation. “Come now, and let us reason together,…” Isaiah 1:18 -
Bernhard Jatzeck commented 2025-09-24 21:22:24 -0400Did Pravda hire just anyone off the street?
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Bruce Atchison commented 2025-09-24 19:28:20 -0400The government does because they can. It’s why we must keep opposing their tyrannical tendencies. I’ve supported Rebel for 9 years and I won’t stop now.
