Safety Above ALL
How the culture of “safetyism” is eroding civil liberties in Canada
When does protection become overreach?
“Safetyism” refers to the cultural or institutional tendency to prioritize emotional or physical safety above all other values, even at the expense of freedom, personal development, or open debate.
While emergencies exist and concern for public safety is important, Canadian governments have exploited emergencies and engaged in increasing safetyism to justify censorship, surveillance, or restrictions on basic freedoms in the name of protecting people from discomfort, offense, or perceived harm.
Safetyism in Canadian history
Our newest downloadable report examines how the increasing prioritization of “public safety” has continuously undermined the foundational freedoms of Canadians in a compelling “Top 10” list format.
Using historical events and legislative trends that reflect a growing tension between state-driven safety initiatives and individual rights, readers are invited to question: when does protection become overreach?
Download our new report using the form below.
When does protection become overreach?
“Safetyism” refers to the cultural or institutional tendency to prioritize emotional or physical safety above all other values, even at the expense of freedom, personal development, or open debate.
While emergencies exist and concern for public safety is important, Canadian governments have exploited emergencies and engaged in increasing safetyism to justify censorship, surveillance, or restrictions on basic freedoms in the name of protecting people from discomfort, offense, or perceived harm.
Read our report
Our newest downloadable report examines how the increasing prioritization of “public safety” has continuously undermined the foundational freedoms of Canadians in a compelling “Top 10” list format.
Using historical events and legislative trends that reflect a growing tension between state-driven safety initiatives and individual rights, readers are invited to question: when does protection become overreach?
Download our new report using the form below.
Safety Above All
Our top ten instances in Canadian history where “safetyism” was used to justify violations of civil liberties.
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© – Canadian Constitution Foundation – 2025
