HALDIMAND—Haldimand Norfolk MP Leslyn Lewis has drawn national attention for her support of a petition aimed at seeing Canada withdraw as a member of the United Nations and its subsidiary organizations, such as the World Health Organization.
On January 3, 2024 Lewis shared a link to the petition on her social media stating, “Over 60,000 Canadians have now signed a petition calling on Canada to protect our national sovereignty by withdrawing from the UN and its subsidiary organizations. The petition remains open for signature until February 7th.”
The petition states that Canada’s continued membership imposes “negative consequences on the people of Canada, far outweighing any benefits.”
In a series of bullet points, the petition blasts the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (described as Agenda 2030 in the petition), accusing it of undermining “national sovereignty and personal autonomy.”
It states that certain items of the agenda, related to topics like ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ (SDG) and ‘Comprehensive Sexuality Education’ (CSE) are being “rapidly implemented, absent the awareness and consent of the People or their elected representatives.”
It goes on to claim that in addition to having “negative impacts on potentially every aspect of life,” the agenda means “publicly funded educational institutions are damaging children while concealing information from parents. Normalization of sexual values and activities with regard to children are endorsed and enforced, beginning at birth.”
The petition also claims that “secretly negotiated amendments to the IHR (International Health Regulations) could likely impose unacceptable, intrusive universal surveillance, violating the rights and freedoms guaranteed in the Canadian Bill of Rights and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms,” and finally goes on to state that these “sweeping impacts” serve the UN/WHO alongside “unelected private entities (e.g. World Economic Forum, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, International Planned Parenthood Federation, etc.).”
The petition was submitted by a Burnaby, BC resident, Doug Porter, who has affiliations to two far-right groups, ‘Prevent Genocide 2030’, whose website claims that the UN is planning a “global genocide,” and ‘Stand4Thee’, which is known for staging protests at drag story time events, opposing public health orders, and encouraging citizen arrests of local politicians.
In an interview with online publication ‘Press Progress’, Porter said he sent the petition to Lewis for sponsorship, a requirement for it to be submitted to the House of Commons, after viewing comments she made online, adding that she seemed like the “right person”. He noted that he communicated with two staff members at Lewis’ office, who helped revise sections of the petition.
In that interview, Porter claimed that Lewis’ office had requested the section of the petition related to sexual education be toned down, and that he had a disagreement with her staffers over a line in the petition that refers to the Canadian Bill of Rights. Porter claims Lewis’ staff changed that reference to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, leading to a compromise wherein both are referenced in the petition.
Following several reader-requests that The Press reach out to Lewis for additional information, The Press contacted Lewis for some clarification on her involvement in the petition and why she chose to support it.
“It’s important to note what a petition is and what it is not. A petition is not a piece of legislation that attempts to change the law. Petitions are one of the only mechanisms that Canadians have to formally present views to the House of Commons, and that a Minister is required to give a formal response from their government. Petitions are a way for Canadians to spark conversations in the halls of power, and among other Canadians,” said Lewis.
Asked to clarify her direct involvement with Porter, Lewis offered, “Regarding this petition specifically, in the fall of 2023 my office received a request to sponsor a petition from Mr. Porter. My office reviewed his proposed petition and recommended softened language without adding any substantive content. This is the extent of my office’s communications with Mr. Porter.”
She noted that she is not a member of or connected with Prevent Genocide 2030 or Stand4Thee, “nor have I worked with them on any initiatives that they may be involved in.”
The MP did not offer any further comment on the matter, choosing not to respond to several questions, including:
Can you talk about the claims made within the petition and why you personally support it?
Doug Porter is affiliated with views associating the UN with extreme conspiracies, such as plans for global genocide, children being sexualized through education, and altering human DNA. Do you share these beliefs, and how do they align with your stance on Canada’s withdrawal from the UN?
What sources or evidence support the claims made in the petition regarding the UN’s negative impacts on Canada?
As of January 16, the petition had reached over 81,700 signatures. Those interested in reading the petition or signing can visit ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-4623.
