The George Jonas Freedom Award
The annual recognition of a Canadian preserving and advancing freedom
CELEBRATE FREEDOM
George Jonas Freedom Award
The annual recognition of a Canadian advancing and preserving freedom.
2025 Recipient
Dr. Frances Widdowson
Author, academic, and conversationalist, Dr. Frances Widdowson is a champion of open inquiry, freedom of expression, and justice for the vulnerable.
During her time as policy analyst for the Government of Northwest Territories, Dr. Widdowson challenged what she called an “Aboriginal Industry” in which non-indigenous consultants and lawyers raked in huge profits while failing to provide indigenous communities with housing, education, healthcare, and water.
During her tenure at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Dr. Widdowson educated the next generation while continuing her own research on the causes of significant socioeconomic disparities between indigenous and non-indigenous Canadians.
Her activity is not limited to the classroom, however. Dr. Widdowson is a bold advocate for open dialogue and inquiry on university campuses that have become increasingly quick to censor and control public discussion.
With help from the Justice Centre, Dr. Widdowson is suing the University of Lethbridge in Alberta after the University cancelled her talk on “How Woke-ism Threatens Academic Freedom.”
Dr. Widdowson combines her quick mind with a critical mission to reclaim Canada’s campuses from censorship and blind consensus.
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our roots
About George Jonas
Author, poet, journalist and National Post columnist, George Jonas (1935-2016) made significant contributions to freedom in Canada after escaping from communist Hungary in 1956.
George Jonas experienced life under both Stalinist communism, as well as the pro-Nazi Hungarian fascist regime during the Second World War.
GEORGE JONAS FREEDOM AWARD
Past Recipients
Recognizing extraordinary Canadians through the years.
Ezra Levant
2024 Award Recipient
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson
2023 Award Recipient
Psychologist, academic, and public intellectual, Dr. Jordan B. Peterson is a prominent advocate for personal responsibility, responsible government, and freedom of expression.
Tamara Lich
2022 Award Recipient
Metis grandmother, musician, and leader, Tamara Lich played a prominent role in the 2022 Freedom Convoy in the nation’s capital, defending bodily autonomy and freedom of expression.
Canadians resisting unconstitutional lockdowns
2021 Award Recipient
Due to stringent travel and gathering restrictions, the 2021 George Jonas Freedom Award was awarded to all Canadians resisting unconstitutional lockdowns across the country.
Society for Academic Freedom and Scholarship
2020 Award Recipient
Non-partisan and not-for-profit, the Society for Academic Freedom and Scholarship promotes academic freedom in teaching, research, and scholarship at Canadian post-secondary institutions.
Christie Blatchford
Christie Blatchford
2019 Award Recipient
Celebrated journalist, author and war correspondent, Christie Blatchford championed justice and the rule of law in the Canadian criminal justice system.
Mark Steyn
Mark Steyn
2018 Award Recipient
Political commentator and author, Mark Steyn led a human rights campaign to have Parliament repeal the notorious Section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act in a significant victory for freedom of expression.