George Jonas Freedom Award Dinner - Toronto, Vancouver & Calgary
2022 Award Winner: Tamara Lich
The Board of Directors of the Justice Centre considered many worthy candidates for the 2022 Award and ultimately selected Tamara Lich. Ms. Lich inspired Canadians to exercise their Charter rights and freedoms by participating actively in the democratic process, and took the initiative to help organize a peaceful protest and serve as one of its leaders. The resulting peaceful protest in Ottawa awakened many Canadians to the injustice of Charter-violating lockdowns and mandatory vaccination policies. Ms. Lich has suffered for the cause of freedom by spending 18 days unjustly jailed, and exemplifies courage, determination and perseverance.
We recognize that Canada's legal system is founded on a principle of innocent until proven guilty. While Ms. Lich's bail conditions prohibit her from entering Ontario, these are under appeal and the outcome of the appeal is pending. For any questions, please email: dinners@jccf.ca
Tickets: Regular: $200 | VIP: $500 | Early Bird: $150
An exclusive reception for VIP ticket holders will be held from 4:30-5:30 before dinner. Location of venue will be sent to ticket holders closer to the date of the event.
Toronto - Thursday, June 16, 2022
Vancouver - Wednesday, July 13, 2022
Calgary - Thursday, August 11, 2022
About the Event
Freedom is a foundational Canadian principle, which George Jonas (1935-2016) promoted throughout his life, both before and after coming to Canada from communist Hungary.
A renowned Canadian author, poet and columnist, George Jonas made freedom a consistent and important theme in all of his writings. The annual George Jonas Freedom Award recognizes and honours one individual each year who has contributed significantly to advancing and preserving freedom in Canada.
This wonderful evening includes a reception, dinner, the award presentation, and keynote speeches.
See the past George Jonas Freedom Award winners below:
Past Winners
The George Jonas Freedom Award - 2021
Award Winner: Canadians resisting unconstitutional lockdowns
Location: Zoom Event
Date: October 2021
Guest Speakers: Dr. Jay Bhattacharya and Dr. Francis Christian
This exclusive event will feature the premiere of "Canada's Freedom Fighters", a video showcasing courageous and notable Canadians across the country resisting unconstitutional lockdowns.
Listen: Watch the Zoom Event
The George Jonas Freedom Award - 2020
Award Winner: Society for Academic Freedom and Scholarship (SAFS)
Date: October 2020
Keynote Speaker: Rex Murphy
Established in 1992, SAFS is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that focuses on maintaining freedom in teaching, research and scholarship at post-secondary institutions in Canada. SAFS opposes speech codes, extra-legal tribunals and infringement on free speech of the academic community, both faculty and students, to research and teach on controversial subjects.
The George Jonas Freedom Award - 2019
Award Winner: Christie Blatchford
Date: June 2019
The Justice Centre's George Jonas Freedom Award recognizes one Canadian each year who has made significant contributions to defending Canada's free society. This year's Jonas Award recipient was Christie Blatchford. Christie was introduced by renowned defence attorney Marie Henein at the Eglinton Theatre in Toronto, June 14.
The George Jonas Freedom Award - 2018
Award Winner: Mark Steyn
Date: June 2018
The George Jonas Freedom Award was presented to Mark Steyn on Friday June 15, 2018 at the Eglinton Grand in Toronto. The award ceremony included a reception, dinner, and accolades to George Jonas from those who knew him best, concluding with a keynote speech from Mark Steyn.
Mark Steyn is a well-known Canadian human rights activist, political commentator and best-selling author. Steyn’s human rights campaign to restore free speech to Canada led to the repeal by Parliament of the notorious “Section 13” restrictions on free expression.