Whether it was implemented at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic as some health experts expected, or now as we near the end of the Omicron variant, I believe it was inevitable Canada would have to implement some form of the Emergencies Act to get through this civil crisis. Our population is too diverse and dispersed for a one-size-fits-all approach to work for an indefinite period of time.
Much is already being made by the opposition Conservatives of Justin Trudeau’s mishandling of the Freedom Convoy crisis, even though they were using it to campaign for votes on the Hill up until the point they realized the blockades were costing Canada hundreds of millions of dollars a day in cross border trade. Whoops—Didn’t see that coming!
Pierre Polievre wants us to think there is a distinction between supporting illegal protests and supporting illegal blockades, while it’s clear he and a number of his caucus buddies used the event to execute a political coup against the rightful leader of the Conservative Party, Erin O’Toole (elected by CPC members not caucus). Was it a spontaneous Brutus-type stab-in-the-back or was it planned before the Freedom Convoy left port, is a question many would like answered?
Sadly, the situation in Ottawa has exposed the inability of multiple levels of government to work together. As in, they can’t work together at all. For whatever reason, the two major “security events” Ottawa has experienced in the last decade have exposed the inability of competing bureaucracies to work together in an efficient, effective and timely manner.
17 days into the occupation of Ottawa and only now are the RCMP and Ottawa Police setting up a joint command. Why didn’t that happen on Day -5 when we first learned of the convoy? It’s not only embarrassing, it’s something that must be addressed moving forward in order to ensure the security of the Parliamentary precinct and the residents of Ottawa. Ottawa is after all, the seat of power in Canada.
Most of all though, I find it sad that so many Canadians have been unable to keep it together during Covid. Growing up and playing hockey from the time I could walk I have always considered Canada a hockey nation. As such, I believe Canadians should understand that putting “Team-First” means we all benefit in the long run. Throwing a hissy-fit because you can’t take it any more… that’s not the Canadian Way.
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