Commentary
Canadians learned during the last years that they are completely and totally at the mercy of government officials and bureaucrats, no matter how ignorant or authoritarian they might be. These government figures demanded obedience of Canadians, or else. The “or else” was wide ranging, from being locked down at home or in a hotel, to not being allowed to travel, to being forbidden to partake in public restaurants, bars, and gyms, among other venues, to being fired from your job, and to being arrested and thrown in jail.
The disobedient were portrayed as anti-social, a threat to the public, and criminal. Disobedience in the form of criticism of government mandatory measures was deemed “misinformation” or “conspiracy theory,” and an offense to be silenced by the government-bought media. Businesses that didn’t conform to the irrational, arbitrary, and ever-changing COVID restrictions were fined and shut down. Worship in congregation was forbidden, no matter what anti-COVID measures were put in place, and religious leaders continuing religious services were arrested and jailed. Demonstrations against abusive rules were broken up by armed police, and participants’ property was confiscated and their businesses closed down by canceling licenses. Both demonstrators and financial contributors had their bank accounts frozen. School children, the people least susceptible to COVID-19, were forced to wear useless and unsanitary face masks. University students were, and still are, required to receive vaccines and wear masks, even now, or else be forbidden to enter campus to continue their education….