#ottawaoccupation

Ottawa Protests, Canadian Democracy, & Foreign Interference

Russia's state-controlled media network RT interviewed me, about the illegal occupation of Ottawa and blockades of Canada’s international borders.

Reasonable people can disagree about the Emergencies Act.  But no one can deny that Vladimir Putin is attacking it to discredit, and not to defend, our democracy.

It's a frigid -14 C up here in Ottawa this weekend. That doesn't seem to put a damper on the spirits of the "Freedom Convoy" truckers. They're still causing trouble downtown and elsewhere in the country.

It gives me no pleasure to write this essay. I never want my social media accounts to become political because I believe political and religious views are personal matters, but this "demonstration" is hurting a lot of folks that live near the core where they're "protesting". I have a voice, however meagre, and I want it to be heard.

The so-called "Freedom Convoy" purports to be a protest against the violation of truckers rights and Canadians' rights at large. They claim to oppose "tyrannical" and "unconstitutional" vaccine mandates. They claim to be fighting for the "freedom" of all Canadians. To call this a struggle against tyranny is a slap in the face of every refugee and immigrant in this country who has experienced real tyranny.

Let me be clear: freedom is not an endangered species in this country.

Given the week's events, I cannot say the same for common sense, decency, and respectful opposition. Freedom is in abundance in Canada. You are free to criticize the government. The "Freedom Convoy", it's organizers and supporters, were free to roll into Ottawa and any other Canadian city, and make their voices heard, so long as their protest was lawful and did not intimidate or harm the public. That's not what's happening here.

We have all suffered in this pandemic. Things are not normal and they may not return to normal for quite some time yet, but the vast majority of Canadians have done the sensible thing and gotten vaccinated. They wear masks. They support local restaurants and small businesses any way they can in accordance with public safety measures, but some of the population have decided that these measures don't pertain to them.

Enter the "freedom fighters."

These individuals are a small minority of truckers who refuse to get vaccinated and are opposed to the vaccine mandate imposed by the Canadian and U.S. governments on cross-border shipping. Vaccinated drivers (90% of the total drivers in Canada) are free to cross the border with the appropriate documentation. It's another health and safety measure among the dozens of measures they must already comply with to maintain their licenses. The obstinate few have decided to exercise their freedom to not get vaccinated, as is their right, but they refuse to accept that their freedom to oppose the rest of society comes with a consequence: limitations on their mobility and limitations on their employment.

But the movement has evolved beyond a group of disgruntled truckers who sought to criticize the government. It is no longer about the human rights of truckers. It isn't even about the fighting for the rights of "all Canadians" as they claim. The movement has become political.

I say that again for emphasis: the "Freedom Convoy" is political. Make no mistake. It has received backing from individuals linked to the Maverick Party and far-right groups, even some white supremacist groups. For reference, here's an article about Tamara Lich, one of the organizers of the occupation. I don't doubt Ms. Lich cares more about making some political clout than she does about trucker's rights.

Elected Conservative MPs like Pierre Poilievre have thrown their support behind the protest because they see an opportunity to expand their base. They've done so without understanding the movement's goals and objectives. No one really does except those at the heart of it. The truckers, many with legitimate fears and grievances, don't realize that they are pawns in a game they haven't yet fathomed.

A GoFundMe.com page had been setup that garnered nearly $10M. Who is behind all that money? What is it's ultimate aim? What would it have funded had the site not finally agreed to freeze the funds after they were convinced by authorities that the funds for the "freedom fighters" were not being used for peaceful purposes or to back hate.

"But we're peaceful," they say.

They want us to believe that. Desperately. They have their own propaganda machine that works 24/7 fogging the Twitter-verse and YouTube feeds with images and videos of dancing in the streets and brotherly love, but there's always two sides to the story. "We're a peaceful movement and we only want freedom for you and your children," they say all while citizens feel imprisoned in their homes, afraid to go outside to buy groceries.

"We're peaceful," the demonstrators say. A coworker of mine was harassed on her way home for exercising her freedom to wear a mask.

"We're peaceful."

I dare say the employees and community members at The Shepherds of Good Hope homeless shelter who were harassed and pressured for free food feel much at peace.

I dare say the citizens who live downtown and who have had to put up with near constant blaring horns all day and night feel much at peace.

I dare say the business owners and employees who have been harassed by "freedom fighters" for simply upholding public health mandates for their own safety and the safety of others feel much at peace.

I dare say the woman who was just trying to get to work who was propositioned with oral sex for pay by one the "freedom fighters" feels much at peace.

This is an occupation, maybe not an armed occupation, but certainly a hostile occupation. They claim that they'll stay until all Canadians are free. We are already free. The "freedom fighters" complain they feel like second-class citizens but the truth of the matter is that they have exercised their freedom of choice and are unwilling to accept the consequences. They're unwilling to accept their choice runs counter to the public good that the rest of the country accepts and supports. Subtlety and irony are birds some people just can't capture.