Decision raises doubts about our legal system
Re: “Questionable ruling on Emergencies Act usage,” editorial, Feb. 18.
I appreciate the points made about the pusillanimous ruling by commissioner Justice Paul Rouleau. None of his conclusions do anything to instill any confidence in the opinion.
He buries the most essential facts of the whole affair: namely that Trudeau’s government considered the truckers merely a fringe element in the country and the most compelling reason for invoking the act, the security of Canada being in jeopardy, simply did not exist.
With those two facts glossed over, it is easy for the liberal press and media to trumpet their headline that the act was justified and ignore that there was considerable public sympathy for the truckers’ demonstration and absolute horror that the government resorted to such draconian measures.
The decision further increases the likelihood of most Canadian citizens to believe that there is corruption and dishonesty in our government and legal system.
I find myself becoming ever more cynical that the truth of most subjects is over-ridden by political wokeness and expediency.
The editorial is correct in observing that it was the responsibility of the federal government and the Ontario provincial administration to step in when the various police forces were ineffective.
As observers, most Canadians likely could not believe that a police force was unable to stop truckers from honking their horns and it was a young woman from Ottawa who was able to bring a civil injunction against them that ultimately stopped the noise.
Honking around Parliament Hill does not qualify as a threat to the security of the country. It is an embarrassing and ridiculous event that I hope people can remember when they come out to vote in another few years.
Editorials like this one are confirmation for me that there is another point of view, but sadly it is not reflected in the headlines nor in the responses from government. Keep reminding us that federal reviews and inquiries require more scrutiny than they are normally given.
Nancy Buan
Victoria
Focus on rule of the law, not mismanagement
Re: “Questionable ruling on Emergencies Act usage,” editorial, Feb. 18.
The conclusion that the Rouleau commission has “done a disservice” to our nation’s well-being is appalling.
The report says there should have been more effective deployment of the police before the Emergencies Act was invoked. The ongoing failure to manage the protest caused a situation where invoking the act was justified.
The editorial’s arguments don’t support its own conclusion. It also focuses on the failure of local police. The Emergencies Act is the legislation in place. Government makes and interprets laws.
“Politicians” could not invent a procedure outside the current legislation. The alternative would be invoking the act earlier, not interfering with local police procedures.
The essence of civil disobedience is “united we stand.” It is very Canadian to have civil disobedience presented as loud partying and barbecues, but nevertheless, that is what it was.
A bylaw officer should be able to issue tickets for bylaw violations. Police should not have to carry firearms or use batons when issuing parking tickets.
People have a right to peacefully protest government. The Ottawa police respected that. The protesters then disrespected the rights of others.
Disturbing the peace is a bylaw violation. Yet, it needed the armed forces to remove the tents, trucks and barbecue pit.
It is also very Canadian to have such expense and angst over street barbecues and conspiracy theories. It beats having to clean up after a lynch mob, so let’s keep talking.
We need to talk about the informed opinion of a reasonable citizen. We need to talk about responsibilities and integrity as well as rights and freedoms.
The unsupported statement that the commission has “done a disservice” is harmful. It spreads the blame for mismanaging the protest, instead of focusing on the rule of law.
Heather Phillips
Sooke
Government had no choice but to invoke the act
Re: “Questionable ruling on Emergencies Act usage,” editorial, Feb. 18.
The editorial seemed to totally forget that it was not just Ottawa involved in the so-called truckers protest last year.
The Ambassador Bridge between Windsor and Detroit was blockaded, then the Coutts crossing between Alberta and Montana, then the Emerson crossing between Manitoba and North Dakota.
They were also trying hard to block the B.C. crossings. It was escalating.
In hindsight, the whole Ottawa debacle could have been handled much better as Justice Paul Rouleau concluded.
At the time, I think the federal government had no choice but to invoke the Emergencies Act.
Mary Sutton
Victoria
Rouleau’s conclusion was the correct one
Re: “Use of Emergencies Act justified, might have been avoided: inquiry,” Feb. 18.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he regrets his use of the “fringe” term – but he shouldn’t regret it one bit.
This small group of dissidents, who transitioned their cause from a perhaps meaningful one into one on the cusp of anarchy, represent a minuscule Canadian demographic of right-wing extremism.
From my perspective no different than the gang of thugs south of us who tried to occupy the U.S. Capitol.
We have the right to voice our opposition in a public way that is respectful of the law and does not do harm to other members of our society; this ‘fringe’ minority demonstration in Ottawa wasn’t even close to that standard of mature and thoughtful behavior and the term ‘fringe’ describes them perfectly.
Justice Paul Rouleau’s conclusion that the act was invoked properly, given the trajectory of the circumstances, is right!
John Stevenson
Victoria
Lack of leadership crippled the capital
Re: “Questionable ruling on Emergencies Act usage,” editorial, Feb. 18.
The editorial is on the mark! A lack of federal leadership and co-ordination of six police agencies enabled the trucker protest to cripple Ottawa. An inconvenience for citizens.
Actually it could be a good lesson for federal, provincial and municipal policing. This was minor, compared to the October crisis in Quebec, and possibly what is next to come.
While the Liberal coalition with the NDP is responsible for lack of direction on the trucker occupation, the Conservatives did not do much to address the failure of federal leadership.
Canada seems preoccupied with political correctness. All parties. All leaders. Fuzzy stuff with no accountability.
Whether Liberal, NDP, or Conservative, our federal government has fumbled the files of Indigenous peoples and fisheries, for many decades.
This is as obvious as the trucker occupation of our capital.
So who do you vote for?
Phil Harrison
Comox
Once again, Trudeau walks away unscathed
Re: “Use of Emergencies Act justified, might have been avoided: inquiry,” Feb. 18.
Does this really surprise anyone? Once again Trudeau walks away unscathed, cleared by someone he appointed. What has this country become? What have WE let it become ?
Bob Kirkwood
Victoria
This is not a good time to be a defence freeloader
There are a lot of things that need fixing in Canada today. Health care, housing, mental health, the opioid crisis, climate change and reconciliation.
However, I don’t believe that these issues, all very important and most not restricted to Canada, give the federal government a pass on ensuring the security of our country.
The state of the world is as unstable and frightening as it has been since the Cuban Missile Crisis. We have North Korea, Iran, China and, most of all, Russia to be concerned about. Is this a time to be reading “Canada is recognized as a freeloader on the defence side”?
If Vladimir Putin comes calling on Canada’s Arctic, do we really want to have to rely on the kindness and charity of our allies to protect us?
W.K. Fletcher
Langford
Canada’s defence needs adequate budgets
I’ve been writing to various governments for more than 20 years on the “rusting out” of our nation’s capacity to defend itself.
With two reservist sons I’ve witnessed first hand the sorry state of our military kit and listened to endless stories of what other First, Second and Third World countries had supplied their troops with.
What most upsets me, is that while driving both teenage sons and their mates to various military training and celebration events, they would often express their willingness amongst themselves to give their lives for Canada, while I had an appreciation for just how little our country values and prepared to support our nation’s defence.
My father was prepared to give his life as an 18-year-old RCAF Bombardier in the Second World War and our family has always believed in public service as a calling.
While our current government “talks the talk,” they do not “walk the walk” with the voting public and with adequate budgets.
Peter Foran
Victoria
Cyclists, take responsibility for your own safety
Re: “A cyclist’s guide to staying alive out there,” John Ducker, Feb. 17.
The column missed a few things.
My wife and I have cycle toured all of B.C., much of Europe and into Turkey over the past 30 years. We have never had an accident involving a vehicle.
Our first premise when on the road is “you are responsible for your own safety.”
Another point is to always use arm signals to inform other road users of your intentions.
Also, be aware of “convergence” where the roads are narrow and two vehicles approach each other precisely at the point you are riding. We get off the road and let them pass.
Another thing we have noted in the past few years is the confusion of ill-timed courtesy.
That is when a vehicle stops on a busy street and waves the cyclist to cross, even while vehicles are driving past in the other lane. Don’t cross. You are responsible for your own safety.
Greg Langham
Victoria
No negotiations with someone we cannot trust
Re: “If not negotiations, what is the solution?” letter, Feb. 15.
One rather obvious reason we should not rely on negotiations with the Putin regime to end the war in Ukraine is that he is not trustworthy.
Indeed, previous negotiations with Russia resulted in promises to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and land borders. The 1994 Budapest agreement, which saw Ukraine surrender their nuclear weapons to Russia, stated that Russia would “respect the independence and sovereignty and the existing borders of Ukraine” and that “none of their weapons will ever be used against Ukraine except in self-defence or otherwise in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.”
Just 20 years later, Putin used military force to seize parts of Ukraine in blatant violation of this agreement. The international community’s tepid response has only further emboldened this bully.
Patrick Webb
Saanich
We need to think about demand for electricity
Here we go again, another move to ban natural gas service to new buildings. This push is as poorly thought out as the massive push for all-electric cars by a given year.
Nowhere have I seen a strategy, either provincially or federally, that addresses the huge demand that will be created by these two areas of electricity consumption.
Questions such as: is the electricity grid capable of supporting either or both of these initiatives, is there enough generating capacity to provide green electricity to meet the demands into the future and if not would the alternative sources of electricity pollute as much as the petroleum and natural gas it replaces?
If the grid needs to be upgraded or the generating capacity expanded, what would that cost in dollars and construction pollution. Remember the protests around the Site C dam construction? Imagine another half dozen dams, wouldn’t that be great?
What happens when climate change significantly reduces rainfall amounts well below the norm, as we have seen in the past few years, and this impacts hydroelectric generating capacity?
Looks the Wild West and not a sheriff to be found.
Mike Wilkinson
Duncan
“Hope” for those abandoned by health-care system
I recently watched one of my favourites on the Knowledge Network: Hope for Wildlife.
I was amazed at the speed, efficiency and care with which the rescued seals and eagles were treated.
My hope is that Hope for Wildlife will open a clinic for those of us abandoned by our decaying health care system.
Mel Johnston
Victoria
Absurd differences in airplane security
I returned recently from a trip to Europe and was intrigued by some of the security measures at the various airports I passed through. In Prague, I was asked, aggressively, by an agent whether I was carrying any shampoo in my hand baggage; in Zurich, I was able to buy a Swiss army knife and carry it on my flights to Toronto and Victoria.
Now, I suppose there is a marginal possibility that I could threaten my fellow passengers with a hair-wash, but I suspect that they would be rather more alarmed if they knew that I was in possession of an army knife with 16 different functions.
Is it not incongruous that passengers, having passed through security at their point of departure, should be able to buy items at subsequent airports that would have been confiscated earlier? Even Monty Python didn’t dream this one up.
I’m bothered by the lack of consistency here: either we determine that there is a security risk at airports and apply the regulations universally, or we pass off the risks as low and allow passengers to carry shampoo and knives onto aircraft.
The current patchwork is absurd and potentially dangerous.
Rob Cameron
Victoria
Government needs spending priorities
The City of Victoria and the province have in my opinion very misplaced priorities in their budgeting processes. Once again the Crystal Pool is closed while the city and province think of other things that they might spend the money on that should be spent on the pool facilities.
When will the people who pay all of the taxes that are going to vote getting and things that the responsible people spend on attention getting projects.
The province alone gave to the Indigenous out of casino funds and forestry funds over $160 million because they didn’t make their normal profits during the epidemic.
The city decided to start a special fund for the Indigenous out of city taxes. All of this while the people that pay the taxes go wanting.
It has become a contest to see how fast money can be spent on the overdose crisis while avoiding the hard question of what is the root cause of the use of the drugs in the first place.
The millions that are spent on running ambulances to all of the overdoses while avoiding the treatment that should be given to the recipients of the care cannot continue.
Lawrence Schmid
Victoria
More money wasted by Trudeau’s government
Re: “Job creation a priority as Liberal caucus wraps,” Jan. 29.
Once again we are witness to another act of misspent tax dollars by the Trudeau Liberals with their recent caucus retreat held in a Hamilton, Ont., hotel.
The combined costs associated with accommodation, transportation and food alone over the three-day period no doubt would be enough to fund the training/hiring of a number of much needed medical care professionals, not to mention a host of other critical programs that benefit Canadians.
And as for job creation, one only has to look at the proliferation of “Help Wanted” signs in shop windows, billboards, etc., to appreciate that businesses are begging to employ people, and yet Trudeau wants to create more jobs and bring in 1.5 million immigrants this year? Such a creative mind!
What makes Trudeau’s caucus retreat in Hamilton that much more concerning as well as insulting to taxpayers is that there are numerous conference facilities available in Ottawa, many of which are contained in government buildings that would have served the purpose.
But no, that takes the spotlight away from the prime minister and his entourage in terms of garnering the kind of publicity and photo ops he seemingly craves.
Clearly the Liberal government is determined to continue down the path of fiscal mismanagement, not only as reflected by the obscene cost of the Hamilton “caucus picnic,” but Trudeau’s penchant for throwing taxpayers’ money at everything that moves as evidenced by the national debt, which is now in excess of a trillion dollars.
The waste has to stop and Canadians hopefully will have the opportunity to exercise that option in the next election — one that occurs sooner than later.
Clive King
North Saanich
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