O Canada

 

I’ve always had a fondness for Canada. Not the actual thing, but the idea of Canada I have in my head. Unspoiled forests, resolute Mounties, briny fishermen in hardscrabble towns where traditions go bedrock-deep,  magnificent architecture. It’s like a parallel version of the US:  select the top tier of the US states, do a copy-drag, reproduce it, and run a simulation to see how the cloned version would do if you moved the French sliders to the maximum settings,  and tweaked the national character settings vis-a-vis their powerful neighbor so they were always trying to balance pride and envy, contempt and admiration, resentment and gratitude. 

In the Canada of my old imagination, it has cosmopolitan cities with dreadful 70s cement architecture built by men with egregious sideburns, and I still like it. They built a whole nation up there, another iteration of Western Civ. Australia without the lethal fauna and convict history. It’s fun to think about a nation that fused the US and Canada, how it might have shaped our own culture. 

Left-wing modern view: We should be more like Canada because it’s awesome and mellow and welcoming and healthcare is free!

Well:

Ontario’s government walked back some of its new policing powers one day after they were announced, now only allowing police to stop vehicles or people if they are suspected of participating in an organized public event or social gathering.

That’s the walked-back version. 

Doug Ford’s government initially said on Friday that police could stop people at random and ask why they are not at home and where they live as part of a strengthened stay-at-home order to help stem a rising number of COVID-19 cases.

There is something absolutely rotten in a leadership class that believes this is acceptable. The good news is that the constabulary would have none of it:

The change came after several police services across Ontario took to social media on Friday saying they won’t comply with the new powers to stop people and question their reason for leaving home.

That qualifies as good news these days. You are free to move about, citizen. 

Unless we think you are participating in a social gathering.

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  1. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

    Cosmik Phred (View Comment):
    Canada:  The Polite Fascists.

    This is the greatest YouTube video ever, from one of the greatest Canadians that has ever lived. lol I cannot possibly exaggerate how much I like this. Ladies and gentlemen, the great Ezra Levant. lol

     

     

     

    • #31
  2. Charlotte Member
    Charlotte
    @Charlotte

    RufusRJones (View Comment):

    Cosmik Phred (View Comment):
    Canada: The Polite Fascists.

    This is the greatest YouTube video ever, from one of the greatest Canadians that has ever lived. lol I cannot possibly exaggerate how much I like this. Ladies and gentlemen, the great Ezra Levant. lol

     

    Yay! Go get ’em, Ezra!!

    • #32
  3. Miffed White Male Member
    Miffed White Male
    @MiffedWhiteMale

    Rules for transiting Canada to Alaska:  http://dot.alaska.gov/covid19info/canadian-border.shtml

    (Numbering is off because this is just a part of it).

    1. Canada still has the travel restrictions it put in place in March 2020, which include a mandatory quarantine of 14-days.
      1. However, you may not be required to stop and quarantine if you are driving straight through.
      2. But you may need to quarantine while traveling if:
        1. You are asked to limit stops for essential reasons only, such as using a rest room.
        2. You are asked to get food via drive-through.
        3. You are required to bring enough food to make the entire drive without entering a grocery store.
        4. You are encouraged to sleep in your vehicle.
          1. All provincial campgrounds in British Canada and Alberta are closed.
          2. If you must stay in a hotel, you must isolate yourself in your room and limit interactions with all other people.
        5. You are encouraged to pay for gasoline/diesel at the fuel pump.
        6. You are asked to avoid other people in general.
    2. Canada has stiff penalties for violating its COVID-related restrictions:
      1. Penalties start at a $1,000 fine for violation
      2. Additional fines of $1,000 for repeated noncompliance, adding up to several thousands of dollars
      3. If Canadian authorities have reason to believe you willfully or recklessly violate restrictions, you could be fined up to $1 million, arrested and imprisoned up to 3 years.  In general, American travel in other legal jurisdictions should be taken very seriously as you are subject to their laws.
    3. When you stop at a checkpoint near the Yukon Territory border:
      1. You must give an enforcement officer a signed declaration with your contact information and travel plan.
      2. The officer will give you information on routes you are approved to drive and establishments you are allowed to enter within Yukon Territory.
      3. You will likely be allowed to stay in a hotel in Yukon Territory, but you are asked to not enter communities, including downtown Whitehorse.
    1. You will have only 24 hours to drive through Yukon Territory, about 575 miles on the Al-Can Highway. 24 hours is enough time to make the drive, but does not allow for sightseeing, side trips or other activities.
    • #33
  4. ToryWarWriter Coolidge
    ToryWarWriter
    @ToryWarWriter

    Cosmik Phred (View Comment):

    Canada: The Polite Fascists.

    Thank you.  Now can you please enter the concentration camp?  Its for your own good.

    • #34
  5. OccupantCDN Coolidge
    OccupantCDN
    @OccupantCDN

    Dave Rubin:

    His commentary on Ontario’s policies begin at 20 minute mark.

    • #35
  6. ToryWarWriter Coolidge
    ToryWarWriter
    @ToryWarWriter

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    Rules for transiting Canada to Alaska: http://dot.alaska.gov/covid19info/canadian-border.shtml

    (Numbering is off because this is just a part of it).

    1. Canada still has the travel restrictions it put in place in March 2020, which include a mandatory quarantine of 14-days.
      1. However, you may not be required to stop and quarantine if you are driving straight through.
      2. But you may need to quarantine while traveling if:
        1. You are asked to limit stops for essential reasons only, such as using a rest room.
        2. You are asked to get food via drive-through.
        3. You are required to bring enough food to make the entire drive without entering a grocery store.
        4. You are encouraged to sleep in your vehicle.
          1. All provincial campgrounds in British Canada and Alberta are closed.
          2. If you must stay in a hotel, you must isolate yourself in your room and limit interactions with all other people.
        5. You are encouraged to pay for gasoline/diesel at the fuel pump.
        6. You are asked to avoid other people in general.
    2. Canada has stiff penalties for violating its COVID-related restrictions:
      1. Penalties start at a $1,000 fine for violation
      2. Additional fines of $1,000 for repeated noncompliance, adding up to several thousands of dollars
      3. If Canadian authorities have reason to believe you willfully or recklessly violate restrictions, you could be fined up to $1 million, arrested and imprisoned up to 3 years. In general, American travel in other legal jurisdictions should be taken very seriously as you are subject to their laws.
    3. When you stop at a checkpoint near the Yukon Territory border:
      1. You must give an enforcement officer a signed declaration with your contact information and travel plan.
      2. The officer will give you information on routes you are approved to drive and establishments you are allowed to enter within Yukon Territory.
      3. You will likely be allowed to stay in a hotel in Yukon Territory, but you are asked to not enter communities, including downtown Whitehorse.
    1. You will have only 24 hours to drive through Yukon Territory, about 575 miles on the Al-Can Highway. 24 hours is enough time to make the drive, but does not allow for sightseeing, side trips or other activities.

    Its interesting to note, that not a single one of those fines, has ever gone to court, and every time they do, they either dismiss or get a continuance.  One noted protestor has had his case postponed 4 times at last count.

    • #36
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