An immunocompromised Red Deerian says Canadians against COVID-19 restrictions are just being selfish and protests have nothing to do with protecting everybody’s freedom.
“What about the freedom of people who are immune compromised and have underlying conditions,” said Patrick Allen, who is worried about contracting COVID because he has several underlying medical conditions.
He said the health mandates don’t trample people’s freedom. They exist to try and keep people from dying and getting sick.
“I don’t care if they get their vaccine, but wear a mask. If you’re not going to wear a mask, go get a vaccine. Do one or the other because there are other people out there whose health you’re putting in jeopardy.”
On Monday the federal government invoked the Emergencies Act for the first time as antigovernment blockades continue.
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The Emergencies Act allows a government to invoke temporary measures, including barring people from gathering or travelling to certain locations, to protect national security, public order and public welfare.
It has never been used before. Trudeau consulted the premiers about using it in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic nearly two years ago, but has said repeatedly it was not needed because the powers to address the pandemic were already in place.
The War Measures Act was used three times, including in both the First World War and Second World War, and during the FLQ crisis in Quebec in 1970.
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On Monday, the Conservative’s motion calling for the government to have a plan to end the COVID-19 mandates was defeated.
In a video Facebook post, Red Deer-Lacombe MP Blaine Calkins said while every other jurisdiction in Canada is removing mandates, the Liberals wants to inflame Canadians even more with the Emergencies Act.
“Justin Trudeau would rather fight with his own citizenry it seems like. It’s beyond frustrating,” Calkins said on Facebook.
The premiers in Quebec, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba all said they didn’t want the act used in their provinces, but didn’t oppose it being used elsewhere, particularly Ontario.
Premier Jason Kenney said it’s not necessary for Alberta and that invoking it for his province could actually inflame tensions.
RCMP arrested 11 people at the Coutts blockade early Monday and seized 13 long guns, handguns, body armour, a machete, a large quantity of ammunition and high-capacity magazines.
Allen said governments have let the protests get out of hand.
“I don’t want to see any more protests. I don’t want to see more people flying the Canadian flag upside down. Human beings should be humane to each other. It’s sad that it doesn’t work like that.”
Allen said he always wears a mask, is getting his fourth vaccine shot in two days, and fears COVID cases will climb when provinces get rid of COVID mandates.
“Every time that (Premier Jason Kenney) has lifted restrictions they’ve increased.”
Allen said he understands that supporting the economy is important, but if people are sick in a hospital bed they’re not going to be there for the economy.
— with files from The Canadian Press
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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