Thread by @DonaldWelsh16

The truth is always the first causality of war, an axiom that equally applies to the C19 response. Without the common bond forged by trust, the enactment of public policy becomes difficult without the application of force. 1/

Public health has long ago burnt trust to the ground. Blundering and blind, Canada's C19 response has been a cavalcade of poor decisions, long on hardship and short on results. Collateral damage has spread to all segments of our society.

2/

The collapse of trust is observable in Canada's ongoing federal election. Canada's left of center tradition, especially under 50, has shifted decidedly rightward to upstart parties like the PPC. Suddenly, working age Canadians find freedom and smaller govt key values. 3/

While such shifts are predictable in turbulent times, they suggest that Canadians prize individual rights. This theme is discussed in this thoughtful clip by Brian Peckford, the last living founder of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

4/

rumble.com/vm4pbt-the-5th…

What is interesting (and inspiring) is Mr. Peckford's suggestion of amending the Charter to ensure that individual rights/freedom can never again be eroded by a wayward govermental agency. This idea is powerful and one likely with broad base support. 5/

One can appreciate that over the past 18 months, many have fretted over the creeping authoritarian streak in Canadian politics. These concerns are legitimate, but maybe current events and the erosion of trust are pushing Canadians to the opposing pole of decentralization.

6/

Consider for a moment, not just the emergence of upstart parties or retired charter champions but how duties traditionally ceded to gov't are being reconceptualized. New decentalized models of health care delivery and education have entered the public sphere of debate.

7/

Here is one example, the surge of interest in home schooling as the public system is rendered dysfunctional by Canada's incoherent C19 response. A once collective activity moving to a new grass roots delivery model.

8/

thestar.com/news/canada/20…

So public health's erosion of trust is having unforseen consequences. These events are likely to reshape Canadians' relationship with gov't and where power ultimately lies. The individual could re-emerge and be re-empowered as a result of this bureaucratic mess.

End.