The number of people who continue defending this absolutely massive overreach is shocking. The language of the order is so incredibly broad it captures anyone who "directly or indirectly" supports a protest for any amount whatsoever. Not just for large sums. /1
They could have limited the order to, say, accounts where intelligence information was supplied by the RCMP or CSIS. They could have set a dollar figure threshold. They could have reasonably narrowed it *any number of other ways*.
They did not. /2
They did not. /2
It doesn't matter that accounts are being unfrozen now. The damage is already done. Lots of people who might support countless causes other than the convoy but which are in some way *critical of the government* will now wonder: gee, do I want to risk having my account frozen? /3
The ultimate effect of this draconian order is to reduce people's willingness to support ANY organization that voices ANY criticisms of govt. Maybe you think that's a bonus if you happen to like the current govt. Will you like it when someday the govt changes to one you don't? /4
Ask yourself: if someday Canada had a govt you really disliked, and they invoked an order of this kind to punish one specific/extreme group, would you maybe think twice about donating to *any* group critical of that govt? If so, THAT'S A PROBLEM /5
The people who think the damage resulting from
the invocation of this Act and its accompanying orders will be limited to the duration they are in force are sorely mistaken. It won't be. /6
the invocation of this Act and its accompanying orders will be limited to the duration they are in force are sorely mistaken. It won't be. /6
And just as we saw the erosion of the rule of law for previous protests come back to bite us with the convoy, there will be future situations where the cause/actors change - but those now cheering on the use of draconian tools will instead find themselves as the targets. /7
Because of their behavior during this episode, they have armed their tormentors with arguments to justify overreach. They will see principled objections swatted away and met with shrugs of "hypocrite!" They have shown them how to get away with it. /8
Contrary to some, I don't actually believe this was the govt's *intent*. But it is still the effect. And their complete unwillingness to concede they bungled the financial element in particular - the order is still in effect! - is a gift to extremists calling them tyrants /9
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