Letters, Feb. 20: ‘This whole thing is on Justin Trudeau”https://calgarysun.com/” Calgary Sun

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BLAME TRUDEAU
Our petulant prime minister has refused to hear the Freedom Convoy’s concerns and as a result has himself incited a public protest into a national revolt leading to the blockade of international ports of entry. And in an absurd argument over jurisdiction, Justin Trudeau has refused to protect the federally owned and legislated ports of entry responsible for our Canadian economy. Putting that responsibility on struggling provinces with limited resources has led to some of the most oppressive Third World political tactics in Canadian history. It is now a matter of public record that if you challenge a Canadian government, they can ignore you and subject you to: $100,000 fines, imprisonment, confiscation of property, revocation of personal and professional accreditations, criminal charges restricting your right to work or travel, an investigation of your family and the potential removal of your children. The sad reality is, had Trudeau met with the convoy on arrival, it’s quite possible none of this would have ever happened. Canada is in desperate need of honest, ethical leadership — the current Liberal government is in desperate need of a leadership review.
DOUG HYSLIP
(He’s let this fester.)

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ON TRUDEAU’S SIDE?
Soooo, who is now the most hated man in Canada? Hint, his daddy put a similar law in place back in early ’80s when he was losing control due to his communist leanings. Like father, like son. J.T. is so insecure he is chasing blue collars in his sleep! He is on the world stage showing all his insecurities cause the world ‘Reset Cub’ are breathing down his neck. A peaceful protest, which he did try to throw obstacles into, threw him off totally. Imagine all the love the protesters had that he had to try to destroy to please his masters. And the Sun has been strangely quite, tending to lean a little left I dare say, all while toeing the line for his highness? You say no? C’mon man, we can see through your glass and mirrors. How much of the $660 million Trudeau bragged about giving to the media did you guys get? Can hardly wait for the smart ass comment you’ll make to try to put me in my place! Or how much you edit this email.
RICK PATMORE
(Feel better?)

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SEEMS FAMILIAR
Some will say I’m making a mountain of a molehill because that was China. Anyway, I recall that in June of 1990, the entire Western world (certainly Canadians) was in awe of the student democracy protest and hunger strike underway in Beijing. Deng Xiao Ping said “No” to calls for dialogue. Prime Minister Li Peng then took firm action on June 4, bringing in a tough and obedient sector of the People’s Liberation Army with tanks and assault weapons and they opened fire that ended the protest. Many died, numerous went to jail, hundreds lost their rights to further education and employment and significant numbers of student leaders were secreted out of China (several fleeing to Canada) to avoid more drastic recriminations. But that was authoritarian, one-party communist China. Fast forward to 2022, and the eyes of the Chinese authorities are probably smirking as they focus on Ottawa, Canada, and Coutts, Alberta. Again there is a democracy/civil liberties protest underway and the authorities are poised to bring in the heavy hand, levy fines, throw folks into prison and do whatever else it takes to get the strawberries, orange juice, avocados and automotive parts flowing across the border. Justin Trudeau, Doug Ford, Justin Kenney say “No” to dialogue. But this is democratic Canada where government is for the people, of the people and by the people.
RICHARD WHITE
(Testing times.)

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VOTE FOR YOUR PEOPLE
So this new mayor of Calgary, whose only good move to date has been to fire her chief of staff who was accused of being a bully, now thinks she can over rule the true lawmakers of Alberta. We can only hope that the 10 councilors who have opposed the mayors’ bad ideas in the past, will continue to show common sense and send her that strong message that they will not be pressured into following her unpopular agenda items. Remember councillors, you represent those who elected you, not the mayor. You have to remember that in this political arena, there’s no ‘toeing the party line’ nonsense. I for one will follow the mask rules set forward by the provincial health experts and not those of a stubborn, uninformed, unqualified mayor who’s couldn’t care less what Calgarians want. You know, after every bad decision or obtuse public statement she makes, I keep asking myself, ‘who and what does this person think she is?’
WAYNE MUNSON
(A clumsy start, for sure, but they backed off the mask mandate.)

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IN A TOUGH PLACE
In regard to the ongoing protests, I really feel for the police. Some media and politicians are criticizing the police for not doing their job by not reacting harsh or swift enough to eliminate the protesters. Yet, not so many months ago, many of these same media personnel and politicians pressured the police to back off protesters, and in some cases, championed a movement to defund the cops. Talk about a mixed message. What happened to just enforce the law regardless, instead of selective enforcement due to special interests? Being pressured to selectively enforce laws based on media and political pressure must cause a lot of undue stress and uncertainty by those in law enforcement. This type of mixed messaging by some media and politicians doesn’t do much to encourage anyone to consider a law enforcement career.
JOE JOHNS
(Solid observations. Our police are damned if they do, damned if they don’t.)

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SEEN THIS BEFORE
I find the situation in Ukraine not unlike what Poland and other countries feared due to Nazi Germany’s aggression prior to the Second World War. The world ignored calls for help and Germany had little trouble invading several countries. The same is happening in Ukraine. Russia will not fail in their takeover of Ukraine. As far as I have read, not one country will be sending troops to help. Germany sent helmets, Canada sent military teachers and protective body gear, others sent weapons. This will not stop Russia and neither will sanctions. Putin has said on many occasions ‘ I don’t give a s–t about sanctions’ and he doesn’t. If the world’s powers collectively sent 100,000 troops to Ukraine, then Putin would back off. Joe Biden is worried about the upcoming mid-term elections, Justin Trudeau is unleashing our soldiers on Canadians who oppose his mandates, so our guys won’t be doing a thing to help. Trudeau does not like having our soldiers put in harms way. I sometimes wonder why we even have an armed forces. Anyway, the world has abandoned Ukraine. Their people will not forget this and neither will Putin.
WAYNE MUNSON
(Putin is not Hitler and this isn’t the Second World War. Let’s hope cooler heads prevail.)

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RIGHT ON, RICK
I must disagree with Jeanne Wright’s criticism of Rick Bell’s questioning of Premier Jason Kenney in her Feb. 13 letter. Bell was doing his job as a journalist at the Feb. 8 press conference by seeking out the real story behind the political spin. I watched the press conference in its entirety and I believe Kenney was careful to prolong his responses so that there was no time left for journalists to ask questions of Dr. Deena Hinshaw or Minister Jason Copping. Thank goodness Bell had the courage to hold Kenney to account. The ICU numbers are not trending down. On Feb. 3, there were 118 ICU admissions due to COVID; on Feb. 8, there were 135, according to the U of C Cumming School of Medicine. I fear the metric upon that Kenney is basing his health policies on is — how many of my supporters, both unvaccinated and vaccinated, can I bus into that April 9 leadership review?
MARILYNN RUSSELL
(Everything this premier does is politically motivated.)

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HURTING CANADA
After watching more updates on the occupations this morning, it makes me so angry seeing our once great country be humiliated and become an untrustworthy trading partner. I understand the truckers’ concerns, they made their point and left the scene peacefully and left the ones behind who only want to protest for the sake of protesting and wreaking havoc. I saw an interview with one of these mental giants, who said he lost his job because of the PM’s COVID policies. Well, sir, do you not realize with you and your cronies blocking international trade across the U.S. border, the odds of you getting a job anytime soon are getting slimmer by the day. Canada will be seen around the world as a trading partner who can’t be trusted to keep their own house in order. I wouldn’t be surprised if the big automakers in the U.S., who succumbed to union pressure to keep plants open in Canada during the last set of contract negotiations, are already putting together an exit strategy from Canada, since they can no longer trust us to keep their operations running smoothly. And when I see children, who should be in school with their classmates enjoying their childhood, living out of a truck for three weeks, it’s disgraceful. I realize there’s lots of blame to go around here, but these occupations need to end ASAP.
CHRIS FADER
(A lot of the people will pay a significant price for their actions.)

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THE SLOW BOIL
If you put a frog in a pot of water and slowly turn up the heat, the frog will boil to death before realizing what’s happening to it. Well Canada, we’re the frog and the federal government, the cabal that supposedly works for us, has their mitts on the heat control. The pot is the economy, and the water is the carbon tax. It started out in 2019 at $10 a ton. They’ve increased it slowly, $10 a year, every year, and now in 2022 it’s at $40 a ton. Next year, $50 a ton and then it begins to get really warm. Starting in 2024 it goes up by $15 a ton annually until 2030 where it winds up at, wait for it, $170 a ton. By then, it will be to late. We will be cooked. Have you ever heard of any government, anywhere, at any time, getting rid of a tax? Even the federal income tax was supposedly a temporary measure to help with the Second World War effort. If you think the cost of living is high now, just you wait. It’s no coincidence that the price of everything jumps up at the end of January every year. Just look at the price of gas, for instance. That’s when the government gives the old carbon tax heat knob another twist. They figure everyone will forget about this year’s high prices and complain about next year’s and on and on it goes. Oh sure, they love to blame higher prices on everything from COVID to supply chain issues, but the real problem is a bunch of trust fund brats addicted to taxes. They think they know best and, by their own admission, believe the budget will take care of itself. Newsflash, it won’t. Inflation is at an all time high because of the Liberal tax and spend ideology. Maybe Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should stop running of to the cottage so often and start paying attention to monetary issues even though he believes that they are somehow below him.
JOHN HANCOCK
(The next convoy to Ottawa will be soccer moms in mini-vans and angry dads who just can’t get ahead.)

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BONUS LETTERS — ONLINE ONLY

RIDICULOUS BILL
We live in a middle-class Calgary neighbourhood with a 2,500 sq./ft. house. Our Enmax bill for gas, electricity and water delivery etc. was $1,300 this billing. I understand the weather was unusually cold, but I wonder where this is going when the energy policies of this country are being aligned for the green new future ‘Build Back Better’ world? This is Canada in the winter. What good will it be to save our environment if we all freeze in the dark trying to do it? April 1 brings us another carbon tax increase. Combine this with runaway inflation personal, property and hidden taxes everywhere I’m thinking another convoy is in order. At this rate what’s my bill going to be in February 2025? How will our children be able to afford these rapidly increasing prices in the future?
ROGER WILLIAMS
(It’s disgusting for an energy rich country and alone should cost every politician their job. People can’t maintain that kind of cost.)

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PAYBACK TIME
Liberal MPs know better than anyone how vindictive Justin Trudeau can be. Now the public will find out. To Trudeau’s ongoing obsession of “financially squeeze the unvaccinated until they comply”, he is now adding a vindictive “witch hunt” and will use the Liberal government’s resources to find and mete out retaliatory punishment to everyone who may have donated a dollar to the convoy protest, which dared to call into question his vaccine edicts. Hell hath no fury like a Trudeau scorned. The Liberals are also setting their hair on fire, that some Americans donated dollars to the Canadian protest, calling it interference in Canadian affairs. Of course, they said nothing when American dollars were being used in causes to undercut the Conservatives in the 2015 federal election that saw Trudeau elected, to fund protests against pipelines and the Alberta oil/gas industry, and Canadian “Defund the Police” demonstrations. Maybe they can do forensic audits of donations to these causes, too. The Liberals also had no problem of Canadians donating to American BLM protests that saw many inner-city cores looted and burned in the States in an attempt to overthrow the police. Contrast that to Ottawa: three weeks in, not one store looted, not one business burned down and nobody murdered. But Trudeau thinks Armageddon is on our doorstep!
TONY BORBELY
(He is the common denominator in these protests.)

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IT’S ALL ON J.T.
Those who want to pat Justin Trudeau on the back for finally invoking the Emergencies Act to try and force the end of the Freedom Convoy, need to step back and realize that the Trudeau government spawned the Freedom Convoy with their poorly considered decision to eliminate the “essential service exemption” for truckers, requiring them to be fully vaccinated or face testing/quarantining. Millions of Canadians from all age groups/genre/location/walks of life, felt this government action was unwarranted, and were vocal in their opposition, and their support for the truckers. The government refused to reconsider their action, so the truckers decided to exercise their right to protest. The protest could have ended almost as soon as it reached Ottawa if Justin Trudeau had met with the group, listened to their concerns, promised to reinstate the exemption immediately, and promised to pressure the U.S. to rescind their new rules as well. He could have let them know that most of the other COVID restrictions were provincial, not federal, but he would work with the premiers to lift restrictions as soon as possible. He could then end with a heartfelt thank you for these fine citizens who went to so much trouble and expense to correct a mistake that the government regrets, and finish with a rousing chorus of O Canada and a few hugs. Difficult? Not really! The sort of thing that Ralph Klein would have done and made it seem sincere. However, of course, Justin went into hiding, took every opportunity to vilify the truckers and their 15 million or so supporters, refused to reinstate the truckers “exemption”, and then trotted out the Emergencies Act so that the “authorities” could rout the few peaceful protesters. I can only hope we never have a real emergency.
JOHN H. MacLEAN
(You make it all sound so simple but yes, it’s been horribly handled.)

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KEEP IT LOGICAL
I just finished reading a story suggesting that “social conservatives” cannot endorse Pierre Poilievre as leader of their party because he may be “pro-abortion”. Some guy by the name of Jack Fonseca was quoted as saying as much in this story. This brings me to two points. The first is actually elegant in it’s simplicity, namely, if you cannot separate church from state, please don’t run for office. I want to know you will govern using logic. Second and equally elegant, you don’t have any right at all to tell someone what they can or cannot do with their uterus, particularly if you don’t have one, you sanctimonious, pompous ass. Mr. Poilievre strikes me as a skilled orator, articulate, and smart. I’ve watched as he put the current denizen infesting the PMO on a spit and slow roast him. He is always spot on in his logic and his facts. If I were a card carrying Conservative, I’d be courting this man to run with all my persuasive ability. He could very well be the only one who can save that party, and quite possibly what is left of this fractured country.
BILL FENTON
(He appears to be a popular choice with many.)

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TIME FOR CALM
On the same front page: “Guns Seized in Coutts” and “Not Justified” plus the ‘thin grounds’ article by a biased source. Opposite signals. Small cells can hide behind well-meaning, frustrated people and cause havoc. Just look at the U.S. and Jan 6 riot. I’d say it’s past time for leadership to calm the situation. For one, being able to conscript semi tow trucks protects those business owners from backlash later. The so-called truckers keep saying BLM got away with more. Actually, in economic terms roughly 8,000 ‘truckers’ have done about $300 million a day’s worth of damage compared to $15 million BLM protesters doing roughly the same over a longer period. And getting prosecuted for it, by the way. Ottawans are counter protesting, so I’m thinking protesters have made their point and they aren’t speaking for all of us. The Emergencies Act is so limited with checks and balances that it certainly isn’t overreach. At least the elder Trudeau was willing to stand up to his base. What I’m seeing from my Conservative representatives at all levels is how do we blame Trudeau? They need to get their base to see reason. They’ve been heard. Democracies don’t let you squat until you get your way. And one demand is dissolve Parliament and sack Trudeau. We have elections for that. It’s always embarrassing when your side is being unreasonable and you have to look inward.
DEB GARRIES
(The focus of the anger is Justin Trudeau.)

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TOO MUCH DIVISION
Recently while at one of the big box hardware stores, I heard an announcement over the public address system saying that they are proud to announce that they were now allowing employees to put their chosen pronouns on their name badge to encourage inclusion and safety for all. My first thought was why would I care what you identify as other than a helpful employee of that business? It’s none of my business. Just show me where the screws are and I’ll say thanks. Then I realized at one time we identified as “Canadians” all under one flag. We didn’t for the most part care about your gender, race, religion or politics until people started wearing their differences as a badge ahead of just being a Canadian. I find inclusive to be a strange word given you want to be identified different. Aren’t we all just people? It’s consistent with the social media trend of people drawing attention to themselves in a desperate need for acceptance, self validation and purpose in life. The best way of achieving this is being a pleasant, functioning and empathetic person regardless of the above categories. I fear this trend only separates us more and may in fact, bring attention of the wrong kind. Be careful what you ask for. In a time of division and unprecedented anger can we all please unite under our flag as one and at worst just agree to disagree. Remember that one?
ROGER WILLIAMS
(Can’t we just all get along?)

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NOW ACT ON THIS
While the Emergencies Act is in place, I hope they can use it for the people that violently attacked the Coastal GasLink site and did millions of dollars in significant damage and left workers shaken on Feb. 17. The RCMP say there were about 20 people, some wielding axes. If you want to see how a real violent protest is conducted, check out what this small group did. They blocked the road to the site with fire and spikes and destroyed equipment and property. Are their bank accounts or those of their funders going to be frozen? Are we going to find out who contributes to their cause? Are they going to be arrested? Does our prime minister call this violent group a “fringe group” that supports the Wet’suwet’en hereditary clan chiefs, and not their elected representatives?
DAVID PASOLLI
(This can’t be tolerated.)

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ALL ON JUSTIN
Why is it not being reported that the protests are not being directed at provincial governments, they are directly against the federal government under Justin Trudeau. They will not stop and they are unable to do so because he has backed Canadians into a corner the only way they can stop now is for him to resign. It has gone too far. Please don’t say like that’s going to happen, it’s just what must happen to end it.
JOHNNIE KOWALYK
(Justin’s not going anywhere.)

DOWNHILL SLIDE
Canada is in crisis. It has taken this country many years of political mismanagement to get here but it has arrived. The politicians we elect here are all unqualified, incompetent and after years in the job they become corrupt. Canada’s political system is broken and no longer works in this modern time. Anybody that has paid attention to the antics of Justin Trudeau and his band of Liberals/communists can only conclude that Canada is doomed if something does not change. To me it appears that there are no rules, no guidelines, no laws to being PM. It is clear that with the SNC and WE scandals that politicians can get away with criminal behaviour in this country. For 50 years the standard of living of Canadians has been declining along with our quality of life. Some day all of this debt that has been accumulated will have to be paid off and when that day comes, look out. You think that you are poor now. The U.S. is decoupling from Canada and leaving us behind. Without them, Canada will sink into Third World obscurity. This is already being illustrated by the dictatorial behaviour of Justin Trudeau. He admires China and their ruthless dictator Xi. This is Trudeau’s vision for us. This is his party’s future for Canada. Are we going to sit on our thumbs and take it. We need to demand more. I don’t agree with the truckers antivax stance but I totally support them in standing up for Canadians.
GLENN CUNNINGHAM
(Not our proudest moment.)

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WHAT NOW, JUSTIN?
So violence has erupted at the Coastal GasLink site. I wonder how Chairman Justin will react to this? He can’t call his fellow woke lefties swastika supporters, can he? This is a frightening turn of events. “In one of the most concerning acts, an attempt was made to set a vehicle on fire while workers were inside,” said the company in a statement. “The attackers also wielded axes, swinging them at vehicles and through a truck’s window. Flare guns were also fired at workers.” This is unacceptable no matter how you spin it and all involved need to be hunted down and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. I support the right to peaceful protests, but this is more worthy of the Emergency Measures Act than the truckers. Left, right centre, doesn’t matter a crime is a crime. Why do I think Chairman Justin will give the criminals who support his agenda a pass. Our so called leader, by not listening to protests has only emboldened them.
RAY STEVENSON
(A disturbing turn of events.)

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PUSHED TOO FAR
Why is anyone surprised about the trucker protests. This was bound to happen in one form or another. It happened to be the truckers who got fed up with the arrogance of this Liberal government. Sure the protests are messy and sometimes not very coherent. The one unifying theme. Frustration! The list of failures and misdeeds of this government is long and unending. For example, SNC Lavalin, Jody Wilson Raybould, embarrassing foreign trips playing Mr. Dress-up, private island trips, foreign investors ruining West Coast real estate markets, foolish statements about shutting down the oilsands and phasing out oil and gas in Canada. The result is that investment in Canada has been leaving in historic levels. This will make us all poorer from coast to coast. Compound this with the West being disenfranchised by an unfair electoral system. A promise to fix was broken. All while the friends and pals of this leader have been enriching themselves on the backs of the Canadian taxpayers. This government has broken more rules and laws than a thousand trucker protests. So anyone who is mad and frustrated as we all are. Please direct your anger in the right direction. This whole mess falls directly on Justin Trudeau’s lap.
GERRY HEFFLICK
(Yes, the protests very much reflect on his government.)