As an average Canadian, I have always had pride in our country. We are polite, peacekeepers, with charitable hearts, and we welcome all those who come to either visit or live in this great nation.
During the past several years, with working knowledge of how municipal, provincial and federal governments function, I had a hard time believing they did not work for the people or that they didn’t have our best interests at heart. Now, I am not so naive to think that money and agendas do not exist, there are always backroom negotiations to leverage things that have more importance or value to certain areas in the country/province/region. That is just life.
During the first days of the pandemic, I respected what our leaders were doing to keep people calm, take care of us as Canadians and do what was needed to protect our most vulnerable. However, as the days rolled on, my gut kept telling me that the protective measures were not making sense. During SARS and other outbreaks, we did not have these extremes. I worked with the business community and saw first-hand how these measures affected them and their families; it was catastrophic for many.
Then, as Canadians, we were no longer able to make our own decisions without consequences, harassment and judgment. The V-pass was the last straw for me. COMPLIANCE. That word determined if you were a good Canadian or a bad Canadian. When a colleague said to me, if you aren’t getting the jab, you should have your health card taken away, I was shocked. Then I saw the article in the Toronto Star and realized people were feeding into this. We are Canadian, with the right to choose, no? One only has to search and there are hundreds of opinion pieces published on dividing Canadians.
Now, before you judge this as an anti-vax story, I did get the jab – coerced through new employment and the ability to see my son play hockey or travel. For that, I am in constant regret. I didn’t trust there was enough time to test it. That was suspicion one, then the bribes that was suspicion two. The final straw was the threats and published stories of division. Watching people watch loved ones through glass or hearing of those not able to attend a funeral for someone they deeply loved. What is wrong with our leaders and their judgement.
My family was divided, my heart hurt and my husband – far more aware of the realities than I was – were struggling and alone. Then as a proud trucker’s daughter, I went to a bridge, thinking I would stand alone and wave to the trucks coming through. Now this is not a convoy story, this is a moment of reality. It was -20 on a fairly remote country bridge over the QEW. I parked and started walking up, and to my shock and dismay that bridge was packed. Packed with Canadians shaking hands, hugging and for the first time – just as I was – realizing we were not alone. The truck drivers rolling through united our hearts and spirits. I will never forget that moment.
Since that moment, I question my own judgement, I research so much more and I am awake to the realities of our world. I have chosen to look at things through faith and with critical thought. At first, that journey was so overwhelming. Some days it still is. As small children and young adults, we are taught to respect authority and our leaders have authority. However, what if our leaders are not watching our for us? What if they are selfishly following their own plans, or plans that have been passed down to them. What if globally there are plans to control us more? What if evil people are trying to ruin culture and society.
If you have followed me this far, I thank you, and trust me I understand how crazy it sounds. In the simplest of ways I think this through by asking myself, what does the bully in grade school try to accomplish with sinister plans? What if that bully grows up and is promised wealth, compensation, and immunity to go along with a bigger bully’s plans. In Canada, we had this amazing identity known across the world. We have sister cities in other countries that boast of their love of our country. As a peacekeeping, loving and polite nation. As one with the unique characteristics of natural beauty and acceptance. Today, can you say that we are known for that? Our own prime minister mocks certain cultures, favours the ones whom he can exploit for monetary gain, name calls, violates ethics, and creates the most divisive narratives at a time when our country needs hope and uplifting. The fabric of Canada no longer exists, words are changed in our anthem and the welcoming spirit we have is for all who come to the country but not those who were born and raised in our country. So today, I am a Concerned Canadian. I am concerned for our future, for our children’s future and for our identity as Canadians.
Concerned Canadians. 