# Canadian 'dopers, Freedom Convoy? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [February 10, 2022, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186 "2022-02-10T00:07:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2022, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/321 "2022-02-16T20:52:52Z")
Yep. Once the vehicles are towed/dragged off to an impound lot, and then sold off, the drivers are not going to see a dime of the money raised by the grifters. Not even enough for a bus ticket home. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2022, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/322 "2022-02-16T21:14:46Z")
> In a Facebook video on Wednesday, convoy leader Pat King told protesters still blockading streets in Ottawa to “hold the line.” First step: Detain this guy. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2022, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/323 "2022-02-16T21:46:42Z")
There are some still there with big rigs blocking streets? Private towing heavy haulers are unwilling? Deputize (or whatever Canada can do) some folks in the Road and Bridge department in Ottawa. Get a few large articulated loaders and possibly road graders. Have the police protect the R&B crews, throw a chain or two around the semi tractor front axle and drag the fuckers out of there. Damage to the rigs and (likely streets) be dammed. When a few see what is happening, I suspect the rest will drive off and think twice next time. There is, IMHO, a need to just do it. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2022, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/324 "2022-02-16T21:51:54Z")
They got their very specific driver’s license because of a health and safety mandate! ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2022, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/325 "2022-02-16T22:03:58Z")
Yup. At least in the US they do. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2022, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/326 "2022-02-16T22:14:51Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > They got their very specific driver’s license because of a health and safety mandate! Indeed. Of course, for all I know, they’re opposed to the existence of drivers’ licenses also. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2022, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/327 "2022-02-16T22:45:10Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > throw a chain or two around the semi tractor front axle and drag the fuckers out of there. Ha! Pretty much exactly what I was going to say. Same with regular pickups. Local tow companies unwilling to suffer the blowback, or actually sympathize with the criminals? Just break the driver and passenger windows, couple loops of chain and drag them away to a nearby parking lot. Auction them off “as is, where is” ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2022, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/328 "2022-02-16T23:10:14Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Oh yeah? They got you to spend time posting about them rather than working. Well, yeah, but I was always going to post about _something_. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2022, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/329 "2022-02-16T23:12:56Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Same with regular pickups. Local tow companies unwilling to suffer the blowback, or actually sympathize with the criminals? I want to hire some of those firefighters you occasionally see photos of - where they’ve run a hose right through a car that was blocking a hydrant. Those guys don’t mess around. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2022, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/330 "2022-02-16T23:45:50Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Just break the driver and passenger windows, couple loops of chain and drag them away to a nearby parking lot. Auction them off “as is, where is” Ottawa MUST have some pretty heavy duty snow moving equipment. What is used on my road in Colorado would make quick work of a semi tractor & trailer on a paved street. This isn’t about inconvenience, or pizza drivers not being able to get through. This is an emergency management situation. If it damages the truck, well, too bad, too sad. Speaking of Emergency Management, why the hell didn’t they get involved? In the Colorado County I work for, this shit would have been cleared up real fast. EMS can’t get through? “You refuse to move it? OK. We will. And this is your ride. It’s got lots of pretty lights on top of it.” I don’t mean to sound like and internet tough guy, but this was bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/331 "2022-02-17T00:13:36Z")
I saw a truck here in California the other day that was flying a giant Canadian flag off the tailgate, and my first thought was, “Look at this asshole.” Which is not a thought I’ve ever had after seeing the Canadian flag before. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/332 "2022-02-17T00:54:26Z")
I know we disagree but I’ve never been so proud of Canada. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/333 "2022-02-17T00:56:37Z")
Wow, Ottawa City council is melting down. Meeting here: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/UCpkA_3_gpU/maxresdefault.jpg "Ottawa City Council - Wednesday, February 16, 2022") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCpkA_3_gpU) There’s a motion to can several members of the Police Services Board, one other member of that board has already resigned in protest. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/334 "2022-02-17T00:59:33Z")
Someone said this in another thread, but will post it here. **Dr\_Paprika** I think the _effect_ of the protest has been to make Trudeau look weak, and make some federal Conservative leaders look out of touch. Ford handled it slightly better. This is just how I see it; without commenting on timing or what _should_ have been done. I do not know. Almost three weeks already? (Trudeau should probably have been more visible, but showing restraint is good. I am not persuaded that other federal leaders would have done better. I do not know the realities of what was or is needed to make things happen.) But what was done was using the _Emergencies Act_ . This is for “a public order emergency” that comprises “threats to the security of Canada” which are “so serious as to be a national emergency”, which is defined as an “urgent and critical situation” that “seriously endangers” the “lives, health or safety of Canadians” to an extent that exceeds “the capacity or authority of the provinces” or “seriously threatens” the “sovereignty, security and territorial integrity” of Canada, and which “cannot be effectively dealt with under any other law of Canada”. This is a high bar to clear. You can make the case there is a danger to public safety and that Ontario had evidence for a lack of provincial capacity. Most Canadians probably feel clearing away the big trucks and opening borders is worth it due to the damage to many businesses, to Canada’s reputation and the likelihood of similar tactics being used again. But the legal debate did not really take place, to my knowledge, yesterday or today in the House. Some claim the police already had all the powers and laws required. Others that the powers granted are disproportionate, despite a limited time frame and pending further mandatory legislative review. It is also unclear what will happen now companies with the capacity to tow continue to say they cannot be compelled to do so as private companies. The military is also reluctant to get involved with this, stating their available vehicles are far away. Accepting US help would be politically difficult. It is unclear to me if passing the Emergencies Act changes this in practice. I suppose we will see over the next 48 hours. Clearly many hope the protestors will just go away, a reality which will be more difficult if 20-25 cm of snow is falling on Ottawa over the next few days as predicted. A hot mess. Public protest is an important and ancient right. Having the protestors on foot would be a good start - vehicles were blocked from getting to Queens Park, but not Ottawa. Making war memorials, borders and airports places where protest is not permitted may make some degree of sense if these tactics may be repeated by any future group with any grievance. I am less convinced of the merits of forbidding protests at parliaments, but perhaps only on foot. I do not know about legislating time limits for protests (Is it possible? Is it wise?) and the problems with towing big trucks will clearly require a better solution. [/quote] ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/335 "2022-02-17T01:20:23Z")
When you paralyze the capital, the country’s largest city, AND busiest land crossing, I think you easily clear that high bar, and should feel compelled to act. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/336 "2022-02-17T01:35:14Z")
Yes, this. Although the damage was mostly economic as opposed to blood and burning buildings it was still real damage. Also was starting to cause damage to Canada’s neighbor and largest trading partner. They were starting to branch out to interfering with airports. Not a good situation and if the local authorities either couldn’t or wouldn’t deal with it then probably it needed to be upped to the next level. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/337 "2022-02-17T01:43:42Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > I know we disagree but I’ve never been so proud of Canada. I’m not particularly proud of the “convoy” folks who are [currently charged with conspiracy to murder police officers.](https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/some-arrested-at-coutts-border-protest-have-white-supremacist-links-activists-feds) ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/338 "2022-02-17T01:46:00Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > I think the _effect_ of the protest has been to make Trudeau look weak, the cool thing is that Conservative commenters are painting him as both weak and ineffectual AND a strongman dictator. These folks can hold many contradictory thoughts in their head at once it seems. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/339 "2022-02-17T01:50:13Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > > [@UltraVires](#): > > > > I know we disagree but I’ve never been so proud of Canada. > > I’m not particularly proud of the “convoy” folks who are [currently charged with conspiracy to murder police officers.](https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/some-arrested-at-coutts-border-protest-have-white-supremacist-links-activists-feds) Presumably those are the “very fine people” whom UltraVires is quoting in his declaration of pride? From your link: > [@](#): > > Charged with conspiracy to commit murder, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and mischief are Christopher Lysak of Lethbridge, Anthony Olienick of Claresholm, Chris Carbert of Lethbridge and Jerry Morin of Olds. […] > > In a Feb. 5 Facebook post, suspect Carbert urged material support for the Coutts blockaders and expressed his pride in being one of them. > > “We need to remember that this isn’t only for Canada and our families but for the whole world. I don’t know about you but I have never been so proud to be Canadian, let’s never give up and be the example for the world,” he stated. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/340 "2022-02-17T02:00:32Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Presumably those are the “very fine people” whom UltraVires is quoting in his declaration of pride? I assumed he was proud of Canada for finally shutting down these convoy numbnuts. It’s a pretty ambiguous statement though so he’ll need to come in and let us know why he is currently proud of Canada. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186.md?page=18)