# 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:** 20
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/381 "2022-02-17T20:25:34Z")
More “yeah yeah, shit’s imminent”… > **[Police make arrests as Ottawa blockade members defy orders to leave](https://www.timescolonist.com/national-news/police-make-arrests-as-ottawa-blockade-members-defy-orders-to-leave-5073816)** > > OTTAWA — Police arrested two of the main organizers behind an antigovernment demonstration on Parliament Hill late Thursday, as large trucks continued to ignore demands they leave an ongoing blockade that has antagonized residents for weeks. Positng this, though, for these interesting quotes: > [@](#): > > “If they come at us, we’ve all been instructed and agreed that — take a knee and allow the officers to do their job, thank them for doing their job and be non-confrontational," said Glen Harris, a mechanic from Melbourne, Ont. > [@](#): > > “We have to keep this non-violent," said Harris. "We have to keep this peaceful because the minute we cross that line, we become the issue.” Really? _Really?_ Time will tell if you actually walk that walk. > [@](#): > > Police say protesters who stay **might** be arrested and criminally charged. In addition, their vehicles and other property **could** be seized, their driver’s licence suspended, commercial vehicle registration cancelled, and personal or business bank accounts frozen. Breaching orders imposed through the Emergencies Act **can** result in penalties of up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. heh, jus’ boldin’ > [@](#): > > Deputy Ottawa police chief Steve Bell said Wednesday that officers were ready to use methods people are not used to seeing in the capital and that efforts to clear the streets were imminent. Yeah? Like, _what_ methods? > [@](#): > > The Emergencies Act and the enhanced powers it allows are already in effect, including authority to freeze bank accounts of convoy members and ban the presence of public gatherings in specific zones including on Parliament Hill. **However, both the House and Senate must confirm the decision to use the act. The House will vote on the act in coming days, while the Senate is expected to take it up Friday**. Yeah, let’s quickly get over all that shit. ---
**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, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/382 "2022-02-17T20:25:42Z")
> [@susan](#): > > Thats why god invented bolt cutters. Yep. Protesters have chained themselves to trees, logging equipment, other heavy machinery for years. Does not stop the police from cutting them free, removing them, charging them and finally fining or jailing them. This is how it goes, and should be no different here. If weapons are seen, or threat are made, armed response needs to move in and eliminate the threat, followed by much more serious charges, convictions and lengthy jail terms. If children are involved, child protective services need to be involved, and the children removed to a safe environment, followed by a meeting with appropriate authorities to see if/when they may be reunited with parents (as long as the danger to the children is no longer present) ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/383 "2022-02-17T20:27:00Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > As was said earlier (or in another thread), wrap some chains around them and use snowmoving equipment to drag them off to a parking lot with rubber burning and sparks flying. Does not matter what damage is done to the trucks by this method. They are not trucks anymore - they are illegal barricades that need to be removed. Yeah, that was me. Drag one away by _any means_, and watch the cockroaches run for their trucks and move them. This is an emergency services situation. Ottawa must certainly have the heavy equipment to do it. Doesn’t need to be pretty. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/384 "2022-02-17T20:57:59Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > If children are involved, child protective services need to be involved, and the children removed to a safe environment, followed by a meeting with appropriate authorities to see if/when they may be reunited with parents (as long as the danger to the children is no longer present) I think the US has some cages they can borrow. ---
**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, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/385 "2022-02-17T21:04:23Z")
[Bank accounts being frozen.](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-financial-institutions-have-started-freezing-protesters-bank-accounts/) I think it’s mainly the organizers at this point. This is going to hit them where it hurts - right in the Grift. ---
**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, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/386 "2022-02-17T21:07:24Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I think the US has some cages they can borrow. Funny you should mention that. [Metal fencing is starting to go up.](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-heavy-police-presence-descends-on-downtown-ottawa-metal-fencing-goes/) I suppose they can surround the camping criminals, and then have a one-way exit. You can leave, but you can’t get back in. Alternatively, they can just post a sign “This way to the Egress”, and the morons will wander through the gate to have a look at this interesting animal… Then they can’t get back in. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/387 "2022-02-17T21:32:16Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > … Alternatively, they can just post a sign “This way to the Egress”, and the morons will wander through the gate to have a look at this interesting animal… Then they can’t get back in. Make sure you charge them a suitable fee. The Egress is, after all, a rare animal and having seen one in the flesh will enhance one’s reputation immeasurably. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/388 "2022-02-17T22:01:30Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Alternatively, they can just post a sign “This way to the Egress”, and the morons will wander through the gate to have a look at this interesting animal… Then they can’t get back in. Also put a logo that says “MAGA” to encourage them. Then once they are out, you spell out, “Marauders All Go Away.” ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/389 "2022-02-17T23:04:48Z")
Another hook that occurred to me belatedly is to spread a rumo(u)r that the Egress is Trump’s spirit animal, which appeared to him in a dream at puberty and has been guiding him ever since. And that seeing one will bring the viewer closer to his ineffable presence. Won’t work on everyone, but the Faithful would find it hard to resist. ---
**Author:** ![excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e8c25b/32.png) [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/390 "2022-02-17T23:54:46Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Funny you should mention that. [Metal fencing is starting to go up.](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-heavy-police-presence-descends-on-downtown-ottawa-metal-fencing-goes/) I love this quote from the article: > Mr. Tyszkiewicz said he was given a similar ultimatum but he was undeterred. > > “They want to take my plates and insurance from my car,” he said, “so that means I’m terminated.” > > Despite losing his job, he said he doesn’t regret joining the protests, and now he has “nothing to lose.” Well, they say that “Freedom’s just another word for nothin’ left to lose,” so it looks like he got what he wanted. ---
**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, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/391 "2022-02-17T23:57:48Z")
This is not painfully obvious. The Emergencies Act allows the government to commandeer “any person capable” of “providing any service” under strict penalties. Tonight’s news said they have a lot of tow trucks available. It did not provide details, however. ---
**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, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/392 "2022-02-17T23:59:42Z")
The Globe said military equipment capable of moving trucks was largely based on Edmonton and Gagetown (New Brunswick) far from Ottawa. I could not vouch for its accuracy, of course. ---
**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 18, 2022, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/393 "2022-02-18T00:01:43Z")
As I said upthread, these are no longer vehicles that need to be carefully towed to avoid damage. They are barriers, and merely need to be demolished and dragged away to be dumped. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2022, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/394 "2022-02-18T00:02:32Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > As I said upthread, these are no longer vehicles that need to be carefully towed to avoid damage. You don’t want to wreck the roads, though. ---
**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 18, 2022, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/395 "2022-02-18T00:03:02Z")
There may be a vote in five days or on Monday. But until that time, the Act is in effect. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2022, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/396 "2022-02-18T00:08:01Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > the Act is in effect. But not in actual use, though, until the House and Senate confirm the decision to use it. ---
**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 18, 2022, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/397 "2022-02-18T00:11:22Z")
I think it can actually be used in the interim. It was likely responsible for more people leaving except the most obstreperous. And it remains unclear where the new towing capacity comes from. Or how easy it is to tow in thirty centimetres of snow. ---
**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 18, 2022, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/398 "2022-02-18T00:21:14Z")
The upside down trucks will slip right along with a chain on their axel… ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2022, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/399 "2022-02-18T03:19:35Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > I think it can actually be used in the interim. It does seem kind of puzzling to think of an “emergency” that has to wait for a sitting of Parliament to be acted upon at all. I mean, I can understand a case in which the emergency is declared and Parliament convenes to ratify whether the response _keeps going_ or must be expanded/curtailed/stopped, or that it means that the PM can do W and X in response but not Y and Z until they vote. I must assume that somewhere in Canadian law there must be another statute that allows the system to deal with real _OMG gotta act IMMEDIATELY_ calamities, while it’s just that the one for handling events like the one going on now, happens to be under the “Emergencies Act”. ---
**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 18, 2022, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186/400 "2022-02-18T04:35:03Z")
The Act says (I think) provinces need to be notified, it needs to be debated in Parliament in such a (pretty short) time and come up for a vote, then there needs to be a full comprehensive and independent review of all the involved factors sixty days or so later. But it is an Emergencies Act and can be used quickly. This is perhaps why the CCLA (like Canada’s ACLU) is concerned. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186.md?page=19) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-freedom-convoy/959186.md?page=21)