Trudeau govt. brought to its knees by gang of ex-RCMP and military

[Fiendish Thingy]

Looks like Canada has its own version of the Oathkeepers/III%er’s:

https://apple.news/AoDUPxBDzSY20P0C-r70bEQ

The group Police on Guard, formed during the pandemic, has endorsed the truck convoy. On its website it publicly identifies more than 150 mostly retired police officers who are against government imposed emergency measures such as vaccine mandates. More than 50 former Canadian Forces soldiers are also named on its site.

-snip-

Furthermore, the leadership team for the protesters calling themselves the Freedom Convoy includes:  
Daniel Bulford, a former RCMP officer who was on the prime minister's security detail. He quit last year after refusing to get the vaccine and is the convoy's head of security.
Tom Quiggin, a former military intelligence officer who also worked with the RCMP and was considered one the country's top counter-terrorism experts.
Tom Marazzo, an ex-military officer who, according to his LinkedIn profile, served in the Canadian Forces for 25 years and now works as a freelance software developer. 

-snip-

"I would say the opposition at this point doesn't actually have a strategy. They have a sort of weak goal and that they want the streets cleared, but they have no real idea how they want to get there," he said.

-snip-


"I think what we're going to see is people start going to the government and saying 'Get this fixed.' And if you don't, we're realizing that we have the power to shut things down," said Quiggin

Much, much more at link, including details about how the this insurrection is being run like a military operation, with supply lines providing fuel, food and other necessities, including saunas.

This report raises numerous questions:

Why has it taken two weeks for this information to be reported?

Was this insurrection an actual failure of Canada’s intelligence agencies, or did they deliberately turn a blind eye?

Are the police truly “under resourced” to handle this crisis, or are they unwilling to enforce the law against their former colleagues?

If Trudeau ends up calling in the military to resolve this crisis, will they obey his orders?

Has this insurrection been funded by anyone connected to the January 6 insurrection?

Is this insurrection by former police and military actually a slow motion coup?

[uponit7771]

1. K&R, they are trying to see how far they can go. I pray Trudeau takes concerted efforts on this

... and make the consequences a deterrent for them instead of eating it and expecting it to die out.

It wont, they know if they can do it in Canada they'll try it here too.

[FBaggins]

3. The other problem is that Covid restrictions are fading fast in most of the world

I don't know whether this is the right decision or not (we'll only know in hindsight)... but it's going to be hard for Canada to adjust their restrictions without it looking like it was a response to the protests.

[Fiendish Thingy]

17. True, but the convoy, at least initially, was about cross-border vaccine requirements

Which were instituted by both the Canadian and US governments. (Unvaccinated truckers have to test and quarantine for two weeks after entering either country).

[cilla4progress]

28. I guess I can understand their frustration and

anger, then, if that is the case.

Seems like a very UNcreative blunt hammer, way to address the issue, esp. at this point in the pandemic. Why not some carve out or specialized policy for truckers??

[pandr32]

39. Why?

[cilla4progress]

41. I guess I shouldnt opine without knowing more

and I'm definitely not supporting their tactics.

But 2 weeks quarantine crossing the border sounds like a death knell to their wage earning and is more designed for tourist travel than truckers. Did they try tonhave their concerns addressed civilly and were ignored?

Seems there should have been a policy developed addressed to cross-border truck travel before it got to this point.

[Lucky Luciano]

44. The policy is to get vaccinated so they don't have to quarantine.

[pandr32]

46. International borders have requirements to meet

During a pandemic with so much contagion and death the added requirement of an effective vaccine is common sense. Truckers get out of their trucks and interact with others.
The travel goes both ways. Outbreaks have occurred in areas due to this kind of contact. Outbreaks are expensive and dangerous.
Most trucking companies and truckers have complied and been vaccinated.
The ones who are part of this protest are not union and are considered a fringe group.
They have put themselves in the position to have additional crossing hardship and don't like it. Tough.

As you can tell I have little sympathy for them.
Thanks for getting back to me.

[cilla4progress]

52. Ok, see -

you have educated me and I appreciate it!

Thanks!

[pandr32]

63. You are welcome

You educate me, too.

[pandr32]

38. This makes me so mad!

It is an international border and vaccine requirements to travel into other countries have been pretty much accepted as one of the measures one needs to take. It seems so common sense.
I really don't think this is about vaccines at all. Vaccines just give a platform for propaganda and chaos meant to destabilize democracies in the West.

These truckers should be held accountable, but so should every link in the chain above them right on up to Putin.

[luvtheGWN]

50. I really don't think this is about vaccines at all. Vaccines just give a platform for propaganda and

chaos meant to destabilize democracies in the west.

Yes. There is evidence if significant funding from the US. Somme 30% (in small donations) from Canada, around 20% from other countries and a whopping 52% from large American donors. GOFUNDME shut down donations but this relatively new crowdfunding (religious) is taking donations.

The whole event was organized by a leader of the Maverick Party which promotes the exit of Alberta from Canada, abundantly supported by members of the Oath Keepers, Proud Boys and others of their ilk. Reichwing news, along with Ted Cruz and a bunch of reichwing congresscritters have voiced their support -- and I had heard that a similar protest is being planned in early March in the US. There are other such protests going on in some European countries.

A plan to destabilize the west? Yes indeed. Can there be any doubt?

[luvtheGWN]

51. I really don't think this is about vaccines at all. Vaccines just give a platform for propaganda and

[i]chaos meant to destabilize democracies in the west.

Yes. There is evidence if significant funding from the US. Somme 30% (in small donations) from Canada, around 20% from other countries and a whopping 52% from large American donors. GOFUNDME shut down donations but this relatively new crowdfunding (religious) is taking donations.

The whole event was organized by a leader of the Maverick Party which promotes the exit of Alberta from Canada, abundantly supported by members of the Oath Keepers, Proud Boys and others of their ilk. Reichwing news, along with Ted Cruz and a bunch of reichwing congresscritters have voiced their support -- and I had heard that a similar protest is being planned in early March in the US. There are other such protests going on in some European countries.

A plan to destabilize the west? Yes indeed. Can there be any doubt?

[CrispyQ]

8. Would he not have done something already if he was going to?

Will it take disrupting the super bowl before anyone does anything? Or will we let that go, too? These people are becoming more emboldened every day.

[Mysterian]

2. Take away any government checks these assholes are receiving,

such as pension benefits. Time to stop playing nice with these criminals.

[BComplex]

6. That's a great and warranted solution.

I wish our own government would do the same.

[cilla4progress]

4. Anyone one else see society breaking down

around the planet?

Canada???!!!

[FreepFryer]

7. However, it does suggest that US expats aren't going to just escape global fascism. (Nt)

[CrispyQ]

13. What we have/had was unsustainable for 8 billion people.

The economy. The lifestyles. The inequality. The ignorance. Just all of it. We've built a global society on shallow values, on wealth & power. We look one quarter ahead instead of seven generations. As a species we gave into the lowest of our attributes.

Love of money is the root of all evil.

[cilla4progress]

21. I could not agree with you more, Crispy!

Thank you for articulating the repressed desperation and panic I feel welling up.

You help me feel saner. That what I'm seeing and feeling isn't crazy - or at least I'm not alone. I am feeling so much fear right now. Seeing what is going down in Canada - the forces of chaos, violence and hatred are.being empowered.

Living in a vulture capitalist society this is only amped up.

I would add (though you implied it) mindless consumerism.

I hate to say it but I think our species' domination - existence? - on this planet has its days numbered. Maybe that's a good thing, if some nature can outlive us.

I note your use of the past tense.

[CrispyQ]

25. "No matter how cynical I get, I can't keep up." Lily Tomlin

I hate to admit it, but I'm a pessimistic misanthrope. But I do still have a sense of humor.

[cilla4progress]

27. Boy, birds of a feather,

you and I. That is a perfect description of me, as well.

Thanks for the graphic - good one.

I'm going to have to keep a lookout for your posts here. It's encouraging to find someone on the same wavelength - who "gets" me! Some can be put off by our pessimisim and misanthropy (haha - did I coin a word?), but we (or speak for myself- I) understand that at its base is a deep love of life and a passion for wholeness!

[getagrip_already]

34. but what if there is no water? matrixist....... n/t

[Bernardo de La Paz]

37. You forgot: Engineer: "Glass is twice as big as it needs to be". . . . nt

[roamer65]

24. Yup.

8 BILLION IS TOO MANY.

[3auld6phart]

5. Quislings

Thank gawd people like Jenner, Fleming, Salk,Pasture
and other early scientists were able to get people to
Vaccinate. I dare say these antivaxers and mask holes
would try and lynch these saviours of mankind, if they
could get their hands on them.

[Haggard Celine]

9. I would have them all arrested and seize the trucks

and have them all driven out of there. It would be one thing if they were protesting mask mandates, although that would be bad enough, but vaccine mandates? That's the most potent weapon we have against the virus! They want the government to bow to people who believe in conspiracies. That cannot be allowed. These insurrectionists need to be dealt with severely, and their trucks need to be taken away and auctioned off by the government. These people cannot be allowed to profit from this or retain their freedom.

[Fiendish Thingy]

18. I agree, but it appears that Canadian law enforcement won't take those steps. Nt

[Haggard Celine]

23. There must be at least 1000 people in the Canadian military

who are willing to go into Ottawa and do what needs to be done. Surely they aren't all on the side of the insurrectionists. Trudeau should use every resource necessary to end this shit. If he can't figure out a way to play hardball with these assholes, he really needs to give the government to someone who can. He could give them a warning to get in their trucks and drive out of there before he sends in the big guns and if that doesn't work, he should send in anyone who can and will stop it. They can't be allowed to continue this.

[Bev54]

30. One of the biggest problems in playing hardball is that a lot of these assholes have

children in their trucks and are hiding behind them. They are no better than ISIS.

[Haggard Celine]

36. Oh, that's horrible!

They need to have more charges added for bringing children into a situation like that! It's sickening.

[VarryOn]

10. Trudy doesn't have what Canada needs with something like this...

Seems to be indecisive and twisted in knots.

[Bev54]

32. He is not indecisive and twisted. It is a tricky situation and as much as the conservatives

yell, they also know that there is a bigger separation between law enforcement and politicians here than there is in the US. They are using it as a political stunt. I don't see them jumping in to help with solutions. This is tricky with the number of children embedded in the trucks.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

35. You are wrong. And you seem anti-Liberal with your twisting of his name. Progressive much?

Last edited Thu Feb 10, 2022, 02:02 PM - Edit history (1)

Gee, thanks for the support from south of the border. First guys send funds to the occupiers. Now we have an attack at the government on a supposedly liberal forum.

For what? For respecting provincial and municipal jurisdictions.

You want to attack somebody, attack the CONservative leader of Ontario, Ford, who is being very quiet and doing nothing because he doesn't want to disturb his base in advance of his upcoming election campaign. He has jurisdiction with the Highways Act.

[BlueWavePsych]

49. Lots of garbage (and funds) coming from GQP

[obamanut2012]

59. They also insult men by feminizing them

It is so disgusting and unprogressive.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

61. Yup, that's a bit of a dog whistle

A while ago I used to do it for a certain southern Senator until it was pointed out generally by some original post.

[obamanut2012]

57. Who is Trudy?

Is there a Canadian woman pol named that? I don't know of any, and the Mayor of Ottawa is a man.

Who is Trudy?

[tenderfoot]

66. TRO LOL LOL

[BlueJac]

11. My wife is Canadian...

She listens to me tell her who these truckers are, and she does not even seem worried! She watched Jan 6 with me and shouted shoot them assholes. I told her Canada should not play nice with these people because they will not go quietly away!

[PortTack]

31. See post #29... others agree with your wife

[Sneederbunk]

12. Sergeant Preston would not approve.

[Mordred]

15. He needs to head east fast

and bring King with him to lay out the law and order!

[Sneederbunk]

16. On you huskies.

In the name of the Crown.

[Another Jackalope]

14. Canada's turn in the barrel.

I've been wondering who is organizing these bozos.
Now we know.
I also just read that their money is coming in via crypto.
The whole shemozzle felt hinky from the word go.

I moved to Ottawa 40 years ago, now I live just north of of there in rural Quebec. The pandemic has been a good excuse not to go into the city, and now I have an epidemic of truckers to avoid too.

[Disaffected]

19. And I believe there is another stark lesson here for our American friends.

What you see happening may well be a microcosm of what will happen in the US if Trump is indicted (or if the Repugs loose the next election(s)).

[Another Jackalope]

20. Anti-vax is a potent organizational pretext

It's a rallying cry to get the propagandized hoi polloi involved.
IMO the real goal is to bring down democratic governments around the world.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/07/world/canada/canada-protesters-ottawa.html

As Protest Paralyzes Canada’s Capital, Far-Right Activists Abroad Embrace It

It may be only a few hundred demonstrators occupying Ottawa’s streets to protest government overreach, but their message has aroused passions around the world.

[roamer65]

22. He should do like his dad.

Invoke the War Measures Act and start arresting.

He has the power. Use it.

[Fiendish Thingy]

26. WMA was replaced by the Emergencies Act

But I agree the military will be required to end this.

[roamer65]

71. +1000

[Bernardo de La Paz]

64. That's what the occupiers want. They'd use it for decades for propaganda

It may come to it, but I think if it does, Trudeau would act decisively and swiftly. Like his dad, though not the same way or same legislation.

[PortTack]

29. Here's a different take on this from Beau of the 5th column. The comments too are enlightening

Posted by Ottawa residents

[DonCoquixote]

47. Beau

Thank you for reminding me that canada is not yet trumpland.

[Fiendish Thingy]

54. Beau grossly misunderstands what's happening- he ignores the border blockade

30+% of cross border commerce has been blocked by these insurrectionists, to the tune of half a billion dollars a day. The Ford plant has been forced to close. Food is rotting in trucks that can’t move.

This is a slow moving coup, and needs to be dealt with as such.

[True Dough]

70. That's some good perspective right there!

If the authorities can effectively cut off the supply chain -- and what global supply chain isn't disrupted at this point in time anyhow? -- then the majority of protesters are just going to peter out and go home.

Sayonara!

[Bernardo de La Paz]

33. Get real. Brought to it's knees? Hardly. . . nt

[Fiendish Thingy]

58. Who controls the streets of Ottawa right now? Who controls cross border commerce?

It ain’t the Trudeau government- all they’re doing is reacting, ineffectively, to the insurrectionists who are in control on the ground.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

60. Ottawa: Ottawa Municipality. Cross Border: Canadian Government.

Who controls the Highways of Ontario: Ontario.

In no case do "protestors" control everything or a majority. The occupations and sieges are limited to small areas. In the case of cross-border commerce, it is an important fraction, but only a fraction, a minority of trade.

So.

Brought to its knees? No.


Are you buying into all-or-nothing binary thinking? Yes. Again? Yes.

[Buckeyeblue]

40. I would use hard and swift force against them

To arrest them. And if they are using their kids as human shields, I would also charge them child endangerment.

[Gilbert Moore]

42. Biden Needs

Helicopter gunships with tear gas and mace. Being generous I am !

[BadGimp]

43. As Putin smiles

[ancianita]

45. He needs his version of the FBI to charge, indict and otherwise round them up, fine and jail them.

[knightmaar]

48. The government wasn't brought to its knees

Trudeau was in Parliament, speaking, as he normally does.
This is a huge exaggeration by a bunch of annoying racists.

[Fiendish Thingy]

55. Who controls the streets of Ottawa at this moment? Who controls cross border commerce?

It ain’t the Trudeau government.

[knightmaar]

65. A bunch of jerks are making a mess of downtown

Parliament, however, is still functional. The government is still functioning.
It's just noisy, locals are harassed and assaulted, and traffic sucks.

[Fiendish Thingy]

67. $500 million/a day in cross border commerce has been blocked. Who's in charge?

Just because you can have a debate in parliament, doesn’t mean you’re in control of the country.

[knightmaar]

69. That shit is about to end. The conservatives just bailed on them and told them to leave.

They've lost their big donors, now that they're hurting large companies like automakers.

[BlueWavePsych]

53. How organizers with police and military expertise may be helping Ottawa convoy protest dig in

It's a success that experts partly attribute to the deep knowledge of law enforcement and military tactics that exist in the convoy's organizational structure.

Furthermore, the leadership team for the protesters calling themselves the Freedom Convoy includes:

• Daniel Bulford, a former RCMP officer who was on the prime minister's security detail. He quit last year after refusing to get the vaccine and is the convoy's head of security.
  
  
• Tom Quiggin, a former military intelligence officer who also worked with the RCMP and was considered one of the country's top counter-terrorism experts.
  
  
• Tom Marazzo, an ex-military officer who, according to his LinkedIn profile, served in the Canadian Forces for 25 years and now works as a freelance software developer.

The day after the police raid, protesters continued to deliver fuel to downtown truckers as they executed a co-ordinated effort to exhaust police resources. Demonstrators pulled wagons full of jerry cans past officers who just watched.

Ottawa police Deputy Chief Steve Bell said demonstrators were "filling gas canisters with water to distract officers … attempting to subvert our efforts." He said one officer was swarmed while trying to confiscate fuel.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/convoy-protesters-police-tactical-knowledge-1.6345854



The FreeDumb Convoy has transformed into economic sabotage (livelihoods from supply chain blockage) and the deprivation of much needed health care for the needy (eg cancer patients).

[Fiendish Thingy]

56. This is the same article linked in my OP. People don't get it

These insurrectionists are fucking around- they’re in it for the long haul, and have the organization, funding, and supplies to out last the police.

[budkin]

62. This has been amplified 24/7 by American right-wing media

It's wall to wall coverage on Fox News because "FREEDOM."

[Fiendish Thingy]

68. Canadian media has been pretty guilty of unbalanced bothsiderism as well. Nt