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Why are so many Americans obsessed about Canadian politics all of a sudden? The comments here are mostly non-Canadian, and are not representative of the current

Why are so many Americans obsessed about Canadian politics all of a sudden? The comments here are mostly non-Canadian, and are not representative of the current general sentiment in Canada. While invocation of the Emergencies Act is always concerning, it's pretty clearly warranted here. There's always chance for abuse, but Trudeau's minority government is on thin ice and if they cross any lines they're as good as gone. I can only imagine the chaos that would unfold if this was happening in Washington, D.C., but it's not. I know some outraged Canadians who support the protests/blockades, but most of them are either extreme right wing (a comically small population compared to USA) or heavily biased through being directly impacted by restrictions (like the travel industry). The vast majority of my friends, family, colleagues, strangers on the street, business owners I interact with, lawyers, CEOs, investors, healthcare workers, waiters, bartenders, bus drivers, teachers... are all in strong support of putting an end to the disruption, and in favour of vaccine passports, mask mandates, gathering restrictions, etc. to protect public health. Compared to the USA, Canadians care much more about what's best for the collective whole than about personal freedoms. This is simply a case of a small minority causing problems for the majority, amplified by the fact that the USA leans towards supporting the protestors.

_3u10 5y ago
It’s not a small minority, it’s more people than voted for Trudeau’s govt. In Canada we call that a plurality. As for wether it’s warranted and 8 of 10 premiers are against its invocation in their provinces.
- xyzzy_plugh 5y ago
  If didn't vote for Trudeau, I guess I can't support this? An overwhelming majority of Canadians support political parties whose platforms prioritize public health over personal freedoms. Even the conservative party supported some mandates! It is indeed a small minority.
  - _3u10 5y ago
    Then why are 8 of 10 premiers opposed to the invocation of the act? Sounds like opposition to Trudeau's gov't policy is pretty broad and widespread. Probably also why the Conservatives got more votes than the Liberals (that and a lot of Canadians don't want a leader who wears blackface, I mean when you're talking fringe minorities with unacceptable views, doesn't wearing blackface to the mall sort of top the list?) Just personally, what seems more unacceptable to you, wearing blackface, or going to a peaceful protest to protest people being fired to get vaccinated for a disease they already had?
    - xyzzy_plugh 5y ago
      Is this a serious question? I honestly can't tell if you're trolling. 8 out of 10 premiers oppose everything Trudeau does, because they're members of opposing political parties. News at 11.
mikewarot 5y ago
>Why are so many Americans obsessed about Canadian politics all of a sudden? The comments here are mostly non-Canadian, and are not representative of the current general sentiment in Canada. I'm in the US. I follow 2 Canadians (that I know of), AvE, who seems to strongly support the Truckers, but he seems to lean right. The other is Julie Nolke, who is unlikely to ever mention it. Getting a clear picture of it was something I would have counted on the media to do in my youth, 40 years ago, but they have proven themselves unreliable and quite deceitful when they have motive to be. (Iraq invasion anyone?) The Canadian government seems to be over-playing its hand, and snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. This will not do anything but erode the trust in the government, which is bad for everyone. ---- Here in the US, I've had my shots, and wear a mask in public. I've been dealing with Long Covid, so I take this stuff more seriously than the average person. Our government here in the US has failed to manage its message in a coherent manner. We're told to wear masks, but far to many people here, when they do wear masks, use them as chin straps, or have their nose hanging out. People have given up, and now are just going through the motions. Covid is endemic now, and even this failure won't push through the single payer system the US so desperately needs for its own National Security. As for "vaccine passports"... I've heard the term, but have never had cause to deal with them. ---- I miss Canada... we were there a few times before Bush got stupid and required passports. 8( Almost $600 just to get 3 passports is absurd.
rubatuga 5y ago
I’m Canadian, I work in healthcare. Around half the healthcare workers I’ve talked to want an end to mandates and passports. At this point, the vaccine mandates are ethically speaking, on thin ice as well. Autonomy and freedom from coercion is fundamental to informed consent.
- amrocha 5y ago
  I'm Canadian, I work in IT. Literally the only people who want to end the vaccine passport program are idiot boomers with brain poisoning. Most people are PISSED with anti vaxxers. Stop pretending you have the popular position because you don't.
  - dpbriggs 5y ago
    Those are only people who want the end of it? Only people? Please stop with twitter-tier takes on this website. Following that with an appeal to popularity does what exactly here - disprove their anecdata?
sleepingadmin 5y ago
>Why are so many Americans obsessed about Canadian politics all of a sudden? The comments here are mostly non-Canadian, and are not representative of the current general sentiment in Canada. Canadian here. Americans are concerned about Canadian democracy falling. 43 out of 50 states have no mandates; the remaining 7 are clear political lines. Many other countries in the world never had restrictions. Many who did have also dropped them. It's unreasonable for a high vaccinated country to remain so restricted. The smearing of these protests has been extreme to the point that the world is commenting how bad it is in Canada. >While invocation of the Emergencies Act is always concerning, it's pretty clearly warranted here. There's always chance for abuse, but Trudeau's minority government is on thin ice and if they cross any lines they're as good as gone. It's absolutely not warranted but also completely invalid. You cant use the act to shutdown peaceful protests. Several premiers who should have been consulted as per requirements of the act are publicly opposing this. >I can only imagine the chaos that would unfold if this was happening in Washington, D.C., but it's not. I know some outraged Canadians who support the protests/blockades, but most of them are either extreme right wing (a comically small population compared to USA) or heavily biased through being directly impacted by restrictions (like the travel industry). That's quite the characterization. Absolutely not accurate compared to my understanding. >The vast majority of my friends, family, colleagues, strangers on the street, business owners I interact with, lawyers, CEOs, investors, healthcare workers, waiters, bartenders, bus drivers, teachers... are all in strong support of putting an end to the disruption, and in favour of vaccine passports, mask mandates, gathering restrictions, etc. to protect public health. Of your friends. https://twitter.com/AngusReid/status/1488044322192695297 https://twitter.com/AngusReid/status/1488044322192695297 In reality polls show somewhere between 50% and 75% of Canadians support the protests and think restrictions must end. you know... like the rest of the world is doing. >Compared to the USA, Canadians care much more about what's best for the collective whole than about personal freedoms. This is simply a case of a small minority causing problems for the majority, amplified by the fact that the USA leans towards supporting the protestors. You seem to be living in a political bubble. Out of curiosity, do you believe Trudeau when he says the protesters are 'fringe minority of racists, sexists, and white supremacists?'
- xyzzy_plugh 5y ago

_3u10 5y ago

It’s not a small minority, it’s more people than voted for Trudeau’s govt. In Canada we call that a plurality. As for wether it’s warranted and 8 of 10 premiers are against its invocation in their provinces.

xyzzy_plugh 5y ago
If didn't vote for Trudeau, I guess I can't support this? An overwhelming majority of Canadians support political parties whose platforms prioritize public health over personal freedoms. Even the conservative party supported some mandates! It is indeed a small minority.
- _3u10 5y ago
  Then why are 8 of 10 premiers opposed to the invocation of the act? Sounds like opposition to Trudeau's gov't policy is pretty broad and widespread. Probably also why the Conservatives got more votes than the Liberals (that and a lot of Canadians don't want a leader who wears blackface, I mean when you're talking fringe minorities with unacceptable views, doesn't wearing blackface to the mall sort of top the list?) Just personally, what seems more unacceptable to you, wearing blackface, or going to a peaceful protest to protest people being fired to get vaccinated for a disease they already had?
  - xyzzy_plugh 5y ago
    Is this a serious question? I honestly can't tell if you're trolling. 8 out of 10 premiers oppose everything Trudeau does, because they're members of opposing political parties. News at 11.

mikewarot 5y ago

>Why are so many Americans obsessed about Canadian politics all of a sudden? The comments here are mostly non-Canadian, and are not representative of the current general sentiment in Canada. I'm in the US. I follow 2 Canadians (that I know of), AvE, who seems to strongly support the Truckers, but he seems to lean right. The other is Julie Nolke, who is unlikely to ever mention it. Getting a clear picture of it was something I would have counted on the media to do in my youth, 40 years ago, but they have proven themselves unreliable and quite deceitful when they have motive to be. (Iraq invasion anyone?) The Canadian government seems to be over-playing its hand, and snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. This will not do anything but erode the trust in the government, which is bad for everyone. ---- Here in the US, I've had my shots, and wear a mask in public. I've been dealing with Long Covid, so I take this stuff more seriously than the average person. Our government here in the US has failed to manage its message in a coherent manner. We're told to wear masks, but far to many people here, when they do wear masks, use them as chin straps, or have their nose hanging out. People have given up, and now are just going through the motions. Covid is endemic now, and even this failure won't push through the single payer system the US so desperately needs for its own National Security. As for "vaccine passports"... I've heard the term, but have never had cause to deal with them. ---- I miss Canada... we were there a few times before Bush got stupid and required passports. 8( Almost $600 just to get 3 passports is absurd.

rubatuga 5y ago

I’m Canadian, I work in healthcare. Around half the healthcare workers I’ve talked to want an end to mandates and passports. At this point, the vaccine mandates are ethically speaking, on thin ice as well. Autonomy and freedom from coercion is fundamental to informed consent.

amrocha 5y ago
I'm Canadian, I work in IT. Literally the only people who want to end the vaccine passport program are idiot boomers with brain poisoning. Most people are PISSED with anti vaxxers. Stop pretending you have the popular position because you don't.
- dpbriggs 5y ago
  Those are only people who want the end of it? Only people? Please stop with twitter-tier takes on this website. Following that with an appeal to popularity does what exactly here - disprove their anecdata?

sleepingadmin 5y ago

>Why are so many Americans obsessed about Canadian politics all of a sudden? The comments here are mostly non-Canadian, and are not representative of the current general sentiment in Canada. Canadian here. Americans are concerned about Canadian democracy falling. 43 out of 50 states have no mandates; the remaining 7 are clear political lines. Many other countries in the world never had restrictions. Many who did have also dropped them. It's unreasonable for a high vaccinated country to remain so restricted. The smearing of these protests has been extreme to the point that the world is commenting how bad it is in Canada. >While invocation of the Emergencies Act is always concerning, it's pretty clearly warranted here. There's always chance for abuse, but Trudeau's minority government is on thin ice and if they cross any lines they're as good as gone. It's absolutely not warranted but also completely invalid. You cant use the act to shutdown peaceful protests. Several premiers who should have been consulted as per requirements of the act are publicly opposing this. >I can only imagine the chaos that would unfold if this was happening in Washington, D.C., but it's not. I know some outraged Canadians who support the protests/blockades, but most of them are either extreme right wing (a comically small population compared to USA) or heavily biased through being directly impacted by restrictions (like the travel industry). That's quite the characterization. Absolutely not accurate compared to my understanding. >The vast majority of my friends, family, colleagues, strangers on the street, business owners I interact with, lawyers, CEOs, investors, healthcare workers, waiters, bartenders, bus drivers, teachers... are all in strong support of putting an end to the disruption, and in favour of vaccine passports, mask mandates, gathering restrictions, etc. to protect public health. Of your friends. https://twitter.com/AngusReid/status/1488044322192695297 https://twitter.com/AngusReid/status/1488044322192695297 In reality polls show somewhere between 50% and 75% of Canadians support the protests and think restrictions must end. you know... like the rest of the world is doing. >Compared to the USA, Canadians care much more about what's best for the collective whole than about personal freedoms. This is simply a case of a small minority causing problems for the majority, amplified by the fact that the USA leans towards supporting the protestors. You seem to be living in a political bubble. Out of curiosity, do you believe Trudeau when he says the protesters are 'fringe minority of racists, sexists, and white supremacists?'

xyzzy_plugh 5y ago