The decision to invoke the Emergency Act in response to the “Freedom Convoy” activities in Ottawa will be debated in Parliament and reviewed by a commission under the terms of the Act. Some voices have urged us to look deeper at some of the underlying social and economic conditions that may underlie these turbulent times. Temitope Oriola, Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Alberta, and his research team received SSHRC funding to study police use of force in Canada. He writes about what the ‘freedom convoy’ reveals about the ties among politics, police and the law. He notes that the “freedom convoy” protesters have been able to draw on a level of political capital that most people who take to the streets to fight for their rights rarely have.
Former Conservative party leader Erin O'Toole met with some of the protesting truckers before being ousted. CTV reported that his interim successor, Candice Bergen, ‘pushed’ O'Toole to show support for the “freedom convoy” protest, arguing there were “good people on both sides.” It was an unoriginal statement, but emblematic of the thinking at the highest echelons of the Conservative Party. Bergen also told MPs that she thought the “issue should be turned into a problem for the prime minister,” a polarizing statement in advance of an election. The truckers and their anger may be used as a catalyst for electoral mobilization, and their protest is being approached with greater circumspection. Bergen and other MPs and MLAs who have voiced their support are aware of the social and political value of the protesters…1
Regina Bateson, reporting for Slate News, argues that the “Freedom Convoy” was an armed occupation of a G-7 capital.
As the rule of law retreats into the distance, what’s the takeaway? Both the right and the left seem weirdly tempted to objectify Ottawa, slotting the city’s plight into preexisting debates about big tech, freedom of speech, and the perverse consequences of social capital… Full-fledged rebellions in advanced industrialized democracies are rare. Either would-be rebels are deterred by the power of the state, or governments react swiftly. But just because a state has the capacity to resist an insurrection doesn’t guarantee that it will. Democracy and security are intricately linked and more tenuous than we might like to think—even in Canada. 2
David Deane, faculty member at the Atlantic School of Theology, asks in a YouTube presentation, “Are the freedom protesters racist? And if not, why are we so desperate to say they are?”
My answer draws on some Marxist analysis and suggests two things (1) That our demonization of them helps retain trust in our capitalist society and preserve our capital, and (2) it 'covers up' and justifies the inherent disgust the bourgeoisie have for those without capital. On the basis of this analysis I then claim that Christians can not continue to despise these people, especially when such despising serves to elevate the social capital of Christians. Instead, following Christ, we are called to love them – this does not mean agree with them – but loving them, and refusing to dehumanize them by supposing them to be racist, is essential to being a faithful follower of Christ at this time.3
Leah Gazan, MP for Winnipeg Centre, in her speech in the debate about the Emergency Act makes the connection of the “Freedom Convoy” to wealthy Canadian elites. She claims these elites are not concerned about the needs of the working class in Canada. She urges Canadians to shift our focus to make lives better and defend democracy.
Equality vs. Equity - by the Interaction Institute for Social Change | Artist: Angus Maguire.” Image Found: interactioninstitute.org
Regardless of the outcome of the vote to approve the Government use of the Emergency Act, we need to work to achieve greater equity in Canada for groups who suffer as a consequence of their lack of economic and social capital.
It's time to tell some hard truths about what is happening to our country and to our democracy. We can't afford to be complacent any longer.
— Leah ProudLakota (she/her) (@LeahGazan) February 20, 2022
My speech from this morning's debate on the Emergencies Act. #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/hXUIV49UMw
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