Canadian Orwellian world: Lockdowns, vaccines passports and more

[Arwenn]

This video popped up on YouTube. Pretty scary for us seniors in Canada, if true. After 70 we will have to take tests and spend a lot of money to prove we can still drive safely. Supposedly starting this month, for over 70s.
Perhaps the prairie provinces will not implement it (wishful thinking?).

This is already in effect in some states in Australia. In NSW, people above the age of 75 (or if they have a listed medical condition if younger such as diabetes or epilepsy) have to undergo an annual medical and an eye exam as part of the Fitness to Drive assessment. And at certain ages (80 and 85) a medical as well as a driving test.

I can understand the concept but it’s expensive and nerve wracking for them, and requires so much paperwork for doctors and optometrists.

 

[whitecoast]

For awhile now in BC there's been a controversy around the federal government doing testing of an ostrich farm, claiming to find bird flu, and ordering a culling of over 400 ostriches. This is a research farm which claims it is breeding natural immunity to covid, bird flu, and other infections. That the government wants this type of work stamped out speaks volumes.

For almost 250 days the birds have been shown to be completely healthy and herd immune. Some questionable testing from the government, which has ignored the independent and third party testing of the farm, has resulted in a kill order, which was stayed awhile back but it does look like they want to kill the ostriches perhaps as soon as this weekend.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1963042034761269685

https://twitter.com/x/status/1969166253483827558

Bret Weinstein's own commentary:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1968004053251797078

 

[meadow_wind]

Canada Post is on strike again since yesterday sept 26

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/canada-post-strike-1.7644251

Canada Post operations not ‘viable,’ Carney says amid strike action - National | Globalnews.ca

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada Post is losing $10 million a day and must change to be viable. The post office's striking union says that demand will cripple the service.

globalnews.ca

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Concerning Social Media crackdown, I've been on Facebook since 2008 and never did this happen: since last week, I can't post ads on Marketplace unless I prove my identity by uploading an official ID, such as a Driver's license or passport

 

[unkl brws]

Canada Post is on strike again since yesterday sept 26

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/canada-post-strike-1.7644251

Canada Post operations not ‘viable,’ Carney says amid strike action - National | Globalnews.ca

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada Post is losing $10 million a day and must change to be viable. The post office's striking union says that demand will cripple the service.

globalnews.ca

Another historic Canadian institution that looks like it's going extinct. This does something negative to the collective conscious of this country (osit). It does need a major overhaul, though. I had my passport renewed last winter and when Passport Canada sent me the new one through the mail, Canada Post promptly lost it somewhere and couldn't find it! I don't know how that could happen unless it was stolen. Passport Canada issued me a new one right away and suggested I pick it up at the nearest passport office and not use the post office.

 

[meadow_wind]

Some Quebec journalists (Radio X) are digging into this and sounding the alarm:

Bill C-2

Government Bill (House of Commons) C-2 (45-1) - First Reading - Strong Borders Act - Parliament of Canada

Government Bill (House of Commons) C-2 (45-1) - First Reading - Strong Borders Act - Parliament of Canada

www.parl.ca

Stop Bill C-2: An attack on human rights, migrant and refugee rights and the privacy rights of everyone

The federal government has introduced Bill C-2, the so-called Strong Borders Act, which is an attack on human rights, migrant and refugee rights, and the privacy rights of everyone who lives in Canada. With this bill, the Carney Liberals are letting Donald Trump write Canadian domestic policy...

cupe.ca

Bill C-2 would enable mass public surveillance. It would allow police and CSIS to demand access to your online activities with any business or digital service based on “reasonable suspicion” without a warrant. This would undermine years of legal decisions that safeguard the public. Trade unionists and activists know how surveillance can be used in attempts to limit labour and social movement fights for justice.



Bill C-9

Government Bill (House of Commons) C-9 (45-1) - First Reading - Combatting Hate Act - Parliament of Canada

Government Bill (House of Commons) C-9 (45-1) - First Reading - Combatting Hate Act - Parliament of Canada

www.parl.ca

I'm unable to get this one in English. You might want to use a page translator:

Projet De Loi C-9 : Ce Que Change La « Loi Anti-haine » Au Canada – PiluleRouge.ca

Le gouvernement fédéral canadien frappe fort avec son projet de loi C-9, surnommé la « Loi visant à lutter contre la haine », déposé en première lecture le 19

pilulerouge.ca

Here's the translation:

The Canadian federal government is striking hard with its Bill C-9, dubbed the "Combating Hate Act," which will be tabled for first reading on September 19, 2025. This legislative initiative by the Minister of Justice shakes up the rules of the game when it comes to hate propaganda and could well redefine the limits of freedom of expression in Canada.


A legal revolution in five points
Bill C-9 radically transforms the Criminal Code in five major areas. First, it abolishes the requirement for prior consent from the Attorney General to prosecute hate propaganda offenses, thus removing an administrative filter that has existed for decades. Second, the bill criminalizes "the display in a public place of certain symbols" intended to "willfully promote hatred against an identifiable group."

The bill also creates a new category of "hate crime" for any federal offense "motivated by hatred based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, color, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression." It also establishes specific offenses for intimidation and obstruction of access to places of worship, educational institutions, and cemeteries.

Prohibited Symbols Face Increased Sentences
The bill specifically targets three categories of symbols: those "primarily used by a listed entity" within the meaning of the Anti-Terrorism Act, "the swastika or [the SS runes]," and any symbol "so similar" that it could be "confusing" with the above-mentioned symbols. Offenders face up to two years' imprisonment for the indictable offence.

The maximum penalties increase when the offense is classified as a "hate crime": five years, ten years, fourteen years, or up to life imprisonment, depending on the seriousness of the original offense.

Legitimate Defenses Under the Microscope
The legislature nevertheless provides certain exceptions for "a legitimate purpose, including a purpose related to journalism, religion, education, or the arts and not contrary to the public interest." The bill also authorizes the display of symbols "in good faith for the purpose of drawing attention, so that it may be remedied, to matters provoking or likely to provoke feelings of hatred."

A crucial clarification stipulates that "the communication of statements does not incite or foment hatred solely because it discredits, humiliates, hurts, or offends." This nuance could prove decisive for political, religious, or social criticism.

A Restrictive Definition of Hate
The bill specifically defines hatred as "a feeling stronger than disdain or aversion and involving detestation or denigration." This technical definition apparently aims to distinguish criminal hatred from simple disagreement or criticism, but its practical application remains to be demonstrated in court.

Gray Areas of Concern
Several aspects of the bill raise thorny questions. First, the abolition of the Attorney General's consent may facilitate some potentially abusive private prosecutions, removing a filtering mechanism that prevented show trials. However, a judge and the prosecutor can still block abusive cases. Second, the notion of a symbol "so similar" that it could be "confusing" with proscribed symbols introduces a troubling subjectivity into the application of the law and risks leading to debates over borderline cases.

The expression "not contrary to the public interest" for journalistic, artistic, and educational exceptions remains vague and could give the courts considerable room for interpretation. Similarly, the assessment of "good faith" in the display of symbols for critical purposes risks creating an area of legal uncertainty.

A draft still far from the goal
Bill C-9 was just introduced on September 19, 2025. It is still only a draft—not a law. It must now go through the entire parliamentary process before becoming a reality, which could take months.

The provision stating that it will come into force "on the thirtieth day after the day on which it receives royal assent" will only apply after final adoption by Parliament and the Senate. In the meantime, there will be time to debate this controversial reform.

Bill C-9 represents a potential turning point in the balance between protection against hatred and freedom of expression. Upcoming parliamentary debates will determine whether this legislation will be adopted, amended, or rejected. It remains to be seen how this ambitious bill will evolve in light of the constitutional issues and concerns it already raises.