Enough is enough

As a Canadian, and especially as a labour leader, I am proud of, and grateful for, the ability we are all afforded under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to make our voices heard: to protest peacefully and to speak truth to power in a way that enriches our democracy.

What I have seen over the past two weeks in Ottawa, and now elsewhere, is not that.

We’ve seen symbols of anti-Black racism and antisemitism. We’ve seen threats of violence against both elected officials and private citizens, and reports of assault and disgusting acts of hate. We’ve seen businesses that have bent over backward to stay afloat during the pandemic now forced to close their doors because it is the only way to keep their employees safe.

The protestors’ so-called defence of freedom would be ironic if it weren’t so disturbing. At every turn, they are the ones who are trampling the freedoms of Canadians—the freedom to work, learn, and live peacefully in their homes, the freedom to protect their health as they see fit, and the freedom to move about without fear in their own communities.

The past two years have been difficult beyond imagination for all of us—including for those who have bravely reported to work outside their home, those who have balanced work with caregiving responsibilities, those who have endured loneliness and isolation, and those who have health conditions that make this pandemic more perilous.

We are all tired and we are all frustrated. But there is no justifiable excuse for a small—albeit loud—group to vent their own anger on an innocent public.

One thing that has consistently inspired me during the darkest moments of this pandemic is how hard Ontarians have worked to keep our province functioning.

I am reminded of that now. I am especially proud of the public servants I represent—all of you. You have worked hard to ensure that government policy has been implemented smoothly and that all people in Ontario have access to the services they need. I know the same can be said of our colleagues at the federal and municipal levels as well.

I’m also grateful to the workers in the private sector, especially those in essential businesses and retail, who have helped ensure Ontarians have access to the goods they need to stay fed, safe, and to find a little joy or leisure in this difficult time.

These hard-working people, and their friends and family, who have already endured so much, deserve to have their peace, their freedoms, and their communities back.

Enough is enough.

Dave Bulmer
President & CEO