My Take | Unlike the Hong Kong protesters, Canadian truckers know when to stop
- Justin Trudeau has rightly imposed a state of emergency, something Carrie Lam should have done in the violence that still broke out despite her shelving the extradition bill
Many “blue” or pro-Beijing commentators have expressed a deep sense of schadenfreude about the “Freedom Convoy” in Canada that has inspired similar protests in several other countries against Covid-19 mandates. They still, understandably, harbour a grudge against the government of Justin Trudeau, which was among Western countries that condemned the responses of the Hong Kong police and government while ignoring the violence and riots in 2019.
“Now the shoe is on the other foot,” they say, “let’s see how you like it.” A common criticism is that Ottawa, and then the provincial government of Ontario, have been so quick to declare a state of emergency after the truckers began peaceful if rowdy demonstrations triggered by mandatory vaccinations imposed by the Canadian federal government in the middle of last month.
I am a Chinese-Hong Kong-Canadian, and I am no fan of Trudeau or Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor. But compared to the Hong Kong government, the local opposition, and the protesters and rioters of 2019, I would say Canadians have put Hongkongers to shame in all three political categories.
The truckers and their supporters have actually achieved their goal, not completely but to a great and reasonable extent. Several provinces are ready to reverse or end Covid-19 mandates and restrictions by next month. Protesting truckers have forced out Erin O’Toole, the former leader of the Conservative Party and main opposition party.
As famed conservative commentator and psychologist Jordan Peterson said: “You protesters have accomplished an awful lot already. The conservative leadership has crumbled. Erin O’Toole has been replaced by someone who is giving a fair bit of voice to your concerns.
“All the people you represent have a voice in the House of Commons. You have four provinces that have moved quite precipitously in the direction that the protest was hoping for. They are starting to lift mask mandates on something approximating as reasonable a timeline as might be expected under the circumstances.”