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Even tapping upon seemingly each authorities worker with a uniform isn’t sufficient for Premier Pallister’s new inflexible lockdown. The federal government introduced they signed a $1 million contract with non-public safety agency G4S to supply as much as 90 non-public officers to implement the lockdown measures.
Calling in a non-public police pressure to ticket residents for consuming turkey dinners will not be even the weirdest a part of the brand new lockdown. On November 19, Premier Pallister primarily banned Christmas buying.
The brand new lockdown measure states that retail companies could open, however could solely promote important gadgets from a authorities authorised checklist. Companies that promote meals, remedy, outside winter clothes, liquor and private care or child gadgets are allowed to remain open. However non-essential gadgets like books, toys, and sporting tools have to be faraway from retailer cabinets or the aisles roped off.
It is going to be information to most consumers that COVID lurks amongst pokemon playing cards and hockey skates, however mittens and milk are secure.
The Constitution protects the proper to freedom of meeting and freedom of affiliation. Whereas authorities motion can impose “cheap limits” on these rights, this specific restrict seems arbitrary and political.
As the federal government lockdown turns into extra political and arbitrary, it loses its rationale for limiting residents’ rights, and loses the assist of the general public. This can in the end undermine the general public well being objectives that the Premier is attempting to realize. This lockdown has jumped the shark, and the federal government must rethink these measures.
Christine Van Geyn is Litigation Director for the Canadian Structure Basis.