When I was in the 1991 Soviet Union, covering the Baltic States’ courageous fight for independence, for the Dallas Morning News, never did I ever think that in my lifetime I would one day live in Small Town Ontario, where some 15 million people would be in a province-wide LOCKDOWN with government-imposed restrictions arguably more draconian than anywhere else in North America.
Back in the day, Russian soldiers had taken over most parliament buildings in Vilnius, Lithuania, and many media outlets, including local television stations.
Back to present day Ontario and ‘Conservative’ Premier Doug Ford’s continuing, destructive draconian lockdowns
A vivid memory from that trip was when I called asking to interview the soldiers hunkered down in a nearby local television station. The interview was turned down until they were offered American whisky and cigarettes. During the interview, the Russian occupiers raved and ranted on about their sworn hatred of all things American.
My rejoinder: “But not American whisky and cigarettes”, after a brief and uncomfortable pause, actually brought a couple of laughs from some of those who spoke English.
Back to present day Ontario and ‘Conservative’ Premier Doug Ford’s continuing, destructive draconian lockdowns.
Imperious Ford shut down Ontario for the second time on Boxing Day, 2020, after having walked back an intended Christmas Eve Lockdown. It should go without saying that Boxing Day is a prime time with Retail counting on sales. The third Lockdown came on Easter Saturday, another big day when businesses count on annual retail sales.
In this, the 3rd extended Lockdown, small business will be allowed to reopen sometime in July—at 15% occupancy—with the provincial government never mentioning that thousands of them will already be bankrupt by then.
In other words, Ontario’s Reopening Plan is contingent upon the level of Covid-19 vaccinations of its own citizenry.
With picnic tables and benches now having been completely removed, signs have sprung up in all parks in the small town that Canada Free Press (CFP) calls home reading: ‘DO NOT CONGREGATE!’ with one neon sign on a well-trafficked main road, reading ‘’LEARN HOW TO PHYSICALLY DISTANCE!’
Churches will be closed until August
According to the entrenched Diktats of Premier Ford’s absurd Reopening Ontario Plan, churches will be closed until August.
As Catholic blogger, David Domet points out: (Vox Cantoris, May 21, 2021)
“It is important to note that currently one can go and purchase liquor and marijuana but no other non-essential items and cannot attend religious services. Further, the first phase of 60% (Vaccinated)/21 Days reopens all non-essential retail at 15% occupancy but still, the church is limited to ten persons. At the second level, 70%(Vaccinated)/25% (Fully Vaccinated), the attendance will be limited to 15% in church and 50% in retail.”
With reports that the pandemic is on the decline coming in from the country next door, despondent Ontarians, many with relatives teetering on bankruptcy are asking: “WHY?” is Ford extending Ontario’s third shutdown.
I ardently believe it’s because we voted in the wrong crass politician.
Ford got to be a crass politician in the rat’s nest known as Toronto City Council.
He traded on the Ford Nation popularity of his late brother Rob, once Toronto’s most beloved mayor.
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Unlike his flip-flopping imperious brother, Doug, Rob had a heart of gold
I am proud to say that Rob was a personal friend. From firsthand experience, I can honestly say that as a councillor, Rob was tormented by council’s radical left members long before the media attacked his personal appearance and habits.
Before Rob Ford was elected as mayor, he was the most reviled and hated councillor—all for refusing to waste the tax dollars of the folk who elected him as an Etobicoke councillor.
Unlike his flip-flopping imperious brother, Doug, Rob had a heart of gold—and never in his brief tortured life ever turned a taxpayer down, who wanted to see him—even if they were residents of wards other than his own.
As someone who knew him, beyond having covered him as a Toronto city councillor, Rob—God rest his soul—must be spinning in his grave about where his brother is taking Ontario.
Meanwhile, I didn’t return to Ontario from Russia, but returned home to what was soon to become just another failed Communist state.
For all of his failings, Rob Ford will be remembered with love by the many who voted him in as mayor.
His brother will be remembered as the former city councillor who bankrupted Ontario—all by becoming premier.
Hold on, Ontario, this can’t possibly last forever.
Judi McLeod——Bio and Archives
-- Judi McLeod, Founder, Owner and Editor of Canada Free Press, is an award-winning journalist with more than 30 years’ experience in the print and online media. A former Toronto Sun columnist, she also worked for the Kingston Whig Standard. Her work has appeared throughout the ‘Net, including on Rush Limbaugh and Fox News.
When I was in the 1991 Soviet Union, covering the Baltic States’ courageous fight for independence, for the Dallas Morning News, never did I ever think that in my lifetime I would one day live in Small Town Ontario, where some 15 million people would be in a province-wide LOCKDOWN with government-imposed restrictions arguably more draconian than anywhere else in North America.
Back in the day, Russian soldiers had taken over most parliament buildings in Vilnius, Lithuania, and many media outlets, including local television stations.
