One set of rules for people and causes the state likes, and another for ones it doesn’t
Someone is going to get killed. It’s what happens when you abandon the rule of law. And as increasingly aggressive, openly antisemitic protests roil our cities, we now have video footage of a masked menace telling someone “I’ll put you six feet deep” in front of police officers who, after long sociological cogitation, declared it totally cool. And the “such things have no place in Canada” crowd seem to agree.
Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.
Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Don't have an account? Create Account
The Toronto Police Association put out a belated mealy-mouthed excuse for a statement including “The victim chose not to pursue the matter.” As was immediately pointed out, it’s not up to the victim to determine whether charges are laid in serious matters. Such a system would give carte blanche to criminals able to intimidate witnesses, including the mafia. But in any case, violence is an offence against the public. Thus it’s not the victim but “the Crown” that prosecutes. Or doesn’t, in this case, because apparently the perpetrator’s cause was righteous.
Back when the Emergencies Act was invoked many of us warned it set a terrible precedent. And not primarily of heavy-handed crushing of protest. In a country where public order is protected lightly and reluctantly, or for that matter sternly and quickly or even sternly but belatedly, you still have the rule of law. The big danger was we’d get one set of rules for people and causes the state likes, and another for ones it doesn’t.
As we asked in real time, what happens next time an environmental, Aboriginal or other progressive protest blocks infrastructure, disrupts traffic or makes noise? We didn’t foresee “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” But otherwise exactly what we feared has happened.
Remember, after the Keystone Kops failed to enforce parking and nuisance laws with existing powers, the feds declared Canada’s version of martial law and crushed the “Freedom Convoy” with riot cops on horseback, imported officers in old-style military green, and pepper spray. Even though no violence was committed or threatened, no weapons were found, and the protesters loved Canada and its traditional liberties even if they were sometimes addled and annoying.
COVID-restriction protesters also found the police remarkably quick to strike hard. And like Tamara Lich, many were then subjected to classic “process as punishment” legal proceedings that drag on for years and leave you exhausted and bankrupt even if you win. Well, now what?
Pro-Hamas protests have been permitted to block traffic, close stores and frighten patrons and owners, and vandalize property. And now we have explicit death threats in front of inert useless cops. Which alienates decent citizens without winning over thugs wrecking kids’ visits to Santa.
People like our prime minister don’t think in terms of precedents and incentives because they are convinced their sublime moral excellence lets them cut through small-minded procedures and dispense true justice provided they’re not tied down by petty concerns like the “rule of law”. As Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin once burbled, “My job is simply to listen to what the parties have to say, and to do my best to understand the position, the ramifications of deciding one way or the other, to think about what’s best for Canadian society on this particular problem that’s before us.”
Not about what the law says, or precedent, or those silly old individual rights. “What’s best for Canadian society on this particular problem.” Judges are social engineers, and police are sociologists with sidearms. Death to Jews.
Sorry. Don’t know how that got in there. But it did. Especially given the recent arrest of a “minor” in Ottawa for “terrorism- and explosive-related charges targeting Jewish people.” In a classic touch, the National Post reported, “The youth’s father told Global News that he had warned his son to stay clear of extremists and had sent him to consult with an imam.” Those wacky kids, right? But where do they get these ideas?
Oh. “The outlet also reported that a Facebook page that appeared to belong to the suspect’s father contained several derogatory posts about Jews and Zionists in Arabic, including one that called to get rid of all Israelis.” And did anyone check the imam’s feed? Or would that be “Islamophobic” like, say, prosecuting someone for proud public death threats?
Don’t ask our deputy prime minister, who tweeted Monday, “Today, I spent some time listening to Muslim community leaders from the Toronto Islamic Centre in #UniRose. The rise in Islamophobic hate crimes has left many Muslim Canadians feeling unsafe. It is unacceptable. Islamophobia has no place in Canada — or anywhere.”
As for bomb plots against Jews or public death threats, well um uh see you have to contextualize it like an Ivy League university president steeped in critical race theory. Occupation colonizer resistance to oppression blah blah blah.
Someone is going to get killed.
National Post
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.
What to consider before buying a blender
Top deals in beauty, home, tech, fashion and more
Why I loved travelling Europe with a tour group, plus all the highlights
Justin Louis taps into art, fashion and history to create his fashion designs.
Last-minute holiday gifts ready to deliver. No need to worry about shipping
login
who are we?
contact us
qosheapp
Toi Staff
Gideon Levy
Belen Fernandez
Andrew Mitrovica
Mort Laitner
Nikkei Editorial
Ali Fathollah-Nejad
Rami G Khouri
visit website
