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Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the argument has often been made that people are perfectly capable of making an informed decision about risk for themselves and their families.
I disagree.
Try refreshing your browser, or VEZINA: To understand the concept of risk, you need knowledge Back to video
Certainly, people can make decisions, but that does not automatically mean they will be the right ones and it definitely does not mean they will always be informed ones.
There are three underlying assumptions in the assertion that people can decide on risks for themselves which are problematic.
First, that the average person has a sufficient understanding of risk to make the correct decision when faced with a particular issue.
Author of the article: Alex Vezina
Publishing date: May 12, 2021 • May 13, 2021 • 3 minute read • York Regional Police Const. Chris Vandenbos and Toronto Police Sgt. Julie Evans, who are among the 15 active officers and four retirees taking the government and their police forces to court, stand in front of the Charter of Rights in Toronto on May 3, 2021. Photo by Joe Warmington /Toronto Sun
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Some people believe Canada has become a police state as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
At least that’s the claim being made in response to some police forces across Canada selectively enforcing COVID-19 rules.
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“It’s not what we signed up for,” said Evans. “Imagine watching daily your colleagues do that and try and put that same uniform on.”
These cops say they want to help people like her. Not fight her.
As a police officer for two decades, Boltyansky served foreign tours in Afghanistan and Ukraine but says it’s the stress now that is worse. “Right now I feel broken,” he said.
Our society is broken. The mental stress levels have never been higher.
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It’s heartbreaking because these officers are good people with great careers. I’d rather find a way for them to continue those instead of being out of sorts with equally as exceptional superiors who have their own pressures to bear.
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Hand in your badges.
Freedom of expression is one thing, but this small group of Ontario police officers has just launched a truly wacky and disturbing Charter challenge to the current COVID-19 emergency act measures they are sworn to enforce.
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Try refreshing your browser, or MANDEL: Shameful police lawsuit against COVID-19 restrictions Back to video
Disagreement with government action is perfectly legal, of course. But not only are they challenging the law, they’ve based it on a cocktail of anti-lockdown, anti-vax, anti-mask, anti-science drivel that is alarming coming from public servants we employ.