Check It Out: Getting back on the road

By Joan Janzen

The entire world, including Russia, was watching the freedom convoys, when Putin declared war on Ukraine. I’ve listened to disheartened Russian civilians say the timing wasn’t coincidental, as media turned its attention towards Ukraine. The transition to focusing in that direction is understandable, yet Canadians can’t afford to completely avert our attention from what is taking place on the home front.

In a National Post article, Pierre Poilievre explained how Canada could be of assistance, but it wouldn’t happen immediately. While Europe is filling Putin’s war chest by buying Russian oil and gas, Canada has all the energy Europe needs.

An article in the Financial Post explained that Canada has no LNG export terminals on either coast, partly due to regulations that delay projects for years. However the good news, according to Poilievre, is the fast-tracking of proposed projects across our nation would liquefy and ship natural gas from the east coast to Europe, so it could stand up to Putin, rather than fund him.

Meanwhile Julia and Max Belousov in the Ukraine have opened up their church to refugees, who are coming from all directions. The church is located in the heart of Ukraine. When they purchased the 72-year-old building, they had no idea they would be using the huge bomb shelter located underneath the building.

After air raid sirens go off, police patrolling the area are grateful to have a shelter to direct people into. Julia and Max received word from a military officer expressing appreciation for what they were doing at the church. The officer said “Your help and prayers are the last line of our defence and the first line of our victory.”

Julia said, they give refugees and the police hot food, shelter and pray for them. “We do what we can.”

Meanwhile good will is evident in Canada in the most unlikely situations; a CBC crew van slid into a ditch in Ontario and was rescued by a truck driver participating in the Freedom Convoy. “A demonstrator wearing a ‘defund the CBC’ hat pulled us out knowing we were CBC journalists,” the CBC reporter said on social media. “He said he’d never leave anyone stuck like that.”

The leader of the Christian Heritage Party responded, saying, “Canada is in the ditch right now. We need to all work together to get back on the road.”

Getting back on the road, also involves watching the sign posts along the way. Although the world has moved on to the next crisis, signs indicate Trudeau’s sudden rescinding of the Emergency Act may have been influenced by the Canadian Banking Association. After 210 bank accounts were frozen ($7.8 million), many Canadians withdrew funds from their accounts. Because of the recent freezing of accounts, Canadians may pose legitimate questions regarding the Canadian Banking Association’s long-time plans to introduce a Digital ID. Developed in conjunction with banks, telecommunications, law enforcement and government, it would have the power to store every Canadian’s identity.

Another sign post to take note of is Bill S-233, now in its second reading. If passed, a guaranteed livable basic income would be developed for everyone in Canada over 17. This bill would magnify government intervention and control over personal finances, when most Canadians just want to work and earn a healthy living.

Yes, Canada needs to help the people in Ukraine, but we cannot afford to become completely preoccupied, and slip off into a ditch on the home front. We really do need to work together, and make our voices heard. We need to be willing to lend a hand, pull someone out of the ditch because we’d never leave anyone stuck like that.

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