Canada Unity
The day was February 14th, 2022. On this day for love, I went downtown to talk to the truckers. I met there one of the organizers of the convoy protest, Sandra Collins Bauder. She and I spoke briefly before meeting up with her husband and co-organizer James Bauder. Here is the record of our conversation:
Me: “Hello, bonjour, sorry to bother you, sir. I’m looking for one of the organisers of Canada Unity. I was told that they would be down Bank here.”
Man: “I ain’t tellin’ the fake news media nothin’, okay? I already told one of you liars to fuck off, so fuck off.”
Me: “Sir, no, I’m not with the media. I’m a citizen journalist. I’m just trying to figure out why you are all here and how your plan is going. That’s all.”
Man: “You’re one of the good guys? Are you on our side?”
Me: “I’m just trying to get to the truth. Do you think that the pursuit of truth is good?”
Man: “No, yeah, definitely, definitely. Okay, yeah. Uhh… I saw Sandy over there. She’s always with James, so you should find ‘em both down that a way, I think.”
Me: “Thank you so much.”
Man: “Hold the line! Honk honk!”
Me: “Uh, yeah. Take care.”
___________________________
Me: “Hi, yeah, are you Sandra Bauder? I was told she and her husband James would be down here.”
Woman: “No dear, but she’s right over there. I’ll call her up here. Sandy! Hey, Sandy! I have a girl here lookin’ for ya!”
Sandra: “I’ll be right there! Thank you, Jamie!”
Me: “Thanks for coming to talk to me here. You’re Sandra Bauder, correct?”
Sandra: “You got it, girlie! How can I help you?”
Me: “Yeah, I just wanted to ask you a few questions about the convoy protest and your organization, Canada Unity. Is that okay?”
Sandra: “Hold on, girlie. I’ve already told your boss that I won’t be talking to the mainstream media. You guys are liars. You are not telling the truth about our protest and…”
Me: “No, no, sorry, I’m not with the media. My name is Sophie Minette-Gregoire. You can look me up. I’m a citizen journalist. I live in Ottawa and I’m unaffiliated with any media organization. I just want to try to get to the truth here about your protest, about why you’re here and how you think it’s been going. Is that okay?”
Sandra: “You should have started with that! Sorry to have been so coarse; you know how it is: the elites that control this country are always harassing us, trying to twist our words to further divide Canadians. It’s shameful. Shameful.”
Me: “That’s exactly why I’m here. You see photos circulating online of Nazi flags or Confederate flags, or memes with trucks running over Trudeau and so on, so I wanted to come down here to hear from the horse’s mouth what you guys are actually standing for. I hope you can understand.”
Sandra: “Thank you! There are so few good journalists out there. They all seem to just want to divide Canadians against each other for their profits and their agenda. I’m so glad you’ve had the courage to come talk to us instead of believing all those slanders that have been made against us.”
Me: “Of course, of course. If I could just ask you a few questions to help everyone in Ottawa and elsewhere understand where you’re coming from, I would greatly appreciate it.”
Sandra: “Ask away, my dear!”
Me: “Yes, so is there anything, first of all, that you would like Ottawans like myself to know about your protest? You can understand, of course, that they are not especially happy with all the horns and the traffic congestion. The Rideau Centre, as I’m sure you know, has been closed for two weeks now, and many other businesses in Centretown remain closed too. So what would you like to say to Ottawans who are frustrated with this protest?”
Sandra: “Thank you! This is a beautiful question! I want to tell them that they have nothing to fear. We are leading a peaceful protest. There is no reason for the Rideau Centre or other businesses to be closed. They are not only welcome to open, but they would see a boost in business from the truckers! And as you can hear, the honking has mostly stopped. We all want to respect our Ottawa neighbours and the law here. But we also want to make our voices heard too. The Trudeau Socialists all supported those BLM protests where they burned down buildings and those Native protests where they burned down churches, but they don’t respect us. The people of Ottawa see this double standard and they support us. They know that we need to make noise to be heard. Isn’t that was AOC said? Socialists want their causes to be heard but when protests that support the freedom of all Canadians make noise, they want them silenced. The people of Ottawa know that this is wrong, and that’s why they support us. Like all Canadians, they want unity. They want to put an end to division and diversity and come together as a nation so we can get back to normal and get on with our lives.”
Me: “The Ottawans I have spoken too don’t appear to sympathize as much as you think they do with your protest. But don’t mind…”
Sandra: “They do. I hear from people here all the time how much they support us. Are you sure you’re not from the mainstream media?”
Me: “I’m not. I just live in Ottawa. But like I was saying, it doesn’t matter how many people support your cause or not…”
Sandra: “The majority of real Canadians support us.”
Me: “Yes, of course. I don’t have any numbers here. I just want to ask you what you’re fighting for here. You say that you’re fighting for the freedom of all Canadians, right? And you say that Canadians want unity? What do you mean by this?”
Sandra: “Canada is governed by a document called the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Trudeau Administration has been violating Canadians’ rights with their unnecessary mandates. We came to Ottawa to tell Trudeau that Canadians have had enough of these restrictions on our freedom. It’s time to get back to normal and to stop forcing people to get a dangerous and unnecessary vaccine. Canadians are tired of Trudeau’s games. We’re tired of the division. We want to come together as a country to move forward and get our lives back. This is why we started Canada Unity and this is why we’re here in Ottawa.”
Me: “So you want unity. What do you mean by this? How do you think we can achieve unity?”
Sandra: “All Canadians want unity. Trudeau is trying to divide us so he can keep control and take away our freedoms. We’ve had enough. Canadians need to stand up and stop him. And many of them are afraid. They know that disagreeing with Trudeau could get your rights taken away. They can get their Facebook account taken down. They can be put in jail or fined. But there are more of us than there are of them, and when we stand together, we can win. We can stop Trudeau and his liberal lap dogs from taking away our freedom. That’s why we’re here. We are peacefully protesting to love and inspire all Canadians to let go of the fear and stand with us against Trudeau’s efforts to divide us. Because we know that it was apathy and indifference that lets dictators rise to power, and we will not let that happen here.”
Me: “Absolutely, yes, of course, but I just want to know what you mean by ‘unity.’ I just want to get clear for Ottawans what your message is. They are reasonable people, believe me, so they will understand your protest if you can state clearly what it is you’re protesting for.”
Sandra: “I don’t know what you’re asking. Every Canadian knows what ‘unity’ means, and that’s why we all want it.”
Me: “Let me explain then. You say that all Canadians stand against Trudeau’s efforts to divide us, right? But the Trudeau government has won the last three elections with around 33% of the vote. So clearly not all Canadians stand against Trudeau’s efforts to divide us.”
Sandra: “No, no, that number is too high. I don’t believe that at all. Some people may have fallen for Trudeau’s tricks, but he stole that election and that’s why what we’re doing here is so important. We want all Canadians to come together. We’re going to inspire a national movement. We’re going to inspire an international movement for unity.”
Me: “Okay. Consider it this way, then: what do you think all Canadians want? What does ‘unity’ mean to you? What happens when this national or international movement materializes?”
Sandra: “What happens is peace. Canadians stop fighting and get on with their lives like we used to before Trudeau came in with this fake pandemic and his restrictions and mandates. This is what we all want.”
Me: “So ‘unity’ means ‘the resolution of disagreement’? Is that what you mean?”
Sandra: “You got it, girl. That’s exactly what I mean. That’s what our protest aims to do here. We want to stand up to Trudeau’s divisive rhetoric and show Canadians that they all want the same thing.”
Me: “I’m glad I can help, then! This is what I want too! I want everyone to see the truth about the convoy protest. So how do you think you’re protest is doing? Are you successful so far?”
Sandra: “We’re doing so well! We’ve gotten our message out, I think, and the people of Ottawa are really welcoming us into their city. I only worry about the mainstream media. They’re twisting our message, trying to say that we’re trying to overthrow the government, that we’re racist, that we’re violent. None of this is true.”
Me: “So you think unity depends upon getting your message out honestly? You think that the media is lying about your protest? Is that correct?”
Sandra: “They are! No one who knows what we’re doing here has said that this protest is violent or that we’re racists. It’s just not true.”
Me: “Right, right, Is it correct to say, then, that you are trying to educate Canadians with this protest?”
Sandra: “Exactly! We are trying to wake them up so they can see what Trudeau is doing to this country!”
Me: “Oh, believe me: you’ve woken up many an Ottawan! But tell me, do you think that unity depends upon knowing the truth? Or is it enough just to believe the same things?”
Sandra: “What do you mean? What’s the difference?”
Me: “Suppose the media succeeded at twisting around your message and everyone, even you, came to believe that this protest was wrong, that you were—accidentally, of course—being racist or anti-democratic. This of course wouldn’t be true, would it? But if everyone believed the same thing, would they be united in the way you want? Would this be unity?”
Sandra: “No! That’s not unity at all! God, I pray that you do not let this happen, please! Unity requires the truth!”
Me: “Good, good, yes. So Canadians all desire unity, and that means that they desire to all know the truth. Is this correct?”
Sandra: “Yes, exactly.”
Me: “And do you think that all Canadians know the truth already?”
Sandra: “The truth about what?”
Me: “You tell me. What is the truth you are trying to reveal to people with your protest?”
Sandra: “I want to tell people that we’re all the same. I want to tell them that we all want the same things, and no to listen to Trudeau’s efforts to divide us.”
Me: “But are we all the same? Do you think it’s possible to reasonably disagree about the direction our country is headed?”
Sandra: “No? What do you mean? What is there to disagree about in what I said?”
Me: “People disagree about policy all the time. The policies the vegan promotes directly harm the aims of the cattle farmer and vice versa, for example. There are a lot of people, as well, who genuinely want to reduce our carbon footprint and so want to impose carbon taxes and stop the construction of new pipelines. And there are of course others who don’t think that climate change is a bigger problem than the economic impacts of the carbon tax. Do you think that this is a reasonable disagreement?”
Sandra: “No, no, not at all! But that’s also not what I’m talking about right now. This protest isn’t about that!”
Me: “So what is it about this time? I remember you coming to Ottawa with a convoy a few years ago trying to support pipelines. This protest is different, but you were talking then about unity too, weren’t you?”
Sandra: “We were, yes, but now it’s more urgent. Trudeau has suffocated us with his lockdowns for two years now, and Canadians need to know the truth about them.”
Me: “Okay. Let me get this right. You believe that covid restrictions are unjust, is that correct? That’s the truth you want to persuade others about with your protest?”
Sandra: “Yes, exactly.”
Me: “And you don’t think it’s possible to reasonably disagree about this at all?”
Sandra: “It’s not possible.”
Me: “So what do you say to the cancer patient who has had their surgery delayed because the hospitals have been overrun with covid patients? What do you say to the person with asthma who might die if they catch covid? Or what about the immunocompromised person who might not be able to fight off a covid infection? Are these people not able to reasonably disagree about the justice of covid restrictions?”
Sandra: “No, I don’t think so. Those people can be afraid to go outside, but their fears should not affect what I can and cannot do.”
Me: “Don’t you think some fears are reasonable? You said earlier that Canadians were afraid of what Trudeau might do if they spoke out against him. Is this not reasonable?”
Sandra: “Well, yeah, because that kind of thing actually happens.”
Me: “But people die every day of covid infections. That happens too. Is it not a reasonable fear?”
Sandra: “The only people who die have other underlying conditions. It’s not a serious threat. Most people survive.”
Me: “What about those people who have those underlying conditions, though? I mentioned the cancer patient and the person with asthma or the immunocompromised person. Are their fears unreasonable?”
Sandra: “I guess not.”
Me: “And suppose that covid restrictions would help save their lives. Would their disagreement about your policy recommendations not be reasonable?”
Sandra: “Well, no, because that’s not what this protest is about! It’s unfortunate that they might die, yes, but my freedom can’t be restricted just to give them some comfort. There’s nothing we can do for them anymore. Covid is here to stay. And they have to agree about that. We all agree as Canadians that our freedoms are necessary. This is what the Charter of Rights and Freedoms says. And covid restrictions are unconstitutional. They are against our freedoms.”
Me: “Okay. Let me get this straight then. Unity isn’t about knowing everything, but only knowing the value of freedom? Is that right?”
Sandra: “And love. That’s what we all want. We all want our freedoms and the ability to love one another. This is unity.”
Me: “And it’s not possible to reasonably disagree about this? Do you think the cancer patient feels loved? Do you think that the cancer patient has their freedom restricted when governments lift restrictions?”
Sandra: “Yeah, no, not at all.”
Me: “Okay. I understand. So your protest is trying to wake people up to the value of freedom and love for the majority of Canadians? Is that correct?”
Sandra: “Exactly. You got it, girl.”
Me: “And because it’s not possible to reasonably disagree about this, you are using this protest to illustrate the value of freedom and love? Is this correct?”
Sandra: “Yes.”
Me: “This is what confuses me, though, because so many people are unclear about what your protest is for. Do you have any idea why this is?”
Sandra: “Because Trudeau and the mainstream media are slandering us to the majority of Canadians.”
Me: “Have you spoken to the media at all?”
Sandra: “Absolutely not! They would only selectively edit and twist our words!”
Me: “But don’t you think the majority of Canadians are reasonable people? Don’t you think they would recognise when your words are selectively edited?”
Sandra: “Canadians are reasonable people. We are reaching a turning point. Mark my words.”
Me: “I don’t doubt it. Something will have to change. My worry here is that by avoiding the media altogether, you lose out on the support of the reasonable majority. Don’t you think? If it’s impossible to reasonably disagree, what’s the worry?”
Sandra: “I, uh… I don’t know. I just don’t trust them, okay?”
Me: “You don’t have to trust them. You just have to use them. Isn’t that…”
James: “Sandy! I’m back! The interview went great. But listen: there are rumours that Trudeau is going to invoke the Emergencies Act after all, and we need to put out a call for reinforcements to fight back against Trudeau’s minions. We need to go, now. Oh, sorry, how rude of me. What have you been doing? I hope you’re doing okay.”
Sandra: “I’ve just been talking to this fine young lady. She’s been trying to help us get the message out.”
James: “Wonderful! This is great news! Welcome aboard… uh… sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”
Me: “Sophie. I’m a citizen journalist. I was just asking Sandra, here, about unity. That’s your goal, isn’t it?”
James: “It is! And I’m sure she told you all about it. My wife’s so smart, isn’t she?”
Me: “Absolutely. Anyhow, I was just telling her that it might actually be profitable for you to speak to the media. Your protest…”
James: “Absolutely not! I will not be talking to the Communist Broadcasting Company or Communist Television.”
Me: “But the people in Ottawa and elsewhere are still confused about what your protest is about, don’t you think? Wouldn’t making a clear and reasonable statement to the media clear up a lot of that confusion?”
James: “It would only help Trudeau’s media divide us. This is how they work. You’re young; you’ll learn this lesson someday.”
Me: “Why don’t you teach me? How does the media divide us?”
James: “They tell lies about us, that we’re racist, that we’re violent—the lies have to end.”
Me: But wouldn’t correcting the record counter their lies?”
James: “Not at all, because they will twist our words and turn them against us.”
Me: “What do you want to do about that then?”
James: “We need to show the world that we’re calm and peaceful. We’re all the same, you know. We all want the same thing.”
Me: “And what is that?”
James: “We all want unity. We all want peace and an end to Trudeau’s division.”
Me: “Ah, yes, your wife was just telling me about that.”
Sandy: “I was, yes. I said that we all want peace and love and freedom. Isn’t that right, James?”
James: “The truest thing I’ve ever heard!”
Me: “So if we all want the same thing, how do you think that the media divides us?”
James: “The media lies. That’s all. It tells us that we want different things. The media says that what is good for me is bad for you. But we all have the same good.”
Me: “Okay, so what does this mean? Do you think that we can solve this problem by persuading everyone of the value of freedom? Is that what you mean?”
James: “That’s not enough! We have to show Trudeau that we’ve had it. We’re done with his division and diversity. We’re done with his lies and his UN agenda. He’s trying to exterminate us, you know. Freedom-loving Canadians are an endangered species. He needs to get rid of us to bring in his Communism.”
Me: “What are you talking about?”
James: “We’re being replaced, you and me! This is their plan! Trudeau is trying to divide us so he can start a one-world government. Not on our watch! We’re fighting for unity against Communism!”
Sandra: “Yes, exactly, that’s what I’ve been saying.”
Me: “Stop. Slow down. I’ve lost you. What do you mean by ‘unity’, then? What are you fighting for?”
James: “Canadians need to come together to fight back against Trudeau’s division. We need to recognize that we all want the same things.”
Me: “Okay, so let me catch up, here. What do you mean by unity?”
James: “I just said that it’s the opposite of division and diversity. Once we recognize that we’re all the same, we have unity.”
Me: “But this isn’t clear. What do you mean that we’re all the same? Is it that we all believe the same things? Is it that we all know the same things?”
James: “It’s very clear. It’s that we’re all the same. We’re all equal, like God made us. We were made in His image.”
Me: “Do you think that we’re the same in every respect, or just one respect?”
James: “What does this matter?”
Me: “It’s about what it means to be the same. Please answer the question. Are we the same in every respect or just one?”
James: “In every respect.”
Me: “Are we the same height or different?”
James: “Different, of course.”
Me: “So we’re not the same with respect to height.”
James: “Well, yeah, but height doesn’t matter, does it?”
Sandra: “It doesn’t. I’m not sure if we should continue, dear. I think she’s trying to trip us up.”
Me: “No, no. I really just don’t know. All I want is to know what your protest is for. You say that it’s for unity, but I still don’t know what unity means.”
James: “Really? Who doesn’t know what unity means? Are you pulling our leg?”
Me: “Maybe I’m just confused, but please, if you know what it means, I would appreciate the help in clearing up my confusion. Truly.”
James: “Okay then. Unity is being the same in every respect.”
Me: “Except height.”
James: “Yes.”
Me: “What about weight?”
James: “That too.”
Me: “Wealth?”
James: “Or that.”
Me: “Ability?”
James: “What do you mean?”
Me: “Am I the same as a disabled person?”
James: “Of course. Our friend Pat [King] only has one leg, and he’s just as good as the rest of us.”
Me: “So sameness here is about our value? Is that right?”
James: “Exactly. Everyone is equal. We are all made in God’s image, and God loves all His children.”
Me: “What happens when people aren’t treated equally?”
James: “That’s what we’re fighting for! We’re being treated as second class citizens for not being vaccinated, and that’s wrong!”
Me: “How do you mean? In what way are you being treated as second class citizens?”
Sandra: “We’re not allowed to go to restaurants, and now we can’t even go into the United States! If a black person were stopped from going to a restaurant or stopped from travelling, we would call that racism. Why is that different when its unvaccinated people who are discriminated against?”
Me: “Don’t you see there’s a difference there, though? You’ve made a choice to not be vaccinated. A black person is discriminated against for something they can’t control.”
James: “See, this is what the media wants you to think! We’re actually the same.”
Me: “Okay, okay, let’s take a step back. What I meant to ask is whether people are in fact treated equally or whether they should be treated equally on the basis of those differences that you yourself say don’t matter. Do you think that people with different heights and different weights are treated equally? What about people with different abilities?”
James: “I think they are. And that’s how I know that unity is possible.”
Me: “Are you sure? There’s lots of data that show that people are treated differently because of their height. Taller people are more likely to earn more money, for example, or get hired for jobs. The same for thinner people and able-bodied people.”
James: “That’s nonsense. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms says that we can’t discriminate against people. It doesn’t happen.”
Me: “Maybe you should ask your friend about this. Does he think that he’s treated differently because he only has one leg?”
James: “He doesn’t! Stop with this identity politics! This is how Trudeau is trying to divide us!”
Me: “Okay, sorry. I’m just trying to understand. What about your wife and yourself? Sandra, do you think that people treat you differently because you’re a woman?”
Sandra: “Not at all. People treat us both the same.”
Me: “But there are some people who are treated differently, yes?”
James: “Conservatives! We’re not allowed to speak in public without fear of being silenced.”
Me: “Oh? But you’re speaking now. What do you think that you can’t say in public?”
James: “Exactly what I’ve just been saying, that everyone is the same.”
Me: “But you’ve just been saying it, so you must be able to say it.”
James: “But we can’t! Every time we start talking about how black people and white people are equal, or that there is no discrimination against Native people, we get our Facebook accounts banned and people yell at us for being racist. They’re the real racists. They think black people are worse, that they need help to succeed.”
Me: “You don’t think that black people or indigenous people have been systematically disadvantaged in Canada? Canada has a long history with racism.”
James: “That’s just it! History! Look, we have a couple black guys in the convoy and many naïve tribes support us. They don’t feel like there has been any racism.”
Me: “Sure, but the statistics say otherwise, don’t they? What explains the racial wealth gap? What explains police violence?”
James: “This is identity politics! Trudeau is using these lies to try to divide us! We won’t tolerate it any longer!”
Me: “Wait a second here. That may be true, but what do you say to the indigenous person who genuinely believes that they have faced discrimination?”
James: “I say that discrimination is illegal.”
Me: “Don’t illegal things happen all the time. Hasn’t your protest been deemed illegal?”
James: “We have the right to peacefully protest!”
Me: “I agree, I agree. I just mean that sometimes the law is an ideal that isn’t fully upheld in society. You think that vaccine mandates are illegal, don’t you? Isn’t that right?”
James: “I suppose you’re right.”
Me: “So what, then, do you say to the indigenous person who feels like they have genuinely faced discrimination?”
James: “I don’t know. I guess I say that this is why we need unity.”
Me: “What do you mean by ‘unity’ there, then? It can’t just be the fact that we’re all equal, can it?”
James: “Well, no, I guess not.”
Me: “What else must it be then?”
James: “Let me think. I know it. I’m just emotionally and mentally drained right now. We’ve been out here for two long weeks now, you know?”
Me: “No, yeah, I get it. Try this: before you arrived, your wife and I were discussing whether unity was agreement in belief or in knowledge. Isn’t that right, Sandra?”
Sandra: “Exactly! And Sophie made a good point. She said what if Trudeau succeeded in persuading everyone to be a communist. That wouldn’t be unity, would it?”
James: “Absolutely not! You can’t have unity about something so wrong!”
Me: “Okay, so what is unity, do you think? If it’s not belief, is it knowledge?”
James: “What do you mean by that?”
Me: “I mean, can we achieve unity if we all know that we’re all the same? Is that what you think?”
James: “Yes, exactly!”
Me: “So I want to ask you the same thing I asked your wife right before you arrived. Do you think it’s possible for two people who both know that all people are equal to reasonably disagree?”
James: “I don’t know what you mean.”
Sandra: “She said something about whether we should talk to the media about covid restrictions saving people’s lives or something. I don’t remember.”
Me: “What I mean is this: suppose two different people both know that all people are equal. Good so far?”
James: “Yeah. Uh huh.”
Me: “One of those people infers that because every person has the same value, those who are able should help those who fall on hard times so that everyone can enjoy the same quality of life. The other one infers that because every person has the same value that we treat everyone exactly the same without paying attention to whether someone has fallen on hard times or has gotten lucky. Does that makes sense?
James: “Yes…”
Me: “Okay, so do you think these two people can reasonably disagree? They both accept the same basic fact, that all people have equal value, but infer something different from it. Is that possible?”
James: “Of course not! The first person isn’t right!”
Me: “What are they doing wrong?”
James: “He’s treating people differently!”
Me: “But does that mean that they value people differently? Think about it this way: Keeping every one of your trucks full of gas is important. No truck is any less important than any other truck. Is that right?”
James: “Of course.”
Me: “Okay, so how do you distribute fuel? Do you give every truck the same amount of fuel even though some trucks are full and some trucks are empty? Or do you give the empty trucks more than the full trucks?”
James: “You give the empty trucks fuel. Obviously.”
Me: “How is this different than helping those who’ve fallen on hard times?”
James: “I guess it isn’t.”
Me: “So as I was telling Sandra earlier, what should we do about covid restrictions? Don’t you think we should be helping keep people safe who might have asthma or who might be immunocompromised?”
James: “No but that’s different! You’re pitting people against each other that way! You’re taking away people’s freedoms just for the benefit of a few people.”
Me: “Look back at the trucks. Where are you getting the fuel to fill the empty trucks? Aren’t you taking away the freedom of the full trucks to have more gas?”
James: “It’s not the same! The full trucks have enough!”
Me: “And you and I don’t already have enough? What pain is there really to wearing a mask and getting vaccinated?”
James: “No, look, you don’t understand! If everyone just agreed with us, we would have unity! These logical tricks won’t work! I don’t know who you work for, but you have to stop now! We need to put an end to diversity and division in this country, and that’s what we’re doing here! We will hold the line!”
Me: “I don’t…”
James: “Sandra, we have to go. Sandra…”
Me: “Wait, I have…”
James: “Freedom! Hold the line! Hold the line!”