Saturday, September 20, 2008

Canada is not a police state

Who gives the police the right to tell reporters that they, the reporters, may not speak to protesters? I watched a CTV news segment on Conservative leader Stephen Harper's campaign bus stopping in Montreal. At first, reporters were not allowed off the bus. Then, they were apparently told by the police that they needed to talk to the Prime Minister's Office if they could talk to the protesters (which didn't happen).

Canada is not a police state. The police who are with Stephen Harper are there to protect his safety, not to protect his photo-op and soundbite. If this is the Canada that Stephen Harper wants, a police state, then I don't want to be a part of it.

2 comments:

Kim Feraday said...

I'm pretty sure that it is the country Harper wants and that he'd be more than happy for all of us to leave. :(

Anonymous said...

It's always hard to balance the rights of police. We all want to feel safe, on the other hand nobody wants to be bullied by the police. I am afraid recent cases (like the polish guy vs. taser on the airport) have pretty damaged image of our security forces. On the other hand - I believe we are still very tolerant country with tolerant police and we are definitely not a police state. Just check "Russian police" on youtube - you will see what's the REAL police state .)

Take care
Elli