Cloak and Dagger: Truth in the Shadows of Politics, Power, and Paranoia

Can't see the forest for the trees

I’ve been part of the LGBTQ2 community for over 40 years. I’ve always stood for individual rights, the right to live freely, and to be who we are without apology. I’ve also supported and still support Indigenous self-governance and the importance of Truth and Reconciliation.

I believe in regulation around hate speech — but only if it’s paired with meaningful education. We can’t force people to change their beliefs by pushing an agenda and taking away their livelihoods. When we do that, we remove their ability to think critically and engage in dialogue. It becomes about control, not progress.

This is something I learned firsthand in the 1990s when I worked for the City of Saskatoon — what I call the “old boys club.” I didn’t demand anyone like me or even accept me. I did expect respect, and I didn’t let ignorance about the LGBTQ2 community go unchecked. I used those moments to educate.

When my seasonal work ended, I worked as a Youth Care Worker. I shared what I knew — including the reality that LGBTQ2 youth were dying by suicide at staggering rates, accounting for up to 80% of all suicides in Canada at the time. These conversations weren’t always comfortable, but they helped create understanding. Over time, I earned the respect of most people I worked with — which wasn’t a given in that era.

I supported the Green Party and NDP for decades because they stood for my values and social equity. But my relationship with these parties changed during the COVID pandemic. People were forced — either directly or through coercion — to take a vaccine, and those of us who refused were refused jobs, often cut off by family and friends. All the parties I once supported voted to mandate the shot for everyone, regardless of personal choice. That crossed a line for me. This wasn’t a government working for its people — this was a government testing its ability to control them. It’s just one example of how our Charter rights have slowly been chipped away.

I recently returned to Facebook, (of which I'm regretting) and with another election, I watched many of my friends support parties that are pushing us further into debt and controlling our options. For example, the idea that we’ll all have to drive electric vehicles, even though the cost ranges from $70,000 to $100,000, is unrealistic for most people. Some say, “I’ll be gone by then,” but that ignores the fact that it’s our children and grandchildren who will be paying off the debt created today and paying the inflationary prices.  Not to mention how our country is extremely vulnerable.

More concerning are the ideas being openly discussed in Mark Carney’s book — ideas that are already shaping policy. These aren’t conspiracy theories; they’re printed on the page:

·         “A social credit system is already being imagined.” (p. 272)

·         “Freedom will be redefined by bureaucrats.” (p. 112)

·         “The government will control every part of your life.” (p. 122)

·         “You’ll own nothing” — and that’s the point. (p. 234)

·         “Markets must be morally correct” — by whose standard? (p. 139)

·         “Experts will replace democracy.” - no more choices for our autonomy (p. 245)

These are direct quotes. I tried sharing this information with others and one person called me a liar which ended our friendship. Others posted that not supporting Carney meant I wasn’t an ally to my own LGTBQ2 community — despite my 40+ years of lived experience, work, and advocacy.

What I see now is a deepening pattern of divide and conquer. I spoke about this on facebook but it went unheard. It’s more visible than ever, and more people are starting to notice it. Some provinces are beginning to talk seriously about separation. This is already happening in the U.S., in places like Texas. We are not immune to those discussions here. I can see all of western Canada separating.

During the truckers’ convoy, I watched livestreams and saw something very different than what was shown and printed on mainstream news. Yes, there were people involved who shouldn’t have been — but the general narrative spun by media did not reflect what many of us witnessed. That was a turning point for me in how I consume information.

Now, I do my research. I use Brave browser and read widely across sources. I don’t trust headlines or talking points from mainstream media. I pay attention to what feels grounded, what aligns with logic, and what adds up over time.

I’ve been on the political left for most of my life, and I still hold many of those values. But I no longer support political parties that disregard my rights, infringe on my freedom or the Canadian Charter of Rights. Until we return to respectful, balanced dialogue and allow space for disagreement without punishment, I don’t see myself going back.

If you see this as a joke...then you'll continue to create the division among us, not to mention how disrespectful it is.  If you want to make light of all of this...mark my words...there will be an unfolding of things that will make you painfully regret your choices and how you made light of everyone who spoke up.