Ford Gets a Better Idea

 

Doug Ford’s government here in Ontario is facing criticism for having called for a total lockdown, then rescinding part of it within 24 hours. They had intended to have police stop people and issue fines if they did not have a good reason to be out and about. A number of police chiefs publicly declared they would not do it. The government had intended to close playgrounds, but people quickly and loudly protested that, with kids home from school, they needed the playgrounds. And kids playing outdoors did not spread COVID.

I would have been okay with the original measures. This is a public health emergency. In an emergency, it is acceptable in our liberal democratic tradition to suspend civil liberties. This is why we have a “riot act” in most democracies, and a “war measures act.” France has been using a stop-and-check policy just like the one envisaged.

But if we feel the initial orders went too far, surely it is to the government’s credit that they backed off quickly. Anyone can make a mistake, and everyone does. The mark of a good and competent person is to acknowledge this, and change. How have we lost this basic principle of morality and good judgement?