My buddy had just arrived home in Calgary. He was exhausted after flying in from a gruelling and lengthy international flight — only to get an official government e-mail on his phone, telling him he had been chosen for a random airport COVID-19 test..Of course, he was home. He was no longer at the airport. So, why tell him now? Especially after he had completed his ArriveCAN info before he left. They had all his info: So, why didn't they tell him when he arrived?.He phoned them back. It turns out they have three hours to let you know and, not a damn thing you can do about it. Shut up and do what you're told..He was too tired to drive back to the airport, it had been a long trip, so he asked what his options were.."No problem," they said. Just go to a certain drug store, pick up a special kit — not the usual testing kits you and I get, but a special one. They'll know. then follow the instructions. They then issued him a stern warning that if he did not file the test within 24 hours, all legal hell would come down on him — it was a serious, strong-arm government threat..In other words 'we will crush you, legally ... destroy you ... if you don't comply.'.So the next day he goes to the drug store, picks up this special test, brings it home and reads the big manual..The company handling the tests for the government demands that he first download apps to his computer and then agrees to passing all his private health information, to them..Imagine! A complete stranger wants all his personal health info! Not only that, but he must do the test live, online, so they can see the result!.Then, when the test is done, he must give the test to Purolator, for delivery to a special address of some kind. Only then will he get word if he is positive, or not. He phoned them and told them that no way in hell was he downloading their goddam app into his computer. Secondly, I'm not going to do this live online-thing, either..Fine they said, we don't care either way..He also asked the company, how much is the government paying you for these tests?.Oh, nothing, they said..You mean, you're doing it out of the kindness of your heart? Give me a break!.He asked again, how much are they paying you?.Again, they refused to answer. Which raises serious questions about who is benefitting from these tests. Is there someone in the Prime Minister's Office or Health Canada who has connections with this mysterious company? And why did they bring back the tests, when the rest of the world has ended the restrictions? And who, in Canada, is benefitting? The company also claimed they had 18 test locations in the city. Of course, none were in my buddy's neighbourhood and he wanted nothing to do with these people anyway..Meanwhile, with Justin Trudeau's federal sword of Damocles hanging over his head he phoned the government number back, waiting half an hour to get through, only to speak to somebody who didn't know much of anything..He explained his situation, his refusal and so forth. They said, he could always go back to the airport and get it done there. So, off he goes back to Calgary airport and takes the test, only to find out he had to take the result to a Purolator office and ship it elsewhere..He did so and photographed everything..Oh, and by the way, he did a rapid test beforehand. He was fine. Nada. So all this was a complete waste of time and money..As I chatted with him, he was just waiting for the feds to call him this evening. He strongly doubted Purolator would deliver the test result on the same day..He could not wait to tear a strip off these idiots, up and down. And I sure hope they did call, and I hope he did carve them a new one..What a completely moronic policy..Multiply that by hundreds — make that thousands of Canadians — caught in this ridiculous, Three Stooges bureaucratic bind. What right does the government have to threaten and strong-arm us? Is this what Canadians died for on the beaches of Normandy? As I told him. Look at your passport, look at what it says on the inside cover. "The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada requests, in the name of Her Majesty the Queen, all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer, to pass freely, without delay or hindrance, and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary.".Let's repeat that, to pass freely, without delay or hindrance....That means all you need to enter Canada is your passport. That's your right. You don't need to do ArriveCAN. You don't need a test. You don't need anything except your passport..Technically, you can tell them to take a hike..They will put you in a separate line. They will scold you. They will make you sign a frightening document, threatening you with all kinds of legal nonsense..They will take a photo of it, and then hand you the original. And then you can go home..And just to make a point, take a cab home, or a Uber..As far as I'm concerned that's totally legal and you are within your rights, as a Canadian..One has to really wonder why Canada is continuing these ridiculous random checks and mask wearing policies on flights, when the rest of the world has ditched them..The fact company reps at this mysterious testing firm (note, one company, just one), would not admit they were being paid, raises alarm bells for this reporter..We just might have another Liberal scandal on our hands folks.
