Address from Prime Minister(Fictional Letter to The Nation))
My Fellow Canadians. Greetings from My Family to Yours.
There is a great deal of chatter coming from the media and my fellow citizens regarding a lack of accountability and transparency within my administration, referring to the unforeseen damage that has been done to many Canadians, their businesses, and personal lives, because of your government’s policies fighting COVID-19. It is true that the Pandemic has influenced each of us in many ways, both personally and professionally. I have been inflicted with the virus, as have many of my colleagues in and outside of government. My personal freedoms were and are limited to this day because of the pandemics’ continual threats.
There have been many crises these past few years, where Canadians have shown their displeasure at my administration’s policies and decision-making processes. May I assure you that all decisions were based entirely upon the efforts to keep all Canadians safe, healthy, and on their way to continual prosperity? Sometimes we had to play hardball, placing the rights of the many before the rights of the few. That is not an excuse but a lived fact, that “We cannot be all things to all people”.
A significant portion of the Canadian population has challenged our policies regarding wearing of masks and other safety measures. Also allowing the Provinces to close down sectors of their local economies so that the spread of COVID could be isolated and hopefully managed. Safety regulations were directed to the trucking and transportation sectors, as well as border sectors. I can assure you that our intention was always to keep our population safe from the pandemic spread.
Friends, our nation has multiple stress points, challenging its pathway to future economic prosperity. Many Provinces are challenging the Federal Government, its policies and regulations daily both legally and Constitutionally. Common Universal Law that protects all Canadians is being ignored, legally challenged, or simply bypassed by Provinces with their own particular agenda. Canadian commonality is being challenged by short-sighted political opportunism in Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Alberta to name a few challengers.
I must admit, the Canadian Government has developed an extremely large national debt along with our Provincial Partners. This debt has placed our nation in a precarious situation, with questions of how we are to financially manage this debt while continuing to finance our national policies present. I must admit our policies have been directly responsible for this future financial crisis, but hopefully, you will understand why it happened.
Canadians are a demanding group of people, impatient and selfish at times. Local, Provincial, and Personal needs often out weight good financial planning. At a time of low-interest rates, we, that is to say, all of Canadians used our credit to achieve our dreams and needs. Keeping a large cash balance seemed to not make sense as cheap borrowed money was available. Canadians went from savers to borrowers-spenders in a few generations. Governments followed the same path, only to be forced to deal with an unforeseen pandemic. Not enough masks, and not enough healthcare personnel. I wish I could have had a crystal ball telling me what the future held for us all. Truly.
The first year of the pandemic held many uncertainties, yet my administration with our national partners did what we could do to protect each and every one of you. Yes, the shutdowns of businesses, restaurants, social clubs, and sporting teams changed our perspective on how we were to live, but we did live on to the best of our abilities. I know Canada lost many of their sons, daughters, mothers, and fathers with children to this pandemic. Many thousands have to cope with health issues brought on by post-COVID-19 Symptoms(Long Haulers).
We lacked enough hospital breathers and beds, hoping for a breather from this continual disaster. I can point my finger at those truly responsible within the provincial sphere, but that will show how much I am like them. Provinces carry out what they determine is good healthcare policy, and then run to Ottawa for continual funding boosts. I have been called a micro-manager by many, yet I manage and spread the responsibility to govern many able professionals.
We have made errors. Yes, we have particularly due to the uncertainties of this pandemic. How could we know that washing your hands, wearing masks, and being diligent with reference to your health and safety was all that was needed? We knew that our hospital capabilities were limited, yet the fear of going full-out purchasing what could be needed, and spending massive amounts of precious funds was challenging, to say the least. I feared making errors that would have made me look politically bad. Yeah, I can be selfish too. Our public collective fear did not allow us to see the situation well, patiently waiting to see what would unfurl globally and nationally. Many Canadians have died or injured themselves because of personal loss. The loss of a loved one, mental illness, business failures, and closures. Not everything worked out as expected. Simply wearing a mask became a cause celeb to many Canadians culminating in the Ottawa Occupation. Our economy is jumping back, but many thousands of businesses closed for good, with the loss of personal savings and future hope. How can I make people understand how much I feel for them, their families, and the loss they have and are experiencing? I am human after all. A cliche, but truly felt.
Am I responsible for the policies that may have harmed Canadians? Did my administration overreact and place some Canadians at risk? Maybe. Am I responsible for someone who kills themselves because they lost a family member or their business? Am I responsible for the loss of the many elderly Canadians who were basically imprisoned in their own senior homes as the virus spread? Am I responsible for the horrors that British and Canadian authorities did to our Aboriginal Population?
I am your leader, a symbol of Canada, a symbol of Canadian Justice who Hoped for and achieved. Shall I fall upon my sword? Many Canadians would like me to simply fade away, but would that answer all your prays, and fulfill all your hopes and dreams for this nation?
As Prime Minister, I am responsible for the Canadian Ship of State, and all it has achieved for Canadians, as well as the unfortunate losses Canada has experienced these past years. The upcoming future election will present you with the ability to vote your confidence or displeasure for my administration. My promise of our diligence and hard work to achieve excellence for Canadians persists and will not waiver. Canadian cooperation, patience, and creativity will certainly rule this day and future generations.
The Prime Minister
Ottawa, Canada (Experience Ottawa this winter).
Steven Kaszab
Bradford, Ontario
skaszab@yahoo.ca
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