…as the source, as we say, is no one’s prayer book. But I just found this YouTube video that confirms it:
If you want the text in English, click the CC button, then the * button and select translation to English. The automated translation is actually pretty close to exact.
For those who don’t view videos and don’t click links, Îles-de-la-Madeleine, a small community in Canada, attempted to institute a municipal ordinance that requires all persons, resident or transient, to carry a QR code with them, and to show it upon exiting the municipal limits. Persons who are:
- Not residents, or:
- Unable or unwilling to present the QR code
…would be charged a “$30 tourist fee” upon exiting the city. In effect, the municipal council tried to claim ownership of the little city. (Probably “for the public good.”) However, a storm of criticism compelled the council to back down somewhat; for the present, all you’ll need to enter or exit Îles-de-la-Madeleine is to show a valid driver’s license. Why? Unclear.
I guarantee that if this scheme of controlled-entry / controlled exit is maintained, a fee for exit – and possibly for entry as well – will be imposed within a few years; five at most. Why? To cover the cost of operating and maintaining the system, of course! Shortly thereafter, the fee will start to grow. Two decades thereafter, there will be no relationship between the fee and any municipal responsibility. Not that there’s any real relationship now.
Remember all the foofaurauw over “15-minute cities?” You’re looking at exactly what their proponents intend to do…to you.
O Canada! The true north, strong and free! I can’t see why further commentary is required, can you?
3 comments
Canada is ripe for this. Partly because of their parliamentary system but mostly because Canada lacks a constitution that protects the citizens rights. Canada is ruled by three cities in which the majority of the population don’t consider themselves to be “Canadian”. The “Canadians” can’t do anything about it, they could all vote for a change and it will be overruled by the voters in Canada’s largest cities. Big mistake bringing in all those immigrants. Big surprise (sarc) that they all vote as a block and to benefit themselves and not Canadians. It would not surprise me to see Canadian citizens seeking refugee status in the U.S. in 10 years or so. Poilievre is their “Trump” but can he be choosen to be prime minister? I doubt it.
You should know, sir, that the 15-minute city thingy is being eagerly subscribed to by cash-starved municipalities across Canada. They are offering themselves as test cases, in exchange for the various funds, cash infusions, and other bennies that come with this kind of surrender.
We have no choice but to observe and report, as the time is long since past when we could have done anything. We are outvoted by the diversity every time, and if we object we are shouted down as bigots and racists and thus ignored and discounted.
So be it.
On the wall, the writing is.
I wonder if these people have ever thought that they could be similarly levied a “fee” for the privilege of being allowed to leave their little municipality? Put up fences at every feasible exit (street traffic, bikes, foot traffic, mass transit, whatever), and charge everyone who has an ID with that city as their listed residence a fee for the privilege of being allowed to travel, with an increasing daily charge for every day they stay away from that listed residence ($25 for the first day, $50 for the second, $75 for the third, and $100 for every day thereafter). Sounds as fair as charging someone for passing through from elsewhere.
“This is what you voted for. This is what you get.”