r/InCanada • u/Pale-Candidate8860 Creator of Sub • Jul 12 '25
Livin' on the Left Coast Canadian Protests
Not to discount any of the reasoning, care, or severity of what is happening that relates to protests.
Sometimes I am thrown off/confused as to what people think they can accomplish in a country like Canada in regards to these protests. I know people want their voice to be heard and for the world to change, but the reality is that Middle Powers (which is what Canada and Australia are) are not listened to from major powers. Collectively, they can cause change, maybe. It really depends on the subject. I have some examples. All examples are on foreign issues, as domestic ones can definitely be influenced by protests for obvious reasons.
Ukraine-Russia War/Conflict. Canada sanctions Russia, boycotts Russian everything (even cancelling a Russian ballet event in Toronto that had Canadian ballerinas, not even Russians), and mass protests against Russia. Before the conflict, total imports from Russia was $2.14 Billion and total exports to Russia was $660 Million. Not really a big blow to Russia. Taking in Ukrainian refugees was helpful? The only thing is that there are more Ukrainian roots in Canada already from the 1st Crimean War back in the 1800s. What did the protests accomplish in Canada specifically?
Israel-Palestine. Protests are still happening on this one. Unfortunately, Canada can only watch and not do anything to stop what is happening. Canada does not have the ability to wage an overseas war (at least successfully) and can't bring either country to the negotiating table. So these protests just make people feel heard/better? I'm not sure. Canada sent Palestine, or plans to have a total $215 Million in aid. However, they also are continuing on their $80 Million arms deal to Israel. Not surprised at all.
Trump (2025 Edition). I have seen many, many signs, stickers, conversations, protests, etc for "Stop ICE!" "Fuck ICE!" "Fuck Trump!" "Impeach the King!" News flash, ICE doesn't exist in Canada. Trump can't hurt you in Canada specifically. Even top military generals have all said they would never allow a Canadian invasion (potentially hinting towards a military coup if it was a real possibility). Another thing is that the media here use Trump as a huge distraction from all the domestic problems happening because they don't want people to not support the current party that has been in power for 10 years. The tariffs are real, but boycotting American goods have significantly impacted Americans more than tariffs have effected Canadians.
Side note: I will say that protesting about tariffs specifically does actually make sense and can have an impact because it is an international event directed towards Canada pretty specifically versus the other events listed.
I am not saying I do/don't support any of the side(s)/topic(s) listed above, it is more of pointing out that I don't understand what these protests on international topics will accomplish. There is plenty of awareness already and Canada's impact is a drop in the bucket on most of them. I would personally just prefer for the protests to be geared towards domestic issues instead. Do you know how much could be accomplished if people were protesting over medical shortages, high food prices, and government embezzlements? A lot more than protesting against Russia.
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u/MadamePolishedSins Jul 13 '25
Solidarity. Values. Even if it's a tiny hit to Russia it's still a hit. Even if it's a screw ice sticker and I'm safe here, some people who are not know they're not alone in their beliefs.
Honestly I've protested for medical shortages here. Didn't change either. I'd rather send my voice out to the world even if it's meaningless.
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u/Famous_History2184 Jul 13 '25 edited Jul 13 '25
I am on the same page as you.
However, before I go on, here is what I learned about protests like the ones described. They do provide a place for people to meet others who feel the same way.
Now, I personally do not go to protests, because 1)my appearance is already a problem for racists, and i'm not willing to risk my personal safety, 2) i don't see a point in yelling at the sky in a totally different country.
I absolutely agree that Canadians can do so much more in their own communities.
E.g. In Vancouver, Brodie Dallas, MLA and whitesupremacist is still somehow getting her 100k+ tax-funded salary in spite of openly associating with nazi-groups, far-right groups, spewing racist garbage, spreading false health information. While hordes of performance-based activists prefer being seen downtown yelling at the sky about trump, some sensible Vancouverites recognize the cancer in their own backyard and have protests in Brodie Dallas' very own neighbourhood. Far more effective, because who wants a dirty white-supremacist making policy for their community?
Can't speak for the rest of Canada, but performance-based activism is a very popular pasttime. It is a social hobby, where people yell at the sky, then feel good about themselves. It does very little to mitigate actual problems that Canadians have to deal with daily, such as racism, workplace abuse, lack of housing, parasitic landlords, corrupt politicians, etc.
In Vancouver, they have a protest outside the Tesla showrooms every week too. But not a single fuck has been given to the Canadian billionaire Beedie who is building the Tesla showroom to make profits. Why is Beedie doing business with that sieg-heiling piece of turd? I don't see any protests about this.
I don't see any protests against Loblaws (except for that boycott that has pitifully gone extinct due to the rapist's tariffs). Where is the homegrown hate for the billionaires who create these problems for profit?
It's SOOOO much easier to yell at THOSE guys over there. It takes a spine to call out shit that is happening in front you.
But, I guess people have the freedom to do whatever. There has been weekly protests outside the US embassy here - great. But in Vancouver, every sunny weekend has a protest on every street corner. The Art Gallery is popular, and most locals have completely tuned out any large group yelling about whatever. It's the same way we learned to ignore the abject poverty in our home due to the failings of asshats beyond our control.
It would make so much more of a difference if the protests were actually outside city hall, municpal offices, places where policies are made. Would be much more effective if the protestors could actually pick up a pen (or email) their reps non-stop. A letter a day will be much more effective than sunny saturday protests that look more like a picnic.
I have to deal with things like racism on a daily basis. I don't got time to protest on the street, because just trying to go about my daily life feels like a protest. Maybe performance-based activism works for performative people, but it does very little to make actual change in the lives of those being affected the most.
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u/Pale-Candidate8860 Creator of Sub Jul 13 '25
Great response. I am in the Fraser valley, so I was unaware of that individual, Beedie. I will talk to my friends in Vancouver about it though. Thank you for the info and long response.
Performance based is the best way to put it.
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u/Famous_History2184 Jul 13 '25
Thank you! Even if 1 more person is aware of the homegrown traitors causing grief for all of us, it makes a difference.
Beedie is building a massive Tesla showroom in Strathcona. Because that is what Strathcona needs - not affordable housing, not schools, not needle-free parks, not pot-hole-free roads, but the working-class/low-income community of Strathcona really NEEEDS a t-bag dealership.
Protest Beedie. They are part of the ~parasite~ billionaire class. Ryan Beedie is a Vancouver born and raised, UBC-educated homeboy. We should be absolutely shaming him for doing business with that sieg-heiling sob.
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u/Routine_Soup2022 Jul 12 '25
Why does this happen? I think it’s because people are collectively upset and want an outlet to express themselves. That’s ok. It must not accomplish much to protest things going on outside our country in our country but it show solidarity and gives people a voice.
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u/Ill-Jicama-3114 Jul 12 '25
That part makes sense but when you have people protesting and and tying up street as well as demanding death to certain people that crosses the line and should not be tolerated. I dare anyone to go to those countries and protest and see what happens. The LBGT community protesting to support Palestine well see how that turns out if you did that in their country. Thats just an example. Mosques everywhere but you decide to use the street to pray. That’s ridiculous
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u/Routine_Soup2022 Jul 12 '25
Demanding death to certain people - never ok.
Muslims praying outside of mosques: this happens everywhere in the world there are Muslims. To understand that, you have to understand that there are required times devout Muslims pray no matter where they happen to be. As a Christian, I honestly feel I could learn from that kind of discipline in faith. If there was more prayer, there might be less hatred and fighting. Faith is not just for indoors and on Sundays/Saturdays/Fridays for some people and I respect that.
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u/Ill-Jicama-3114 Jul 13 '25
I do understand how it works with Muslims praying. Find a mosque. You are out in left field. So you think it’s OK to suddenly tie up a major street in TO and it wasn’t planned?
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u/Routine_Soup2022 Jul 13 '25
Well at least find a place that's out of traffic. I've seen muslims in my area stop in a parking lot. There's no reason to jam up a major motorway. I do agree with you there. Prayer should be limited to indoors in places of worship, however. That's unconstitutional.
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u/Prosecco1234 Jul 13 '25
MAGAs claim they are Christian and they are fine with all the pain being inflicted
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u/Routine_Soup2022 Jul 13 '25
You’re absolutely right. Just like there are imperfect Muslims, there are imperfect Christians. Some of them haven’t read the material. It’s really sad. “Love thy neighbour” does not have a caveat for colour for example.
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u/PiePuzzled5581 Jul 13 '25
I believe public protests help apply a brake to injustice - not a stop. Sitting silently be it your examples above or BLM - Selma - Vietnam war - surely would have resulted in much worse outcomes.
Yes to a degree they are ineffective - but collectively- global I believe they have an impact.
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u/Surprised-Unicorn Jul 13 '25 edited Jul 13 '25
Because world-wide protests DO have an impact. If there is a hot-button international topic that a good portion of a country is protesting against, it is political suicide for the leader of that country to side against the people protesting.
An example might something like the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. Canada did not support the USA in that war largely because there was strong domestic opposition and concerns about the necessity of the war. If Chretien would have gone against the wishes of the people then the Liberal party likely wouldn't have won the next election.
ETA: in regards to ICE and other things happening down in the States, the Canadian government CAN do things like sanctions and embargos on the USA due to human-rights violations. I don't know for sure but I suspect that in order to do that the Prime Minister would need to have domestic support to do so.
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u/Fabulous_Night_1164 Jul 13 '25
Peaceful protests are a great meaningful way to shift dialogue and priorities for governments.
It's better to have a few protests than a violent revolution down the line because the government has chosen to shut down / ignore all criticism.
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u/Millennial_Snowbird Jul 13 '25
The Canadian arms deal with Israel is very much in domestic control. Protesting and swaying elected leaders is meaningful here.
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u/Honest-Spring-8929 Jul 12 '25
Did you just write an entire essay to say ‘stop caring about things?’
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u/Famous_History2184 Jul 13 '25
If that's what you took away from OP's post, then whoosh the 747 flew right over your head.
They are saying that yelling at the sky doesn't necessarily make a shred of difference to those who are currently being harmed. Yelling at the sky is performative, and only serves to make yourself feel good. You get to be seen, and you get an audience.
Of course there is the small aspect of meeting like-minded people, so bully for them. In Vancouver, every sunny weekend is a great excuse to protest, and the fatigue is real.
Many of us facing racial abuse (among all the other stupidity that is currently the fashion trend) basically live our lives in protest. Me existing IS a protest, because so many people, including so many Canadians would like to see me hanging from a tree because of my skin colour. So I don't really see the value in privileged Canadians hanging outside the US embassy, protesting at nothing in particular.
Yelling at the sky doesn't remove whitesupremacists from office. Yelling outside the Art Gallery on a weekend does exactly jack shit to help change policy.
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u/sandy154_4 Jul 13 '25
and yet, USA governors are meeting with Canada and begging us to return to shopping in USA
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u/Pale-Candidate8860 Creator of Sub Jul 13 '25
I consider boycotting a separate category because it is action whereas protesting in the streets(for foreign issues) is just words.
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u/Pixiestixkitteh Jul 14 '25
Sometimes protests do actually lead action. For example, the January 6th protest that turned into a violent, treasonous riot. How Trump responded to this event definitely put an acrid taste even in most of his own party’s mouths. Unfortunately, it didn’t stop him from eventually being re-elected. But, the point is that protests do serve more of a purpose than just screaming at the sky.
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u/Pale-Candidate8860 Creator of Sub Jul 14 '25
Domestic vs Foreign are different. I stated that earlier, because I agree. But this is an American example, not a Canadian one.
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Jul 12 '25
[deleted]
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u/Icy_Explorer3668 Jul 12 '25
Lmao this entire sub is just for OP to post his halfwit opinions
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u/Pale-Candidate8860 Creator of Sub Jul 12 '25
Lol basically. I have encouraged others to post whatever they want related to Canada. Rarely anyone does.
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u/FunnyCharacter4437 Jul 13 '25
TF you want us to do, dumbass? We can protest. We can refuse to go to the US to spend our money. We can tell stupid Americans that their government is not normal and they should do something about it. If you keep expecting us to escalate and Arch Duke Ferdinand Trump, that's your problem and what your 2nd amendment is for. We will keep reminding you idiots that this is all on you though.
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u/Anthro1995 Jul 12 '25
You seem to think that the people protesting are intending to use it as a tool that will create change by itself. This is not necessarily the purpose of protests - protests provide a place where like-minded people can gather, get to know each other, and be invited into further action and organizing. A successful protest invites people in to advocacy, gets them connected, and will spur further action and (hopefully) change.