American author Edward Abbey once said, “A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.” These words were true when first said, and they are even truer today.
I know a young lady in Calgary who is honest, ethical, and hard working. She holds down two jobs, pays her taxes, obeys all laws, volunteers extensively, and in every way is the kind of citizen that built our society and continues to improve it, every day.
On Saturday, June 8th, she was returning from some “R and R” in Phoenix. After landing in Calgary, she collected her luggage and headed for Canada Customs. When called forward by the agent, she answered a few questions regarding the purpose of her trip, and her purchases, but was then directed to a secondary “holding” area. There she waited for about 10 minutes, until a Canada Customs official walked in and said: “You have two choices. You can cooperate with us, or I can put you in handcuffs.” While stunned, she agreed to cooperate, although she had no idea what she was supposed to cooperate with or about. She was then read her rights, and was asked if she wanted an attorney, to which she answered, “Yes.” By now, she was scared out of her wits, as well you can imagine. While she had also been advised she had the right to one phone call, they had already seized all her possessions, including her cellphone, so making a call was impossible. She was then thoroughly searched, and I do mean thoroughly. Finally, she was escorted into a holding cell. After a long wait, she finally got the chance to ask one of the agents why she was being held, and how she was supposed to cooperate. At this point, they informed her that she had two outstanding arrest warrants, but would be released if she agreed to pay for the two associated fines. Naturally, she instantly agreed to pay, but at the same time, she asked what fines they were talking about? Get ready, and yes, I’m telling you the truth. She was told that her arrest warrants were because she had failed to pay for two pet licenses!
By now, the Calgary police had arrived on the scene but before they could arrest her, she paid for the two licenses and was released. Exhausted and by now a nervous wreck, she got home about an hour later. Naturally, her husband had been worried sick, for she was over three hours late. Despite her exhaustion, she searched her banking records and found copies of the cancelled cheques. The cheques she had issued three months previously to pay for the two dog licenses. She had been arrested for failing to pay for pet licenses that she had already paid for.
One continues to wonder how many more absurd events are going to occur in Alberta before the PC party finally wakes up and starts trying to serve the citizens of this province.
Brian McLeod is a St. Albert resident.
