Truck protests against vaccine mandates are still ongoing, and it seems that there is a determination to continue them by some of the groups participating in and supporting them, especially regarding the protests centered in the Canadian capital, Ottawa.

But as you know, there is a legal description of these protests as illegal, but they were influential. Despite their negative impact, which led the mayor of Ottawa, the Canadian capital, Jim Watson, to declare a state of emergency in the city for the first time in the city's history in such exceptional cases, it also pushed Ontario Premier Doug Ford to declare a state of emergency in the province. Both made such decisions to address the challenges resulting from these protests and their attempts to paralyze the economy, thereby negatively affecting the existing stability, especially what we witnessed in the past few days through the closure of bridges between Canada and the United States of America.

However, there is a fact that we did not witness any repression or clash between police and protesting citizens, nor did we see violent assaults on official institutions, for example, or looting and vandalism of companies and shops as happened in other countries. When the judiciary intervened to resolve the issue, there was near full compliance regardless of the presence of some protest hotspots whose effect weakened in the face of the escalating judicial, popular, and official stance rejecting what was issued from them, their course, and the resulting negative social and economic impact.

Therefore, the wisdom with which the Canadian leaderships responsible at all levels—federal, provincial, local, parliamentary, and security—have dealt with this challenge since its inception deserves praise, even if it seems slow to some.

Yes, perhaps it required bolder and braver decisions through opening direct dialogue with all concerned parties to contain these protests and not give them the opportunity to expand and spread more and more, alongside granting police forces the authority to take the initiative in maintaining security and order, thus controlling them before they get out of control and are exploited by parties hostile to the country and its stability.

Nevertheless, I find the opportunity still favorable to take advanced and tangible steps that rely on constructive, calm, and inclusive dialogue as an approach, even if that involves making some logical concessions, away from entrenching behind rigid viewpoints that benefit no one. This way, everyone will gain, including Canada first and foremost, above any other consideration. Otherwise, the loser in the end may be the country and citizens who have been greatly harmed by such protests that are still ongoing and trying to develop their protest methods despite the court’s ruling on their illegality and the declaration of a state of emergency at the level of the Canadian capital and Ontario province as well.

This undoubtedly leads us to another perspective that highlights the importance of exercising reason and understanding the fact that vaccines made a significant difference in reducing the number of severe cases and even deaths. Therefore, it is essential to believe in their importance, as they undoubtedly had a positive effect even if some did not feel it or others harbored legitimate doubts about the importance and efficacy of these vaccines.

Along with that, no one can deny that what the federal government, provincial governments, and municipalities did to provide all means of support and protection to citizens throughout the pandemic represented more than wonderful work resulting from tremendous efforts and great sacrifices that cannot be ignored or denied.

On the other hand, there is a fact that we did not witness pressures or cases of coercion to get vaccinated, understanding that there were requirements that some may have understood as pressuring this group protesting vaccinations in general. These requirements had to be understood and dealt with more openly and wisely, away from tension and a language of challenge among all parties, as the rapid spread of the pandemic and its variants required strictness and significant tough decisions, even if they were painful and did not please some.

In the end, in my estimation, we need to understand each other and completely move away from imitating others in their protests elsewhere, many of which were chaotic and barbaric and benefited no one. Rather, they deepened societal divisions and harmed the dignity of democracy, which represents a proud human achievement that must be celebrated rather than undermined or destroyed.

Instead, we should seek how to invest in our energies and the energies of our children and develop what will make this great country more advanced, prosperous, and flourishing in all its vital components, logistics, and infrastructure that require a lot of work to keep pace with the enormous development happening in many countries around the world, and its hospitals that now need much effort, cooperation, and understanding of the duty to eliminate the bureaucracy that is devouring them.

This is in addition to its educational institutions, which now face a great challenge due to the pandemic’s challenges, and many other things that require focus, effort, work, and perseverance until there is a flood of innovators, not an overflow of calls from saboteurs!

Therefore, I find that Canada is fine despite all the negatives resulting from this passing cloud, which should carry with it important lessons to strengthen the internal condition rather than its fragility and division as we see it. It is fine with its people, fine with its officials, fine with its democracy, and fine with its agencies that guard the security of their country, and with God’s will, Canada will always be fine.