We’re All Political Prisoners Now

I was back at the Whistle Stop Café on Thursday to cover the ongoing standoff between owner Chris Scott and Alberta Health Services.  

Chris reopened his restaurant two weeks ago in contravention of the government’s lockdown orders and has refused to shut down since, despite receiving near-constant harassment from police and health officials. 

His stubborn refusal to bend the knee to Premier Jason Kenney’s tyrannical health restrictions has placed Chris smack-dab in the middle of a legal firestorm.

Not only has he defied government orders to close for dine-in service, but he has also ignored the injunction Alberta Health won against him in court on Wednesday. 

For his actions, Chris now faces possible imprisonment if found in contempt of court. 

But Chris isn’t alone in this. He’s been showered with an outpouring of support from the local community.

And in an exciting turn of events, on Thursday, three helicopters showed up in front of his restaurant to support him and his employees.

And I was there to cover all the action: 

Alberta’s politicians and health bureaucrats, who have yet to miss a payday during this crisis, are forcing hardworking business owners like Chris to close shop and lose their means of survival.

As it currently stands, the government has Chris dead to rights for ignoring the court injunction, but have yet to arrest him. It’s not often someone stares down the government, and the government blinks first. 

Chris’ righteous act of defiance may just lead to the reopening of Alberta’s entire service industry and set a powerful precedent for other Canadian business owners to follow.

I’ll make sure to report back as this historic standoff unfolds.  

Yours truly,  

Sheila Gunn Reid