One of the biggest issues of this protest was the fact the protesters had and have no clue how Canadian Government works, how and what laws are applied in Canada.
Example, you cannot call the Governor General's office and ask her to change the ruling government because we do not like how they do things. We do not have a citizen recall system in place. We have to wait for an election or confidence vote to take place.
In Ontario if you are pulled over by Police for any reason while driving you must produce ID and a driver's license, proof of ownership and insurance. It is in the Ontario Highway Traffic Act. Passengers do not have to show ID, also in the Ontario Highway Traffic Act.
We do not have the 5th Amendment right, we do not have a Bill of Rights and Freedoms in Canada. We have the Constitution Of Canada, with the Charter of Rights. Right to bear Arms, is an American thing and those rights end at the border, we do not have Bail Enforcement Officers with more powers than Police in Canada.
Most Canadians do not know their rights.
American Rights after arrest
You have the right to remain silent and refuse to answer questions. Anything you say may be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to consult an attorney before speaking to the police and to have an attorney present during questioning now or in the future.
Canadian rights after arrest
The Canadian Charter warning reads (varies by police service): "You are under arrest for _________ (charge); do you understand? You have the right to retain and instruct counsel without delay. We will provide you with a toll-free telephone lawyer referral service, if you do not have your own lawyer.
Very different rights if you read them and understand them.
The mandates the Protesters wanted changed were a lot of Provincial Powers not Federal Powers
Health care and such falls under the mandate of the Provinces, so asking the Federal Government to toss the mask rules is not in their powers.
Border Crossing rules are a Federal jurisdiction, but Canada only controls the rules once you step across the border, Canada cannot change the rules in another Country.
The Ambassador Bridge, it is one of a few privately owned border crossings in North America. It is a Private business. Blocking it can be a trespassing issue.
In the States the Governor can call up the State National Guard to help with law enforcement. Mayors can request the National Guard.
In Canada the Provinces can request or requisition Canadian Armed Forces to assist in emergency situations, but they cannot be used in law enforcement roles unless the Federal Government enacts the Emergency Powers Act.
These sort of things need to be taught in school, and need to be explained in simple terms so the average person without a law degree can understand the basics.
I remember following a court case in the UK and the person was requesting their 5th Amendment rights and the UK judge had to explain that his courtroom was not in the USA and was not the TV show Law and Order. The person should speak with his lawyer before he says anything more on the stand.
Just because you see it on tv, does not make it right. Just because you heard an explanation of the law, does not mean that is the law of the land you are in. Just because you want something changed does not mean you waving a sign and honking a horn will make it happen.
Side note
The Government of Canada has 2 hammers in its tool box called the Emergency Power Act. This time the government picked the smaller hammer. The police once given proper marching orders, handled the situation very well. No one was shot, no one was killed, every one arrested was treated properly and given a hearing in a timely manner or released.
No one was frozen by the use of water canons like they use in Europe, no one was run over by tanks , no one strip searched on the side of the road. Everyone was treated fairly.
just my opinions
opie