draconian might be an exaggeration

That is the thing, I think if we actually had locked down we might not be in as big a mess as we are. In Australia people were far more restricted than us, there really wasn't much non-vaccinated people were not allowed to do here compared to most other developed countries.

The protests are not about the mandates, they were just a good excuse. Look at where the bulk of the money and organizers come from, what they mainly talk about in their videos and social media. Ordinary Canadians are overwhelmingly NOT with these protestors, in fact most ordinary Canadians are wondering why the police haven't really done much when if they were first nations or whatever they would have been pepper-sprayed, beaten, and in jail on day 1.

Don't take this as me siding with the government - I have a deep, deep suspicion of any politician (I think anyone who seeks power at that level is immediately suspect).