Based New Brunswick

Based New Brunswick?

Canadians with conservative, libertarian or classical liberal beliefs tend to snub their noses at the Maritime provinces.

After all, Canada’s east coast is a guaranteed win for the Liberal Party.

Because Canada’s fisheries were never properly privatized, the fishing industry exploited its natural resource to near depletion. 

Rather than pivot to another industry (i.e. Learn to code), the Liberal Party bails out the Maritime provinces like that unemployed brother-in-law who lives on the couch.

So the phrase “Based New Brunswick” doesn’t occur often.

“Based” meant initially “being yourself without caring what others think of you.” The phrase is now common in political discussions indicating a contrary opinion that is correct.

Based New Brunswick isn’t a phrase I thought I’d ever type. But the latest news out of New Brunswick changes that.

Based New Brunswick: Private Cannabis Stores

Public health busybodies in Ontario complain about the “proliferation” of retail cannabis stores. They want a reduction. Some even go as far as to suggest the government shut down private stores and institute a Crown corporation model (like Ontario‘s liquor monopoly).

Based New Brunswick is going in the opposite direction.

On June 14, the first privately-owned cannabis store opened for business.

It’s not perfect – the store, Cannabis Xpress, has to purchase wholesale from the government. But it’s a step in the right direction.

The New Brunswick government owns 25 stores across the province. They are primarily located near denser populations. The goal of allowing privately-owned stores is to serve smaller communities better.

Three more privately-owned stores are “coming soon,” according to the New Brunswick government.

Based New Brunswick also allows for farmgate retail licensing. Currently, five cannabis producers are licensed for on-site sales directly to consumers.

The official rationale is (of course) to combat the “illicit market.” This is why the New Brunswick government requires private stores to display a QR code that consumers can scan and confirm that the private store is indeed legal.

But, in reality, it’s about revenue.

It’s much more efficient and profitable to tax private cannabis stores than to attempt a government-owned model. For confirmation, one only needs to compare Quebec‘s strict monopoly to Alberta‘s freer market.

Based New Brunswick took a cautious approach in 2018. But five years later, they’re moving in the right direction.

Based New Brunswick: “Far-Right Political Actors”

If Justin Trudeau considers you “far-right,” you’re doing something correct. That’s practically a guarantee.

Across Canada, schools have been instructing teachers to use a different name and pronoun at a student’s request. Even if the parents aren’t informed.

The based New Brunswick premier (and the Education Minister) put forward a reasonable policy. When the kids are 16 and older, schools will allow them to use a different name or pronoun according to their wishes.

Under 16? They’ll need parental consent. If they don’t get consent, schools will support them. That way, suppose the parents really are “far-right” and not just conservative; the students at least have the support from school staff to talk with their parents.

This moderate compromise recognizes a student’s right to be called whatever the hell they want while accounting for the fact that, if you’re under 16, you’re still your parents’ responsibility. Since they did, after all, literally create you. You’re their extended phenotype.

But in Trudeau’s “postnational” Canada, all nuance is lost. Justin Trudeau said “far-right political actors” are undermining children’s rights. He accused the based New Brunswick government of “cruelty and isolation” toward children.

Only radical left-wing activists believe him. And polls show Canadians are siding with the “far-right political actors” on this one.

Based New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs is willing to go to an election over the issue. And it’s about time.

Pride celebrations have become mandatory in schools. Conservative Christian and Muslim students are uncomfortable with this and have skipped classes in response. 

This prompted one Edmonton teacher to tell a Muslim immigrant student, “You don’t belong here.”

Liberal Party vs. Liberalism 

There is a world of difference between Canada’s Liberal Party and the philosophy of liberalism. And a based New Brunswick is highlighting that fact.

At its core, liberalism is “to each their own.” In other words, leaving people alone to the highest degree. Obviously, a rule of law is needed. You can’t steal, cheat, or murder. But you also can’t force people to believe the same things you do.

Adults who want to consume cannabis or switch up their names and pronouns can do so. But when it comes to children, nuance is required.

For example, a child with epilepsy needs cannabis for medical reasons. A teenager bored with school and smokes pot to pass the time should probably look for more productive things to do.

Likewise, some 12-year-olds may have gender dysphoria (as defined in the DSM-5). A trend reinforced by the corporate press captures the others.

If we’re not free to discuss and debate the issue, if all criticism is “transphobia” and “far-right,” then don’t be surprised when otherwise moderate parents actually become transphobic and far-right.

Of course, that’s likely the goal. Divide and conquer. Exploit sensitive issues for political gain.

It’s not very based. But it is effective.