It’s definitely starting to feel like March 2020, as provinces all started increasing restrictions in advance of Christmas—some of them insufficient, and too late, but they are taking some actions nevertheless. (That, and they’re not all honest about what has been happening with rapid tests—looking most especially at the incompetent murderclown Doug Ford). Federally, the border measures are getting even tougher with negative PCR tests being required even for trips that are less than 72 hours in duration (and those PRC tests need to have been done out-of-country), while the travel ban on those ten African countries is now lifted as omicron has already achieved community spread in Canada and such a ban is now useless.

Prime minister Justin Trudeau is trying to offer some reassurances that we have the benefit of knowledge that we didn’t have during the first wave, and that Canadians know enough to do what it takes to curb the spread of the virus. I suspect that may be a bit overly optimistic considering that too many people will do what the government allows them to, so don’t take all of the precautions necessary to actually curb the spread.

Meanwhile, here’s an exploration of some of the psychological reactions that are being seen and felt to the rapid onset of omicron, where fatigue of the “new normal” is starting to overtake compliance to health measures, and the need to start thinking about what the world looks like if we have COVID forever now.

Good reads:

• As part of his year-ender with The Canadian Press, Trudeau spoke about his antipathy for the notwithstanding clause, much as his father had.
• The Senate passed Bills C-2 and C-3, and both have now received royal assent, so the government was able to get all of its priority legislation passed before the break.
• PEI is creating a citizen’s assembly to design a proportional representation system for the province (and good luck that this doesn’t turn into a gong show).
• A Manitoba judge has tossed Shelly Glover’s challenge to the Manitoba PC leadership results, saying that there weren’t irregularities to warrant a new election.
• Canadian Forces personnel have wrapped up their mission to assist with the natural disasters in BC.
• Kevin Carmichael has a year-end interview with Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem about the state of inflation (with a sidebar on the possible omicron effect).
• Matt Gurney is having none of Trudeau’s exasperation with the “lazy cynicism” of the left, and points out the bigger problem is the expectations Trudeau set.
• My weekend column looks at how the “new” Senate has neglected to do its proper job and due diligence with two government bills this session so far.

Odds and ends:

Here is an interview with the new Dominion Sculptor, who will be working on the restoration of Centre Block, as well as creating new pieces in the building.

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