On concealed agendas

Just because the Cons have no credibility in decrying popular protest as a means of political change doesn't mean they won't do their best to undermine activism now that they have full control over the levers of power. And they're going out of their way to impose costs on citizens who want to be involved in pushing for change.

Here's the reality facing some participants in the Occupy movement:

This girl did not want her face revealed, because she is looking for work and is afraid public protesting will harm her chances with an employer. When she’s not covering her face with this sign, she wore a bandanna pulled up over the lower half of her face, which made her look a little dangerous and mysterious.

And needless to say, the Cons want to make sure that such fear keeps citizens from demonstrating altogether:

Mr. Blake Richards (Wild Rose, CPC) moved for leave to introduce Bill C-309, An Act to amend the Criminal code (concealment of identity).

He said: Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise today in the House to introduce my private member's bill, the preventing persons from concealing their identity during riots and unlawful assemblies act. This act would amend the Criminal Code to make it an offence to wear a mask or other disguise to conceal one's identity while taking part in a riot or unlawful assembly.

This would give the tool to police to first, hopefully prevent these kinds of things from getting out of hand; and, second, if and when they do, it would give them another tool to punish those who were involved in these kinds of things and ensure they do not get too far out of hand.