How to keep things safe

A reader named Lisa in Canada left a comment on the Odd and Uneasy Undercurrents post as follows:

That is one of my big concerns as well; how to keep everything safe when the government comes knocking. Here in Canada we do not actually have "private property". This means that as per our Charter of "rights" the government can come along any time and without explanation and take your land for their own use. Yep, even if you bought the place outright.

I would love to see some suggestions on how we can keep our food/supplies safe. We have large dogs but are still waiting on our gun licenses. And how does one keep their cash safe? Thanks for any suggestions and advice. - Lisa

Someone replied to Lisa as follows:

A friend put wheat, rice, sugar and other long term storage food in mylar bags and then into 5 gal buckets. He buried these in a well drained area of his yard and then put a cheap metal storage shed over the spot. He told me if he never needs it that he will never dig it up but if he does need it that it would be very unlikely anyone would have thought to move the old shed and dig up the ground undr it so it will still be there.

Money/cash may in the near future become an issue. When a country enconters serious economic problems it usually has to devalue it's currency and print new bills. This gives them a lot of power to control YOUR money. They will automatically convert your savings and investments value and you will be allowed to turn n your old cash for the new devalued cash. But it's common that they don't allow very large amounts to be converted and in fact having a large amount of cash in such perilous times might make you subject to legal/criminal sanctions. It is not uncmmn to make it illegal to own gold and maybe even silver and you will be required to sell it to the government at a price they determine. There is one loophole that usually survives and that is silver coins and possibly gold coins as well. Not "rounds" but real coins that were minted by your contry or a nearby Democratic country. Buy old Candian or American silver coins and save them for the possibility of a economic collapse. Hopefully the comming collpase will not be as bad as some historical collapses. Either way silver coins would be a good investment. A loaf of bread today is worth about a (silver) dime. Even in the event of runaway inflation and a subsequent devaluation it is probable that a loaf of bread will still be worth a silver dime more or less. Gold coins have there place but they are difficult to actually use in the event of a SHTF situation. That is if youwanted to buy a loaf of bread and all you had was a one ounce gold coin how would the person selling you the bread make change.

Guns in Canada are problematic. Can't you buy and own a shotgun? How about a decent pellet rifle. Pellet rifles are effective in taking small game. Consider a bow and arrow. Some preppers actually love bows and arrows for when TSHTF. There is a slingshot version that will shoot arrows. Here in the states black powder rifles that operate using flint or percussion caps are not heavily regulated perhaps Canada has some leeway for "antique" arms.
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I thought Lisa's questions (and the reply) were excellent and should be brought forth as a separate blog post so everyone can comment and we can all benefit.

Keeping in mind Canadian gun laws are different than laws in the U.S., what kind of advice can apply to folks on both sides of the border?

Tyranny! Coming soon to a country near you.

My jaw dropped when I read this story about a father who was arrested, strip-searched, and hauled in for questioning after his four-year-old daughter drew a picture of a gun at school. Another version of the story is found here.

This took place in Canada. Perhaps some of my Canadian readers can offer some insight about why such a heavy-handed approach was taken?

Huh? Socialization for three-year-olds?

Here's a wacky development from our neighbors to the north. Apparently a Quebec judge has ordered a homeschooling family to send their three-year-old son into daycare so he could be socialized. His five, seven, and nine year old siblings have been ordered into public schools for the same reason. Huh?

"Four children ages 9, 7, 5 and 3 from a homeschooling family in Notre-Dame-des-Bois in Québec, Canada have been ordered into public school for socialization," states this report from HSLDA. "The Roman Catholic family, who have been homeschooling their children for four years, were reported to the youth protection services (YPS) for neglect and had a four-day trial in November 2010. The judge in the case, Judge Nicole Bernier, ordered that the children remain in school or in day care until YPS officials approved a plan for socialization. However, because of apparent bias against homeschooling and these parents, this is unlikely to ever happen."

“This is a shocking decision,” said Paul Faris, president of HSLDA of Canada. “Even more concerning is the judge’s decision to order the younger children who were not of compulsory school age into day care for socialization.”

HSLDA President J. Michael Smith agreed. “It’s incredible that a judge in Canada would order three-and-half and five-year-old children into public-funded day care for socialization reasons. From what we know of this Catholic family, they have worked very hard to provide an adequate education for their children which included opportunities for social interaction with others. We are gravely concerned with this decision,” he said.

I wasn't aware that Canada was so intolerant toward homeschooling. Or am I wrong? Is it just this wacky judge or is it Canada as a whole which leans toward being hostile to homeschooling families?

I'd love to hear from any Canadian readers on this topic.