Authoritarians in Canada are embracing the tactic of banning celebrations and Canada Day is their prime target following fresh announcements from some cities saying they will cancel or modify traditional July 1 celebrations again this year.

A demoralized citizenry is easier for authoritarians to control than a prideful and happy populace. Totalitarian regimes have a long history of banning celebrations and social gatherings in order to keep citizen morale low and subservience to the state high.