Consider the tools of a journalist: notepad and pen, tape recorder, camera, video camera, cell phone. All the low-tech and high-tech stuff a scribe needs to understand the story.

But for the first time in my 36-year story-hunting career, I have some new must-have gear thanks to Justin Trudeau’s election campaign: namely, a pair of steel-toed boots.

By way of explanation, I recently covered a Trudeau campaign event in Richmond Hill, Ontario. It took place outdoors in the parking lot of a shopping mall, so it was impossible for the Prime Minister’s security to ban non-compliant media.

Trudeau was there to support the fortune of MP Majid Jowhari, who won the constituency in 2019 by a photo-finish of 0.2% after the counting of the postal ballots. (Hmm… where did we hear that one before?)

Let it be known that the riding of Richmond Hill has a large Iranian population. I have lived in this city for over two decades, and I can tell you with certainty that every Persian I have met here is someone who fled their homeland for a better life, given that Iran after 1979 became an authoritarian state. and the world’s largest sponsor of terrorism.

So, isn’t it downright inexplicable that this MP is a pro-Iranian regime? Jowhari tweeted congratulatory words to the “elected” Iranian government and even held meetings with members of the Iranian regime. It also supports the reestablishment of the Iranian Embassy in Ottawa. And the odious list goes on …

Even though I was considered non grata media here, I nevertheless introduced myself and asked questions of Trudeau and Jowhari, both of whom appeared to be selectively deaf that day, as none of my rude questions were answered.

But here’s the thing: While I posed absolutely no physical threat to these adorable Liberals, Trudeau’s thug squad treated me like I was a clear and present danger. They blocked me, they entered me, they complained about my little selfie stick (while closing their eyes to a CTV film crew with a huge boom microphone). And worst of all, they secretly assaulted me by intentionally stepping on my toes. By the way, this is a great way to assault someone – keep them under your belt in a crowd of people, so that no camera can capture the incident.

And it’s hard to miss a direct hit on my Hush Puppies because I’m a size 13 wide. That’s a lot of clodhopper real estate that the mounted police have to tread on. Again, I have to look on the bright side: they didn’t use their horses to do the stomping. If that had been the case, I would probably still be in the hospital.

But seriously, folks, imagine if this had happened to a Radio-Canada or one Toronto Star journalist? I think a royal commission would already be underway …

In any case, I have learned my lesson when it comes to equipping yourself with another type of PPE. So I recently visited my friendly neighborhood Mister Safety Shoes store to purchase some must-have new journalism gear: a pair of Timberland steel-toed boots.

Certainly, wearing such construction shoes can seem somewhat shocking when paired with a business suit. But at New rebels, we strive to bring you the other side of the story. And if that means wearing armored shoes, so be it.