Petty bureaucrats pushing their weight around
Tobacco inspector believe that because ten years ago we sold tobacco, he has a right to search us from top to bottom without a search warrant. He comes into the store pushes his way behind the counter and starts searching through our drawers, the clerk phones me. I come down and ask him for identification. He tells me he'll give me identification after the inspection is done. I tell him to get out. He refuses. At one point, he aggressively pushes his belly aganist mine. I remind him that there are cameras everywhere. Then he runs out from behind our counter and demands that the basement door be unlocked. I tell him no.
He is used to pushing around new immigrants to Canada who own convenience stores and in fact the legislation he works under provides for warrantless searches. I ask to be fined for refusing an inspection, he refuses to fine me. They are too cowardly to fight in court and they realize their warrantless search powers would not stand up to a Charter challenge.
It has been a year since they visited me, I'm still waiting for my ticket for my day in court. Come on! Issue me a summons for failure to comply, I fucking dare you.
