44th Parl. 1st Sess.
February 7, 2022 11:00AM
- Feb/7/22 8:19:30 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, to me it looks like this crisis has everyone going around in circles.
People are going around in circles because, on the one hand, we have a government that has decided not to govern, not to assume its responsibilities, and now it is getting too late. On the other hand, we have an official opposition, the Conservatives, that has suddenly abandoned its traditional passion for law and order. Parking a 53-foot tractor trailer in the middle of the road is illegal.
Can my colleague tell me if maybe the desire for short-term political gain is exacerbating this conflict?
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- Feb/7/22 8:56:29 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his engaging and moving speech and appreciated the focus on his constituents. We cannot help but empathize. Mr. Speaker, if you had not told me, I would never have guessed that my colleague was a member of the party in power.
I started counting the number of concrete solutions he proposed, but I did not get past zero. Where is the crisis table with the police forces, as suggested by former justice minister Allan Rock? It does not exist. Where is the transparency? Where is the daily press conference with the Minister of Public Safety? The minister has not held a single one.
The Liberals need to understand that Quebeckers and Canadians gave them a minority mandate in the last election. The Liberals need to stop speaking and listening to themselves and start listening to solutions.
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- Feb/7/22 9:14:36 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to go back to the first part of my colleague's speech.
I, too, support the right to protest and freedom. However, people who believe freedom means financing illegal activities with foreign money, throwing rocks at an ambulance, preventing a child from receiving cancer treatment, setting off fireworks in densely populated areas, or setting fire to the home of someone who has filed a noise complaint, those people are not defenders of freedom, and they are not democrats.
I am very pleased to hear my colleague recognize that tyranny occurs when certain people believe that their freedom has no limits, and that their freedom is unlimited. I hope that everyone in this House recognizes this, because it is the first step to resolving the crisis we are currently dealing with.
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- Feb/7/22 9:30:33 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of things that I disagree with my colleague about, but we agree on one thing. It is important to get out and talk to our constituents.
I have talked to many of my constituents in many municipalities in my riding. Initially, these people supported the convoy enthusiastically. When I talk to them today, however, they realize that this might not have been the right solution and that breaking the law with impunity is perhaps not the way to solve problems.
Does my colleague agree with me on that at least?
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- Feb/7/22 10:33:40 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I agree with my colleague from Brandon—Souris that it is our role as opposition members to criticize the government's policies. We must do that. It is also our role to convey the suffering of our constituents, who have paid a high price during this crisis.
I commend the fact that my colleague is openly saying today that protests have to be peaceful and legal. However, we are here this evening because the protests outside are neither peaceful nor legal.
I would like to ask my colleague if tolerating behaviour like this is not a way of abandoning our work as opposition members, if only implicitly, since we are here to speak for our constituents, not for those blockading the streets.
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- Feb/7/22 11:04:34 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, the theme of my colleague's speech today was responsible leadership. However, in order for the leadership to be responsible, there has to be some leadership in the first place.
Today, I would like us to talk about perceptions. In a country that is greatly divided, people seem to be unanimous in agreeing that the government was irresponsible, did not show leadership and did not do its job, and that led to the current crisis.
This evening, it seems like the government just keeps repeating that the truckers need to leave, in hopes that that will suddenly make them decide to get up and go.
Can my colleague explain to me why all those who think there is a serious lack of leadership in this government are wrong and where that perception came from?
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- Feb/7/22 11:46:06 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for her compassionate speech. It is important to represent the voice of these people who are suffering because of what is happening right now.
It is true that some extremely inappropriate and unacceptable symbols have been brandished in this protest. No member of the House has inadvertently or unwittingly taken a photo next to these symbols. It is unacceptable.
We are being told that the government listened to all the demands of the City of Ottawa and the police services. Nonetheless, we sense the lack of leadership and we have tangible proof of it this evening, a few metres from here. Why was it not enough? What more does the government need to do?
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