SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 28

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
February 10, 2022 10:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 28 - Feb/10/22
Mr. Daniel Blaikie (Elmwood—Transcona, NDP)
  • Feb/10/22 11:20:16 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his speech, his words and the tone he used. I am not very familiar with the works of Camus, but I listen carefully to Dr. Theresa Tam's statements. I appreciated my colleague's comment about how the Conservatives sometimes criticize what Dr. Tam says, but then support her at other times. Dr. Tam stated that we should re-examine all mandatory measures and federal restrictions. However, today's motion does not propose a re-examination of restrictions, it comes to the conclusion that we should lift them immediately. Does my colleague believe that the motion truly reflects what Dr. Tam said, or did the Conservatives jump to conclusions about what she was proposing?
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Context: House Hansard - 28 - Feb/10/22
Mr. Daniel Blaikie (Elmwood—Transcona, NDP)
  • Feb/10/22 12:23:19 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my Conservative colleague for her speech and for trying to lead by example in terms of de-escalating the rhetoric in the House of Commons. I think that even where there continues to be disagreement, we are well served by de-escalation, and not just in the chamber but across the country. I want to zero in on something. My colleague used the phrase “public health restrictions” when perhaps she meant “public health measures”, the difference being that I think “measures” incorporates vaccine mandates as well as lower capacities, mask wearing and things of that nature. I am interested in some clarity on that. I would say this on the other side. It is important to let public health officials lead this conversation, although I think it is a conversation that we should try find a way to have within our politics as well. In places where public health restrictions have been lifted prematurely, we have often seen a sharp increase in the rate of hospitalizations. That speaks to the issue that a lot of families are going through right now as their family members face a surgery backlog in the hospital. Restrictions are important in that context. I wonder if the member wants to speak to that other side of the equation, which is how hospitals fill up when we do not have public health restrictions.
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