44th Parl. 1st Sess.
February 15, 2022 10:00AM
- Feb/15/22 2:22:04 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, let us get down to the basics of what this is really about.
This is about the Prime Minister's ideological attachment to keeping COVID restrictions and mandates. Sixty-three percent of Canadians want the restrictions and mandates to end. Conservatives presented a motion yesterday simply asking for a plan, but the Prime Minister is in denial and is ignoring the science. He might as well be back at the cottage, because he is doing nothing productive or constructive to help this situation.
Can the Prime Minister tell Canadians when he will end the divisive, outdated and unscientific mandates and restrictions?
103 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:22:47 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, like I said, this is a time for responsible leadership to end these blockades. Unfortunately, the Conservatives continue to play partisan games.
The Conservative member for Provencher, just yesterday—
Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
37 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:23:01 p.m.
- Watch
I am sorry, but I am going to have to interrupt the Prime Minister for a second. Heckling is usually throwing one comment out, and hopefully it is a clever one, although not necessarily. However, what I am hearing is someone bullying and trying to drown someone out. That is not heckling. I would like everyone to take a deep breath.
I will let the Prime Minister start from the top, please.
72 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:23:25 p.m.
- Watch
The hon. member for Louis-Saint-Laurent.
7 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:23:25 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, we see that even in a moment of extremely challenging times, when people are moving forward with responsible leadership and responsible tools, the Conservatives themselves cannot help but play crass political games and divide.
The Conservative member for Provencher, just yesterday, embraced the leaders of this blockade and amplified their cause. The Conservative member for Yorkton—Melville said this weekend that the blockaders who ripped down the fencing around our National War Memorial are patriots. The Conservative leadership contender from Carleton continues to say he is proud—
92 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:24:13 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, for 17 days, the Prime Minister did not lift a finger to help with what was happening here in Ottawa. At one point, he insulted those who were not listening to him and who did not share his point of view. As a result, yesterday, the Prime Minister invoked a law that has not been used in 50 years.
He said that he consulted the premiers. That is not true. He actually just informed the premiers of what was going to happen, because half of them are against this course of action. Premier François Legault made that very clear when he said that the Prime Minister of Canada was adding fuel to the fire.
Why does the Prime Minister always try to cover up his inaction?
133 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:24:56 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, from the start, we have been working responsibly with local authorities and the various levels of government to deal with these illegal blockades.
We will continue to ensure that local police have all the tools they need. That is exactly what we did yesterday, by providing additional tools that the police can use to deal with blockades and barricades.
Unfortunately, I know that Conservative politicians tend to support those who are blocking our economy and communities. We do not.
84 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:25:39 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, over the past few days, Canadians have all seen situations improve without the need for the Emergencies Act.
It happened in Ontario and in Alberta, and it could have happened here in Ottawa. Instead, the Prime Minister chose to invoke an act that has not been used in 50 years. He continues to stigmatize, divide and insult people who disagree with him, instead of trying to find a compromise.
Why does the Prime Minister refuse to listen to the Canadians who agree with his Liberal MP from Louis-Hébert and want a prime minister who can bring people together?
103 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:26:16 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are tired of COVID‑19 and the restrictions. They are also tired of having people blockading their streets and restricting their access to goods and services and their jobs.
That is why we had to take responsible action to enable the provinces and local authorities to keep our supply chains and streets free from illegal protests.
We will continue to be there to support law enforcement with tools that are compliant with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, to protect the values and—
89 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:26:56 p.m.
- Watch
The hon. member for Beloeil—Chambly.
7 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:26:59 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, Ottawa has lost control over Ottawa.
Interestingly, the situation at the Ambassador Bridge was resolved without the Emergencies Act. The situation in Coutts and the weapons seizure happened without the Emergencies Act. The situation in Quebec was managed just fine without the Emergencies Act.
Yesterday the Prime Minister pledged that the measures would be geographically targeted, but that is not what the order says. Will the Prime Minister make it clear that this order does not apply to Quebec?
81 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:27:40 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the Emergencies Act gives police forces nation-wide more tools to respond to emergency situations like the ones we have seen across the country.
True, many of the barricades in many parts of the country have been handled effectively. However, the risk remains. Local police services in Quebec and elsewhere will have additional tools if they need them.
These are responsible, proportionate measures that local police services can use if necessary.
73 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:28:24 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the parties at the Quebec National Assembly do not want it. The Government of Quebec does not want it. The Bloc Québécois does not want it. I am hearing from the neighbouring benches that the people of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba do not want it.
Is the Prime Minister shopping around his “just watch me” moment by imposing a law in Quebec against Quebec?
72 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:28:54 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the Emergencies Act applies to illegal blockades and occupations that may arise anywhere across the country.
It is a response that we have brought forward that is reasonable, proportionate, time-limited and geographically targeted, and still protects the values and freedoms in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
We are reacting in a responsible manner, and we will continue to be there for Canadians who are suffering.
70 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:29:40 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, sadly, we are in this crisis because we have seen a failure to take the crisis seriously at all levels of government. Now we are seeing indigenous and racialized people look at the double standard of how the convoy is being treated compared to those protestors. We also have deeply disturbing reports of military and police personnel who have expressed sympathy and support for the convoy.
Will the Prime Minister provide assurances in the House that the police will use the powers given to protect people and not support the occupation?
93 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:30:19 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the measured and reasonable use of the Emergencies Act that we announced yesterday gives specific, time-limited, proportional tools to police of local jurisdictions, and their partners, to ensure these illegal blockades end, and make sure that people, who have now been fully heard by all Canadians, choose to go home. These are the things that Canadians expect from their orders of government.
I can say that we have worked extremely closely across orders of government with all the different police of jurisdictions to ensure that Canadians get their streets and their lives back.
96 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:31:04 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, this is a national crisis, and we have seen the impact it is having. Weapons were found in Coutts, and the situation in Ottawa is deteriorating. It has become quite clear that it is time to put an end to the occupation. It is also clear that there is no occupation in Quebec.
Is the Prime Minister prepared to make the commitment that the emergency measures will not be applied where they are not needed?
77 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:31:37 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the Emergencies Act provides additional tools for governments and local police forces supported by the RCMP if needed.
We will not impose measures anywhere in the country where they are not needed. These are tools that local police are free to use at their discretion, but it is a matter of ensuring that everyone has the tools they need to end these illegal blockades.
66 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:32:18 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the invocation of the Emergencies Act for the first time in Canadian history is a damning indictment on the failure of the Prime Minister to address the situation. The Prime Minister once said, “when a government asks its citizens to give up even a small portion of their liberty...it is not [simply] enough...to say: ‘trust us.’ That trust must be earned. It must be checked. And it must be renewed.” Those were his words.
Canadians do not trust the Prime Minister. When will he stop undermining Canadians’ rights and start renewing Canadians' trust?
102 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:32:54 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, Canadians can trust that this government will always follow the science and the best evidence to get us out of this pandemic. That includes getting vaccinated.
Contrary to what my colleague says, this is an illegal blockade. This illegal blockade is not about the vaccines or the mandates. It is about a very small, organized group that is trying to upend our way of life. Now, we have made progress. We have seen the Ambassador Bridge reopen, we have seen Coutts reopen and we have seen Surrey reopen. Yes, yesterday, we invoked the Emergencies Act so we can secure that progress and give law enforcement all the tools they need.
112 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
