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Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 31

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
February 15, 2022 10:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 31 - Feb/15/22
Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)
  • Feb/15/22 2:26:16 p.m.
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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—
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The Speaker
  • Feb/15/22 2:26:56 p.m.
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The hon. member for Beloeil—Chambly.
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Mr. Yves-François Blanchet (Beloeil—Chambly, BQ)
  • Feb/15/22 2:26:59 p.m.
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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?
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Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)
  • Feb/15/22 2:27:40 p.m.
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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.
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Mr. Yves-François Blanchet (Beloeil—Chambly, BQ)
  • Feb/15/22 2:28:24 p.m.
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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?
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Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)
  • Feb/15/22 2:28:54 p.m.
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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.
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Mr. Jagmeet Singh (Burnaby South, NDP)
  • Feb/15/22 2:29:40 p.m.
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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?
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Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)
  • Feb/15/22 2:30:19 p.m.
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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.
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Mr. Jagmeet Singh (Burnaby South, NDP)
  • Feb/15/22 2:31:04 p.m.
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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?
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Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)
  • Feb/15/22 2:31:37 p.m.
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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.
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Mr. Dane Lloyd (Sturgeon River—Parkland, CPC)
  • Feb/15/22 2:32:18 p.m.
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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?
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Hon. Marco Mendicino (Minister of Public Safety, Lib.)
  • Feb/15/22 2:32:54 p.m.
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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.
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Mr. Dane Lloyd (Sturgeon River—Parkland, CPC)
  • Feb/15/22 2:33:33 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we shall see if the Prime Minister answers this one. At every opportunity he has had to de-escalate the situation in Ottawa and around Canada, he has chosen to hide, confront and escalate. His divisive conduct has been a lesson in abject failure. Blockades should come down. They are already coming down across this country, but now the Prime Minister has invoked the Emergencies Act to punish Canadians who, in his words, hold “unacceptable views”. Why is the Prime Minister punishing Canadians for their political views?
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Hon. Mark Holland (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)
  • Feb/15/22 2:34:12 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it was not long ago that the former Conservative leader, the member for Regina—Qu'Appelle with the Conservative Party, said: These protesters, these activists, may have the luxury of spending days at a time at a blockade, but they need to check their privilege.... They need to check their privilege, and let people whose jobs depend on the railway system, small businesses and farmers do their jobs. What have they said now, in this context, from the beginning, as swastikas and Confederate flags flew? They went out and they gave out coffee. They took pictures. They have been absolutely the opposite of responsible leadership. Instead of de-escalating, they escalated at every turn.
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Mr. Joël Godin (Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, CPC)
  • Feb/15/22 2:35:13 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we all want to resolve the impasse in front of Parliament in Ottawa, and we want it to end quickly and peacefully. Because this government failed to act earlier, now it has to play catch-up and is invoking the Emergencies Act. The government should have emulated the provincial premiers, who managed to control the protests without any special legislation. Will the Prime Minister commit to not using any powers under the Emergencies Act in the many provinces that oppose it?
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Hon. Mark Holland (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)
  • Feb/15/22 2:35:48 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it was the former leader of the Conservative Party, currently the member for Regina—Qu'Appelle, who once said that it was completely unacceptable for protests to block essential infrastructure. What is the Conservative Party doing today? It is out there taking photos, tweeting and encouraging protesters, which is irresponsible, considering the protests are costing billions of dollars. It is completely irresponsible.
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Mr. Joël Godin (Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, CPC)
  • Feb/15/22 2:36:26 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it is the government that is being irresponsible. I will repeat my question, and I invite the leader to listen. Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Alberta and Quebec no longer want health measures. What is the government waiting for? It must commit to not forcing the provinces to impose health measures.
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Hon. Mark Holland (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)
  • Feb/15/22 2:36:57 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we are all responsible. Each member is responsible for protecting the law and Canadians. This responsibility belongs to each member, not just to the Government of Canada and not just to this side of the House of Commons. I want to clearly state that it is time to stop tweeting and supporting the people protesting outside. The protests must come to an end. It is time to be reasonable, and it is time for the Conservative Party to act responsibly.
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Mrs. Stephanie Kusie (Calgary Midnapore, CPC)
  • Feb/15/22 2:37:38 p.m.
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Are you done now? For two years, the Prime Minister has insisted he is making decisions—
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The Speaker
  • Feb/15/22 2:37:44 p.m.
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I want to remind hon. members to place their questions through the Speaker. I will let the hon. member restart her question.
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