44th Parl. 1st Sess.
February 17, 2022 10:00AM
- Feb/17/22 4:07:21 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, while my colleague was speaking, we got a notification about a perimeter being erected around Ottawa's downtown just a few metres from here. Apparently the police are preparing to intervene.
Things are getting more and more serious now. All of this could have been avoided. Here is my question for my colleague.
What happens next? Is there any way to avoid chaos, physical confrontation and injury? Are we headed straight for a bloodbath?
76 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/17/22 5:26:54 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, my colleague from La Prairie spoke about trilogies, but I for one am interested in the fourth instalment, something like Police Academy.
The member also used the term “atomic bomb”. I think the use of this new Emergencies Act is historic. I have never seen anything like it. The act is unique, and there is nothing more powerful. The situation needs to be absolutely critical.
The situation only became so bad because of a lack of leadership. The government invoked the act on Monday, but today is Thursday. What has been going on the past three days? Where is the leadership?
105 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/17/22 6:06:26 p.m.
- Watch
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for her speech and the references she made to democracy. Today, my democracy is suffering. I am concerned about my democracy. It seems to me that the Emergencies Act or the War Measures Act is the final weapon in a democracy.
This week, we heard protesters say that they would keep going and would not stand down. That is usually a left-wing slogan, but now we are hearing it from the right. However, as the member mentioned, the left and the right are no longer relevant here.
The government's attitude is that it is going to plow ahead. However, at some point, we must talk to one another. The government did not show leadership on this. Is my colleague's democracy suffering today as well?
133 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/17/22 6:23:10 p.m.
- Watch
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Fundy Royal for his speech and for rising to oppose the Emergencies Act. I am doing so as well. I remember that, in question period either last week or the week before, because this situation has been going on for three weeks, the government was asked why it was not taking action, why it was not moving, why it was not doing anything about the protesters. The answer was that it was up to Ottawa police to handle the situation. Three weeks later, the government invoked the Emergencies Act. It makes no sense. How did we get to this point?
The Ottawa police chief announced that they are finally going to take action. What is the member expecting to happen this weekend?
129 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/17/22 6:51:13 p.m.
- Watch
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Saanich—Gulf Islands for her speech. I know she is a great democrat, perhaps one of the best in this House.
She gave a detailed, nuanced and constructive analysis. We have not heard a lot of constructive comments or a focus on dialogue from the government these days.
My democracy is suffering too, under the circumstances. I am very concerned about the fact that the government is responding so radically with the Emergencies Act.
Could my colleague share her thoughts on the government's arrogance, lack of planning and demagoguery, especially since it announced it was invoking the Emergencies Act?
108 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/17/22 7:11:09 p.m.
- Watch
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for sharing that he is finding this difficult, that he is troubled about it and that it is not easy for him to approve this measure. I appreciate his honesty.
However, he also said that he was not giving the Liberals and the government a blank cheque by supporting this measure, which I do not understand. How is the NDP's support not a blank cheque? What kind of measures would it take for his party to see reason and reject the use of this act? What would it take to change his mind?
100 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
