44th Parl. 1st Sess.
February 20, 2022 07:00AM
- Feb/20/22 7:22:09 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, like the Conservatives, we disagree with the motion. However, I must say from the outset that we do not agree with the protesters, either. Unfortunately, I heard a number of Conservatives in the House say that there was a link to be made between the vaccine mandate and the protests outside.
Does my colleague agree with some of the members of his caucus who say that everything we are seeing right now is a result of the vaccine mandate and the provincial rules that to some degree limit personal freedoms?
I would like to hear what my colleague has to say.
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- Feb/20/22 8:20:50 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I think there are two positions that should be avoided in this debate. There is the Liberals' position, which is to deflect attention from their contemptible conduct by using an act that is very severe, in fact too severe in this case. Then there is the position of my colleague's party, which tends to justify some of the protesters' resentment.
I would like to know what he thinks. In my opinion, it is important not to legitimize the protesters' disruptive actions.
Is my colleague prepared to condemn the fact that some protesters definitely went too far?
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- Feb/20/22 9:35:46 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, in my speech, my colleague said that the government put political interests, partisanship, ahead of science.
He said that by making reference to the motion the Conservatives moved, citing Dr. Theresa Tam. Personally, I have heard many Conservative colleagues say that vaccination is annoying, but the science tells us that we have to get vaccinated.
Is my colleague in favour of vaccination? Does he agree that the best way out of this crisis is vaccination?
I would like his opinion on that.
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- Feb/20/22 9:50:29 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I do not want to be a wet blanket; far from it. I am being a little cheeky now, but I have to say, I find it rather surprising that we actually agree with the Conservative Party on the issue of freedom.
I wonder if they will stop there. If I think of conversion therapy, medical assistance in dying, and the right of women to control their bodies, the Conservatives have generally been a little more reserved when it comes to talking about freedom.
Does this signify a new beginning for the Conservative Party? Are the New Democrats not becoming more like the Conservatives? I would like to hear my colleague's thoughts on that.
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- Feb/20/22 10:37:00 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, like my colleague, I call myself a progressive.
We know that freedom movements often involve protests. I do not agree with the protesters' arguments, which, in my view are not valid. However, what worries me is that the government is using a law that in future could limit the actions of people who have valid arguments and are trying to effect social change.
Does my colleague not believe that invoking the Emergencies Act will create a terrible precedent?
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- Feb/20/22 11:21:19 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I have heard a few times this evening that the Ottawa police and the Province of Ontario were somewhat slow to respond. The member for Kingston and the Islands said it, and my colleague from Acadie—Bathurst just did as well.
To me, that sounds like an attempt to conceal the Prime Minister's turpitude. I am not looking to dump on my colleague, but I do want to ask him a question. Will the government invoke the Emergencies Act every time a police force is slow to respond? That would be completely ridiculous and unimaginable.
The crisis has subsided and things are starting to more or less get under control. Why does this act still need to be used? It kind of seems like using a bazooka to kill a mosquito.
I would like to hear my colleague's thoughts on that. I would also ask that he refrain from giving me the usual talking points.
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- Feb/20/22 11:51:27 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I have been listening to the member, who said that the Prime Minister was the sole person responsible for what happened in the streets of Ottawa. I have no particular affection for him, but I am still able to say that there are some Conservative members who made some rather concerning speeches when it came to vaccination. Some of them even enjoyed a few photo ops with the protesters, and encouraged them at the same time.
Does the member not believe that some of the responsibility lies with some of her colleagues, who were complacent toward the protesters?
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