44th Parl. 1st Sess.
February 21, 2022 07:00AM
- Feb/21/22 2:50:09 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, what we have seen is another reversal: A party that once tried to characterize itself as a party of law and order has now abandoned all pretext of supporting law and order in this country.
We have heard unequivocally from the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, from the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, from the police rank and file and from the police commanders who are restoring peace and order to our city that these measures are necessary and appropriate. Frankly, we are used to the flip-flops, but this one is extraordinary.
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- Feb/21/22 2:50:52 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the trucks outside are gone. The protests are over. There are no more blockades. However, the Prime Minister is still determined to punish those involved under the Emergencies Act, where there is no due process to protect the innocent. Worse yet, he does this with the NDP's support.
When did the Prime Minister lose all respect for the charter and when did the NDP lose their way?
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- Feb/21/22 2:51:21 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as my hon. colleague has now heard on several occasions, the tools we are using under the Emergencies Act are very practical, very targeted and very measured. We are talking about designating secure zones. We are talking about choking off illegal funds that could be used to aid and abet the illegal blockades. We are talking about rapidly deploying the RCMP so that we can restore public safety here in Ottawa. It is all of these things.
The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police has supported this. The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police has supported it. The Canadian Police Association, which is for the rank and file of police and frontline responders day in and day out, supports the Emergencies Act.
When will the party of law and order actually support the opinions of the law and order?
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- Feb/21/22 2:52:04 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, this party does not support the Charter of Rights. It also does not seem to understand that continued use of the Emergencies Act for the Prime Minister's political purposes will only further divide Canadians. Former NDP MP Svend Robinson said that a very dangerous precedent is being set.
Why has the Prime Minister not rescinded these emergency powers today?
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- Feb/21/22 2:52:33 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the short answer is because we are listening to law enforcement, who have given us a very considered view that threats remain to our communities here in Ottawa and to the neighbourhoods here in Ottawa, which have for far too long been under siege. We are listening to law enforcement about the threats that remain at our borders, where trade corridors and supply chains are vital to the Canadian economy and to keeping Canadians at work. That is why we continue to use the Emergencies Act, but we are doing it in a responsible, measured way, consistent with the charter. We will sunset the Emergencies Act as soon as we can.
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- Feb/21/22 2:53:13 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, tensions are escalating again between Russia and Ukraine. Armed conflict is imminent.
Let us look at the evidence. Even though no Russian soldier has set foot in Ukraine yet, the country is already under attack. For weeks, the Government of Canada has been claiming it will impose harsh sanctions against Russia in the event of an invasion. The attack has started, and Ukraine needs support from its allies now, not once it is too late.
Will the government immediately issue preventive sanctions to dissuade Moscow from taking action?
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- Feb/21/22 2:53:50 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows, we are indeed ready to impose severe economic sanctions should Russia further invade Ukraine, an invasion that has been going on for many years. We are working closely with allies: the U.S., the U.K. and the EU. Sanctions are always most effective when they are done in lockstep with other countries. That is exactly what we do as we stand with the Ukrainian people and with Ukraine.
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- Feb/21/22 2:54:20 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Ukraine is calling on its allies to impose sanctions immediately.
Moscow has already announced that it recognizes the independence of the Donbass territories, which is the first step toward annexing them. Ukraine is already experiencing cyber-attacks, a naval blockade, military pressure, and a disinformation campaign seeking to justify an invasion.
Last week, the Minister of Foreign Affairs said that the sanctions will come into effect on day one of an attack.
The attack has started. Will Canada fire a warning shot and immediately impose sanctions against Moscow?
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- Feb/21/22 2:54:56 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Canada remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
We strongly condemn Russia's decision to recognize the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in Ukraine. This is a serious violation of the Minsk agreements and article 2, paragraph 4, of the United Nations Charter, and a threat to the security and stability of the region.
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- Feb/21/22 2:55:31 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians are not easily fooled, and even the Prime Minister's caucus is growing increasingly nervous about his reckless governance.
The Prime Minister claims he has no other choice but to invoke emergency measures. Today, he is turning this into a confidence issue for his own caucus. The emergency measures constitute a precedent that must not be taken lightly. What is more, the Prime Minister is telling us that these measures will be maintained for three months as a precaution.
Is he telling us that he will invoke emergency measures every time his leadership is in crisis?
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- Feb/21/22 2:56:04 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, since the illegal blockades started, the government has taken many concrete measures, such as giving police forces extra resources.
At the same time, the Emergencies Act continues to be necessary to help police prevent further illegal blockades. We want to sunset the act as soon as we can.
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- Feb/21/22 2:56:35 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Parliament Hill is now cleared. Most of the charges in Ottawa involve trespassing and mischief. Tow truck operators were already compelled to help authorities before the Emergencies Act. Our borders were cleared prior to the law, which has never been used before, was activated. Organizations such as the Canadian Civil Liberties Association tell us that the government is not limiting the act to just Ottawa. It applies universally across the country. It does not target just one specific protest. It applies to every single Canadian.
Going forward, how often does the Prime Minister plan to use this tool of last resort as a tool of first resort?
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- Feb/21/22 2:57:18 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I think even the member opposite would acknowledge that, when we see the type of criminality that was taking place on the streets of Ottawa, and when we see the attacks on our critical infrastructure and the cutting off of vital supply lines into this country, it constitutes an emergency because of the harm committed against our country and our citizens.
We are prepared to do what is required. We are working very closely with law enforcement, who have the important task of restoring the rule of law to our streets, protecting our citizens and our critical infrastructure. We will only use those measures as long as they are required.
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- Feb/21/22 2:57:58 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the Emergencies Act is intended to be a last resort to deal with a clear, imminent threat. It is not a sledgehammer to deal with some future unknown crisis. There is no security threat. The streets are empty and the blockades are gone. There is no threat to our democracy. We are here in the House of Commons, with the world watching, about to have a critical vote.
If there is no threat, will the Prime Minister end his abuse of the Emergencies Act, or is this just a ploy to ensure that the infringements on Canadians' charter rights and our bank accounts are permanent?
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- Feb/21/22 2:58:35 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I had hoped that the member would have seen over the course of the last number of days that this is far from using a sledgehammer. The police have shown restraint. They have been patient, and they have been professional in carrying out their responsibilities under the Emergencies Act, which they continue to say is necessary to bring about the end of the illegal occupation here in Ottawa and across the country.
There are still risks, but I assure every member in this House that we will sunset the Emergencies Act as soon as we can and, in the meantime, the powers exercised under it will be done in a manner consistent with the charter.
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- Feb/21/22 2:59:58 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, for the last three weeks, law enforcement partners have been coordinating their efforts to end illegal blockades and disruptions in Ottawa and at border crossings. The RCMP have assisted municipal and provincial forces when requested, helping to stop unlawful protesters and restoring the freedoms and livelihoods of all Canadians.
Why is the continued use of the Emergencies Act necessary to ensure Canadians' livelihood and quality of life are protected?
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- Feb/21/22 3:00:28 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my hon. colleague for all of his hard work in representing his community. He will know why the Emergencies Act continues to be necessary. In Surrey at the Pacific Highway, we saw a recent effort to once again obstruct trade corridors, which has a direct and significant impact on the economy and on Canadian jobs.
I know that is a central concern for the hon. colleague. I hope it is for all members in this chamber. I hope that tonight everyone will see fit to support the passage of the Emergencies Act, so we can end the illegal blockades, and so we can get life back to normal as quickly as possible.
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- Feb/21/22 3:01:09 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I asked a serious question earlier, which the Attorney General did not answer. I asked whether or not the Attorney General or the Department of Justice had rendered a legal opinion regarding the public order emergency powers and the charter. Surely his answer to my question was not the sum total of that legal opinion, if it exists. Therefore, I will ask the question again. Is there a legal opinion, yes or no? If there is, will the government release it to the House ahead of this evening's vote?
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- Feb/21/22 3:01:44 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, if the hon. member was a lawyer he would understand that I would not answer that question. I speak as the Attorney General for the Government of Canada. In giving my legal opinion, I have assured this House, and I have assured the Canadian public, that I feel that we have met the legal standards based on the decision and that—
Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
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- Feb/21/22 3:02:11 p.m.
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I can stand here all day and wait for everybody to come to order to bring the temperature down a bit.
I know the Minister of Justice was trying to answer the question. I will give him 10 seconds to finish up.
The hon. Minister of Justice and Attorney General.
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