Hon. Michael L. MacDonald: Honourable senators, I would like to take this moment, my earliest opportunity in this chamber, to address the comments I made last week.

Last Wednesday evening, while walking back to my hotel after a late supper with my colleagues, I was approached by a man who wanted to speak to me about the protests in Ottawa. I said yes — but only on the condition that it was off the record and not recorded. He agreed. I later discovered that was not the case.

I left the impression that I agree with trucks being illegally parked downtown, and I made some mangled remarks about the sentiments of people in Ottawa regarding the protest.

First, I want to apologize to the people of Ottawa for my clumsy language. It was not my intention to disparage anyone. Like many Canadians, I’m mentally exhausted after two years of lockdowns and a third year facing more of the same. I support the desire to open this country up — a sentiment that was stated initially by the truckers and later supported by many Canadians across the country who showed up on Parliament Hill.

I appreciate how frustrating this has been for the people of Ottawa. Over the past 12 years, I have experienced many noisy demonstrations on the lawn in front of Parliament, directly below my office. I don’t always agree with the causes being advanced, but I strongly believe in the right of peaceful protest. When I arrived for work over three weeks ago and saw the trucks all over Wellington Street, I could not believe that this was allowed to occur. Ottawa has a professional, well-trained, modern police force, which — if properly directed — is more than capable of preventing a situation like this from developing. This failure is the responsibility of city hall.

Yes, I am one of the many fortunate people in this country who didn’t have to worry about the pandemic affecting my regular paycheque because I am paid by the taxpayer. Politicians and bureaucrats at all three levels of the government nationwide, academics, teachers, employees of the military, anyone drawing a good pension and anyone directly or indirectly paid by the taxpayer across this country endure the restrictions put on people’s lives with little worry. But over half the people in this country don’t have that security. That’s what I was trying to express. That those of us in secure positions should put ourselves in the shoes of those in Canada who don’t have income security and certainty.

It is time we stand up for those working men and women who only get paid when they create their own income. In today’s Canada, families are being destroyed, businesses are being lost, depression is rising and children are falling behind in their education. I have never seen this country so unhappy and divided, and people so stressed. A lot of people are falling through the cracks. And if this unfortunate episode brings some attention to this unacceptable truth, then my present embarrassment will have accomplished something positive.

I assure all my colleagues that I am contrite. I have always tried to be a responsible and actively engaged senator. I love this city and working toward the betterment of my country. I’m sorry to those I disappointed. I particularly want to apologize to my wife, who is the salt of the earth and the rock of my family. I expect better from me and I will do better going forward.

Thank you.