Senator Plett: The implication was very clear, Senator Gold. It wasn’t just Prime Minister Trudeau that did it; Minister Joly did it as well. They both are not worth the cost.

Tuesday night, just down the street, people leaving an anti‑Semitism conference were told to exit through the back door for their safety due to angry protesters outside. That’s the context in which the Prime Minister used such poor judgment.

After eight long years, he has no common sense and provides no serious leadership. Isn’t this a time that requires both?

Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Senator Gold, on Tuesday, news outlets worldwide repeated a claim by Hamas that Israel had attacked a hospital in Gaza, killing innocent civilians. The rush to judgment that followed the CBC included Prime Minister Trudeau. He said both in the House and outside to reporters that the strike was unacceptable, illegal and international law must be upheld.

The timing of these comments implied he believed Israel was responsible, a story spread by a group our country officially recognizes as terrorists.

Prime Minister Trudeau is simply not worth the cost to Canada’s reputation. Is it too much to expect him to show common sense, leader, and speak with sober second thought, especially at such a dangerous time as this?

Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): I’ll start, but first of all, let me echo Senator Dasko’s invitation. Although it may be her hometown, she fled Winnipeg — I’m not sure why.

I am still there, but I would also encourage you to come and visit the wonderful Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

Thank you, Senator Kutcher, for your speech — I agree with all aspects of it. I’m not Ukrainian; I’m Mennonite. But, of course, after the Mennonites left Holland, they went to Poland. They fled communism there and went to Ukraine, and many of them suffered and died during the Holodomor as well.

There are many similarities between Mennonites and Ukrainians — certainly varenyky being one of them.

Senator Kutcher, thank you; I do want to speak to this. I appreciate what you have said.

Your Honour, with that in mind, I will prepare my notes, and I would like to adjourn for the balance of my time.

(On motion of Senator Plett, debate adjourned.)