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Mr. Francis Drouin (Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, Lib.)

Feb/14/22 2:13:55 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of a young athlete from my riding. Valérie Grenier, who hails from Saint‑Isidore, is a member of the Olympic alpine ski team. The people of Glengarry—Prescott—Russell are proud to stand behind her. Valérie Grenier is an inspiration to all Canadians. During these unpredictable and unprecedented times, she has shown courage and resilience. Her journey will inspire a new generation of athletes in our region. We are proud to see her at the Olympic Games and we will continue to cheer her on. She has dedicated herself to her sport for a long time now, and her hard work certainly points to her success. I encourage all athletes proudly representing the maple leaf to savour every second of this unique experience. Canada is so proud of them. Congratulations, Valérie Grenier.

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Ms. Niki Ashton (Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, NDP)

Feb/14/22 2:14:52 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, today, February 14, marks the annual memorial march in honour of missing and murdered indigenous women and 2SLGBTQQIA people. Every single first nation, Métis and urban community in our region has been devastated by the loss of a loved one who was brutally murdered or forcibly disappeared. As the inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women pointed out, this is genocide. Two hundred and thirty-one calls to justice must be realized, from ending poverty to providing housing. These are actions rooted in the absolute need for decolonization. At a time when much attention has been given to the illegal occupation of our capital, we are clear that the systems of settler colonialism, including policing, are part of the problem when it comes to violence against indigenous women. Today we remember and honour them, and we recommit to pushing for action now. We cannot rest until no indigenous woman, girl or two-spirited person goes missing or is murdered again. There must be justice now.

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Mr. Maxime Blanchette-Joncas (Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, BQ)

Feb/14/22 2:15:59 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today in honour of the 100th anniversary of Saint‑Narcisse‑de‑Rimouski. On February 13, 1922, a section of Haut‑Pays‑de‑la‑Neigette split from Sainte‑Blandine, giving rise to the municipality of Saint‑Narcisse‑de‑Rimouski. At the time, the first residents of Saint‑Narcisse‑de‑Rimouski were determined to live on and work the hinterland, clearing the land, working with their hands, and raising their families. One hundred years later, the community of Saint‑Narcisse‑de‑Rimouski is proud of its roots but firmly focused on the future. The central importance of agriculture and forestry to this community is a testament to the legacy of these builders, while the municipality's tourism sector and many cultural activities help it thrive and showcase its festive spirit all year long. Both the Festival de la fenaison agricultural festival and the popular snow blowing races at the Carnaval d'hiver winter festival attest to the life and energy of this community, making it clear that Saint‑Narcisse‑de‑Rimouski is a great place to live. I wish the people of Saint‑Narcisse‑de‑Rimouski a happy 100th anniversary.

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Mr. Eric Duncan (Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, CPC)

Feb/14/22 2:17:12 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, today Canadians are awaiting the vote on our Conservative motion calling for a plan and timeline to end all federal mandates and restrictions in Canada. For over two years, Canadians have done what is asked of them. They followed the rules. They did what it took to get us to a point where we can finally see the end of this pandemic. Other similar countries around the world have given hope and provided leadership by releasing their plans. Canada is one of the most vaccinated countries in the entire world. That should be celebrated, and we should be celebrating where the science and data by medical experts is headed. Instead, our country has never been more divided, angry and pessimistic. The Prime Minister created this mess by his tone and unacceptable language when attacking those who disagree with him. Today Parliament has a choice: to provide hope and optimism with a clear plan and timeline to end federal mandates or to plunge us into further chaos and division at a time when the opposite is needed. The country is watching. Will the Liberals join us and answer the call for a plan today?

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Ms. Iqra Khalid (Mississauga—Erin Mills, Lib.)

Feb/14/22 2:18:22 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, “I am Canadian and I am triple vaxxed. For my family, my neighbours, my co-workers, our healthcare workers, for my country. I will not be bullied.” These words, written by Ms. Jean Yoon and countless Canadians over the past few days, have become a rallying cry. Make no mistake: After two years, we are all tired of this pandemic. We are tired of not being with our loved ones, tired of seeing small businesses and communities struggle, tired of this illegal blockade that has terrorized Canadians and attacked our supply chains. We have sacrificed so much to be where we are today, and we will not back down. It is our obligation to one another to do what is necessary to protect Canadians. It is time for the members of this House to start putting first their obligations to the citizens who elected us to serve, to put petty politics aside and to work together. Together let us show an effective plan to see us through to the end of this pandemic. Let us show what Canadians have proven: that we are united.

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Hon. Candice Bergen (Leader of the Opposition, CPC)

Feb/14/22 2:19:36 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it has been reported that the Prime Minister is planning to invoke the Emergencies Act to deal with the current protests in Ottawa and in some parts of the country. We know the protests continue here in Ottawa. We know the Windsor border has been reopened. We know that last night there were arrests in Coutts. Section 16 of the Emergencies Act refers to “threats to the security of Canada”. Given this context, does the Prime Minister think that these protests constitute threats to the security of Canada, and if not, does he think that with this news he could be escalating rather than de-escalating an already inflamed situation?

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Hon. Marco Mendicino (Minister of Public Safety, Lib.)

Feb/14/22 2:20:18 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, these illegal blockades are hurting Canadians. We have seen borders closed, our economy crippled and Canadians losing their jobs. That is why, since the beginning, this federal government has provided law enforcement with all of the resources that they have needed. In Windsor, the RCMP and Windsor police have reopened the Ambassador Bridge; in Alberta, the RCMP made 11 arrests and seized guns at the Coutts border crossing; and in Ottawa, the RCMP and the OPP have established an integrated command centre with the Ottawa Police Service. Our number one priority is to end the illegal blockades, uphold the law and allow Canadians to get their lives back.

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Hon. Candice Bergen (Leader of the Opposition, CPC)

Feb/14/22 2:20:58 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we have been asking the Prime Minister to stop dividing, stigmatizing and name-calling people he disagrees with and let them know that he listens and that he hears them, but he refuses to do that. Today we are voting on a Conservative motion, a reasonable motion that asks the government to present a plan for a reopening by the end of the month. This should be a time of optimism and joy for Canadians, not division and fear. Can Canadians count on the Prime Minister to do the right thing and today stand up with us, support our motion and give Canadians the hope that they deserve so much?

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Hon. Bill Blair (President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness, Lib.)

Feb/14/22 2:21:42 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it does not really matter whether members of the opposition have been merely irresponsible or recklessly complicit, but what this country is facing is a largely foreign-funded, targeted and coordinated attack on critical infrastructure and our democratic institutions. The illegal border closings are clearly intended to harm Canada and hurt Canadians, and our government is prepared to do whatever is necessary to restore order and to protect Canadian interests.

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Hon. Candice Bergen (Leader of the Opposition, CPC)

Feb/14/22 2:22:11 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it is clear the Prime Minister and these Liberals are still big fans of polarization, division and negativity. Two years into the pandemic, Canadians deserve, in this moment, some optimism and some hope for the future, and they deserve leadership from their government. They need to know when the federal mandates and the restrictions will be lifted. That is not an unreasonable ask. Again, will the Liberals, will their Prime Minister, will their ministers, will their backbenchers stand up for their constituents, and vote with us to present some optimism and some hope for Canadians?

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Hon. Mark Holland (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)

Feb/14/22 2:22:53 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, at every turn in this crisis, the Conservatives had an opportunity to de-escalate and talk to those who were outside about dispersing and moving on. Instead we saw the interim leader of the Conservatives come out saying that they should continue this for political purposes. The member for Carleton, who is currently a leadership candidate, came out saying that he is proud and stands with the illegal activity that is happening outside. The member for Yorkton—Melville was saying that ripping down barricades protecting the war memorial was an act of profound patriotism. This is their failing leadership here. What this—

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The Speaker

Feb/14/22 2:23:35 p.m.
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The hon. member for Mégantic—L'Érable.

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Mr. Luc Berthold (Mégantic—L'Érable, CPC)

Feb/14/22 2:23:37 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians are not fooled. They understand the Prime Minister’s political games. First, according to his own MPs, he wilfully chose to wedge, to divide and to stigmatize in order to win an election. We are not the ones saying that. It is people from his own team and caucus. He then chose to politicize the pandemic, and that is what he is still doing today. Section 16 of the Emergencies Act states that there must be a threat to the security of Canada in order for the act to be invoked. How does the Prime Minister justify using emergency powers in a different way, once again—

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The Speaker

Feb/14/22 2:24:18 p.m.
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Order. The hon. Minister of Public Safety.

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Hon. Marco Mendicino (Minister of Public Safety, Lib.)

Feb/14/22 2:24:21 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, these blockades are hurting Canadians and they must stop. We are acting responsibly. In Windsor, the RCMP and Windsor Police Service have reopened the Ambassador Bridge. In Alberta, the RCMP have made 11 arrests. In Ottawa, the RCMP and the Ontario Provincial Police have established an integrated command centre with the Ottawa Police Service. Our top priority is to end the illegal blockades, enforce the law, and make it possible for Canadians to get to where they need to go.

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Mr. Luc Berthold (Mégantic—L'Érable, CPC)

Feb/14/22 2:24:53 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, the situation that is unfolding today was entirely avoidable. The Prime Minister's campaign to divide Canadians and to divide his own caucus contributed to this escalation and, unfortunately, he went into hiding for days instead of trying to defuse tensions. The public wants a peaceful resolution to this conflict, an end to the protests, but not the military on the streets. Will the Prime Minister vote in favour of our motion and present all Canadians with a plan, as all the other governments in Canada have done?

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Hon. Mark Holland (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)

Feb/14/22 2:25:30 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the Conservative Party has a clear choice: to de-escalate the situation by telling the protesters that it is time to leave Ottawa immediately. On Twitter— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

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The Speaker

Feb/14/22 2:25:47 p.m.
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Can we proceed? The hon. Leader of the Government in the House of Commons.

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Hon. Mark Holland

Feb/14/22 2:25:56 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, on Twitter, the Conservative Party continues to support the illegal actions taking place outside. The next potential leader of the Conservative Party keeps saying that he is really proud of the illegal actions going on outside. That is totally irresponsible. We are going to work very hard to stop what is going on outside.

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Mr. Alain Therrien (La Prairie, BQ)

Feb/14/22 2:26:27 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister intends to invoke the Emergencies Act to deal with the occupation in Ottawa. He will have seven days to get the House's approval for the special powers he is seeking. However, he refuses to say exactly what he intends to do with those powers. People have a right to know. We cannot wait seven days to find out. We cannot give the Prime Minister carte blanche when we are talking about extreme powers that could include the use of the military. Will the Prime Minister reveal his detailed plan today?

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