SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 36

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
February 21, 2022 07:00AM
  • Feb/21/22 2:48:05 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, we are at a point in time in Canadian history that I never thought we would reach. Canadians in the nation's capital are seeing fences put up around the streets and police checkstops at every intersection, and some Canadians are mistakenly having their bank accounts frozen. Tonight, in this chamber, every single member of Parliament will have to rise and say if they agree that this is a Canada they want for their kids and grandchildren. My question is for the Prime Minister. How did he convince the federal NDP to sell out the core beliefs of Jack Layton and Tommy Douglas?
105 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/21/22 2:48:38 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, I want to assure the member that all of the powers being used under the Emergencies Act are being used in a manner that is very proportional, measured and respectful of the charter, including protections around due process and the right to be protected from unreasonable search and seizure. We are always reassessing the need for the Emergencies Act. We are listening very carefully to the advice we are receiving from law enforcement. I want to assure the member and all members of the chamber that we will absolutely retreat from the Emergencies Act as soon as we can.
101 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/21/22 2:49:12 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, the minister does not get it. Canadians do not trust him and his government. We have a historic vote this evening. The Liberals have desperately tried to justify the Prime Minister's power grab and overreach. We see the leader of the NDP bending over backwards to prop up the most corrupt government in Canadian history. Some hon. members: Oh, oh! Mr. Warren Steinley: To the Prime Minister, on top of the—
75 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/21/22 2:49:35 p.m.
  • Watch
I heard the word “corrupt”. Maybe the member can rephrase. The hon. member for Regina—Lewvan.
19 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/21/22 2:49:46 p.m.
  • Watch
We have seen the NDP leader back up the most scandalous government we have seen throughout the history of our country. To the Prime Minister, on top of the cost of our freedom in his new Liberal emergency state, when will we see the celebration of the Liberal's official coalition with the NDP, with the swearing in of a minister? Perhaps next—
64 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/21/22 2:50:06 p.m.
  • Watch
The hon. minister.
3 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/21/22 2:50:09 p.m.
  • Watch
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.
97 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/21/22 2:50:52 p.m.
  • Watch
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?
70 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/21/22 2:51:21 p.m.
  • Watch
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?
141 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/21/22 2:52:04 p.m.
  • Watch
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?
62 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/21/22 2:52:33 p.m.
  • Watch
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.
113 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/21/22 2:53:13 p.m.
  • Watch
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?
90 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/21/22 2:53:50 p.m.
  • Watch
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.
76 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/21/22 2:54:20 p.m.
  • Watch
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?
90 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/21/22 2:54:56 p.m.
  • Watch
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.
61 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/21/22 2:55:31 p.m.
  • Watch
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?
99 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/21/22 2:56:04 p.m.
  • Watch
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.
50 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/21/22 2:56:35 p.m.
  • Watch
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?
109 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/21/22 2:57:18 p.m.
  • Watch
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.
112 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/21/22 2:57:58 p.m.
  • Watch
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?
107 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border