Senator Housakos: I’m not questioning whether the banks are protected; it’s the citizens who are not protected, government leader.

Earlier today, during a press conference, Minister Freeland said:

For anyone who is concerned that their accounts may have been frozen because of their participation in these illegal blockades and occupation, the way to get your account unfrozen is to stop being part of the blockade and occupation.

That’s from the Deputy Prime Minister this morning.

Government leader, what in the world does that mean? The blockade has been removed on Wellington. Does that mean their accounts are being returned to them, they are all good now, everything is fine? How does one go about proving to their bank that they are no longer part of a blockade that isn’t out there any longer? Is there some form, affidavit or sworn allegiance to the Liberal Party or Justin Trudeau not to criticize them? How will they get their accounts unfrozen?

Senator Gold: Honourable colleague, it is challenging to answer these questions when legitimate questions about what protections are available to citizens are interspersed with statements that are not worthy of a response. However, I will respond.

The Deputy Prime Minister and this government have made clear that the ordinary protections of the law — the Charter and the courts — are in place to deal with allegations or claims that people have been treated unjustly. Indeed, court actions are already under way, which is testament to the democratic accountability of this act, an extraordinarily different act than ones that preceded it.

Furthermore, as the honourable senator knows, the banks have had, for the longest time, internal measures in place to deal with clients whom they suspect may have been participating in illegal activities and implicating their accounts. As I said in response to an earlier question, the government is working closely with financial institutions in these circumstances.

(For text of Delayed Answers, see Appendix.)

(At 3:01 p.m., the Senate was continued until tomorrow at 9 a.m.)

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