Category Archives: Question Period

Recaps from Question Period in the House of Commons

QP: Debating the need for the Emergencies Act

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While the party leaders had all been in the Chamber for debate on the Emergencies Act, only one of them was still there by the time QP got underway. Luc Berthold led off in French, and he asserted that the PM had not paid out the case to invoke the Act and accused him of invoking it simply to save his personal political fortunes, to which Chrystia Freeland raised the economic damage of blockades like in Windsor. Berthold accused her of not updating her talking points, and then asserted there was no case to worry about foreign funding. Freeland stated that business leaders support the necessary action the government has taken because of the blockades and quoted Goldy Hyder’s support. Berthold repeated that there were no longer blockades at the border, and wondered why the prime minster’s mind changed over the weekend around invoking the Act. Freeland insisted that the government would always do what was needed to defend workers and the national interest, and raised their work in the New NAFTA negotiations to compare to the current situation. Kerry-Lynne Findlay took over in English and quoted the deputy director of FINTRAC saying there were no spike in suspicious actions, and Freeland retorted that she spoke to the head of FINTRAC and that they didn’t have the tools necessary to track the new world like crypto, which is why the new measures brought in gave them new authorities. Findlay then tried to catch out the prime minister in a contradiction about the geographically-limited nature of the invocation versus it being available nationally, and Freeland worried that the Conservatives were no longer a party that was concerned with the best interests of the country, then quoted her meeting with Perrin Beatty.

Alain Therrien rose for the Bloc, and listed things the government didn’t need to invoke the Emergencies Act for, and stated that it was simply a lack of leadership. Freeland business leaders in Quebec supported the government. Therrien claimed the federal government had been in “hiding” over the occupation outside—a blatant falsehood—and Freeland said they were taking responsibility for democracy and to protect the national interest.

Jagmeet Singh rose for the NDP, and he wanted a plan to get out of the pandemic with a commitment to better fund healthcare, for which Freeland stated that they were moving past the Canadians thanks to the 90 percent of Canadians who were vaccinated, and praised our outcomes in mortality rates over the course of the pandemic as compared to other countries. Singh switched to in French to call on the government to improve people’s lives, and Freeland assured him that they were doing so.

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Roundup: Complacency versus the hard work of democracy

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Things are fraught in Ottawa, tempers are short. A lot of stuff that has been barely under the surface is blowing up. David Reevely has some thoughts about where we find ourselves, and why, and he’s pretty dead-on about it.

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QP: A raucous disagreement on the Emergencies Act

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All leaders were present for what promised to be a fraught Question Period, where the prime minister would be responding to all questions. Candice Bergen led off, and wondered just what was the threat to Canadians that required the Emergencies Act, citing the test in the legislation. Justin Trudeau trotted out his line that using the Act is a serious issue, and that the test was met so they are giving police new tools. Bergen insisted that the situations were already de-escalating on their own, and that this was just about saving his political skin. Bergen repeated the allegation, insisted that Trudeau was name-calling, stigmatising and “traumatising” Canadians, and Trudeau said that by first insisting the opposition wanted to try and have it both ways. Bergen raised Blackface, Omar Khadr and a few other non sequiturs and then decried a “mental health” crisis before demanding all mandates be ended, and Trudeau accused the Conservatives of playing personal, partisan games.

Speaker Rota had enough of the noise, and turned the speaking list upside down and called on Mike Morrice, who asked about committing to mental health, and Trudeau praised their plans for a dedicated mental health transfer to the provinces and bragged the government’s Wellness Together app.

Rota returned to Bergen, who raised domestic assault stats to decry mandates, before she demanded capitulation to the occupiers’ demands, and Trudeau trotted out his worn lines about having Canadians’ backs.

For the Bloc, Yves-François Blanchet decried the application of the Emergencies Act in Quebec, and Trudeau reminded him that the Bloc were demanding action, while the application is limited and proportional, and a province who doesn’t need it doesn’t have to access it’s powers. Blanchet railed about the sensitivities of Quebeckers to the War Measures Act in its new form, and Trudeau listed federal tools that helped Quebec in the pandemic.

Jagmeet Singh rose for the NDP, and he decried how Black and Indigenous protesters were treated as compared to this occupation, and Trudeau admitted that they acknowledge systemic racism and they are committing to make changes. Singh switched to a French to demand the Emergencies Act not be applied in jurisdictions it is not wanted—a sop to Quebec—and Trudeau repeated that if the province doesn’t want the tools, they don’t need to use them.

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QP: Platitudes about new tools for police

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With the Emergencies Act having been invoked, the prime minister was present in the Chamber today, as were most other leaders, which was good, because an exercise of emergency powers requires scrutiny. I’m not sure that’s what we got today. Candice Bergen led off, script in front of her, worrying about the Emergencies Act declaration, and wondered if the motion would not be bought before the Chamber until Friday, before the break week—which was a valid, if perhaps overly dramatic, concern. Justin Trudeau gave prepared remarks on the consultations with provinces and the time-limited nature of the declaration, but didn’t answer the question. Bergen noted that before she noted that the blockades in Coutts and Windsor cleared without this declaration, and concern trolled that the declaration would make the situation worse. Trudeau stated that this was a time for responsible leadership rather than the Conservatives encouraging these blockades. Bergen insisted that this was about an “ideological” desire to keep COVID measures in place, and pretended that this was against “science.” Trudeau repeated his points, this time naming individual MPs for encouraging these actions to continue. Gérard Deltell took over in French, and worried that half of the premiers were against the declaration and that this poured oiled on the fire, and Trudeau insisted this was about additional tools that the police of jurisdiction could use. Deltell repeated his concerns, and Trudeau insisted that these were “responsible steps” to keep the streets clear of illegal demonstrations. 

Yves-François Blanchet rose for the Bloc, and noted the situations resolved without the need for the Act, but worried that the declaration did not specify the geographic location it was to be imposed and wanted assurances it would not be applied in Quebec. Trudeau assured him the tools were only available if requested by local police. Blanchet gave a paranoid suggestion this was about imposing legislation on Quebec against their will, to which Trudeau repeated his points about local police.

Jagmeet Singh appeared by video for the NDP, and he decried the double standard of treatment of this occupation and worried about reports of police and military participation, and wanted assurances the measures would be used “for people” and not to support the occupation. Trudeau repeated about providing tools for police to give people their streets back. In French, Singh raised the weapons found in Coutts before repeating Blanchet’s demand not to apply it in Quebec, and Trudeau again insisted they would not impose anything where it was not needed by local police. 

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QP: In the shadow of the Emergencies Act

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While talk of the imminent imposition of the Emergencies Act swirled, the prime minister was in his office but not in the Chamber for QP. Candice Bergen led off, script in front of her, and quoted Section 16 of the Emergencies Act to ask if he considers the blockades a threat to national security, to which Marco Mendicino quoted the arrests on Coutts this morning for weapons before listing supports the federal government provided to end the blockades. Bergen demanded the government agree with their Supply Day motion to capitulate to the occupiers, and Bill Blair railed about the illegal occupations. Bergen called capitulation “not unreasonable,” and demanded “hope and optimism” for Canadians. Mark Holland said that the Conservatives squandered all attempts at de-escalation, citing their various MPs who have supported it. Luc Berthold took over in French, and repeated the “division and stigmatisation” line before wondering how the government could possibly consider emergency measures. Mendicino repeated his previous answer. Berthold said that nobody wanted to see the army in the streets before demanding capitulation, and Holland repeated his condemnation of irresponsible Conservative statements in support of the occupations.

For the Bloc, Alain Therrien wanted to know how the prime minister planned to use emergency powers, and demanded a detailed plan today. Mendicino read about the support the federal government has offered. Therrien was not satisfied, but Mendicino simply repeated his response.

Peter Julian led for the NDP, and wondered why the prime minister didn’t “show leadership” 18 days ago—as though there were federal powers he could deploy (there weren’t). Bill Blair denounced the occupations and blockades, and stated that they did provide support where requested. Alexandre Boulerice took over in French to lament the same, and Mendicino repeated the script about supports given.

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QP: The trauma of vaccine mandates

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It was unusual but happened nevertheless—that Justin Trudeau was present for a third QP in a row. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen this, and one is forced to wonder if this is to put down the notion that he has been absent or in hiding because of the grifter occupation outside. Candice Bergen led off with her script in front of her, lamenting that the occupation has been there for two weeks, and requested a meeting with Trudeau to “end the impasse.” Trudeau called her out for encouraging the blockades and their fundraising, and said that they will see an end to the blockades, and called on the Conservatives to get on side. Bergen blamed the prime minister for the situation, and demanded their support for their Supply Day motion to capitulate to the occupiers and end all vaccine mandates, to which Trudeau expounded on the virtues of vaccines. Bergen gave some wounded faux confusion, and wondered if the prime minster wouldn’t lift mandates until there was 100 percent vaccination. Trudeau reminded her that vaccines are the way out of the pandemic. Luc Berthold took over in French to ask again if the prime minister wanted 100 percent vaccination rates, and Trudeau repeated his lines about the Conservatives going to bat for the occupiers. Berthold demanded a re-opening plan by all levels of government, and Trudeau said he was happy to hear the Conservatives calling for the occupiers to go home, and he hoped that the Conservatives would stop encouraging the other blockades.

Yves-François Blanchet led for the Bloc, and he too demanded a meeting with the prime minster and all party leaders, for which Trudeau reminded him that he is in contact with all levels of government but he could arrange a briefing if Blanchet wanted. Blanchet said he wanted to hear from all of the leaders, before raising the other tactics the occupiers were engaged in, and Trudeau said they were working with other governments to minimise the impact of the illegal blockades. 

Jagmeet Singh appeared by video, and whinged that the prime minister was “hiding behind jurisdiction” and demanded he fix the mess—for which the Conservatives applauded. Trudeau noted that they have been furnishing resources to the municipalities affected, which is why they called on the Conservatives to call for the blockades to end instead of cheering them on. Singh repeated his question in French, and got the same answer.

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QP: Demands to capitulate to the occupiers

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While the grifter occupation carries on in a somewhat quieter way outside of Parliament Hill, MPs inside the West Block settled into their usual Wednesday pattern of proto-PMQs. Candice Bergen led off, script in front of her, and she praised other countries and jurisdictions who are lifting mandates, claiming they are “following the science,” and selectively quoted public health officers and raised yesterday’s presser by Joël Lightbound. Justin Trudeau reminded her that vaccinations were the way through the pandemic, and wondered why the Conservatives were against vaccinations. Bergen claimed that continuing federal mandates were because of Trudeau’s ego, and Trudeau took a solemn tone to praise Canadians for stepping up while the government had their backs. Bergen accused Trudeau of politicising the pandemic, and raised the farce of the country being “more divided than every before,” and painted a dystopian vision of the country under the Liberals. Trudeau reminded her that they did have an election on vaccinations and that it was what won the day. Bergen insistence that Trudeau was strategically trying to “divide and stigmatise” Canadians, and Trudeau insisted that they provided responsible leadership in getting the Canadians through the pandemic, before he accused the Conservatives of supporting the blockades at the border. Luc Berthold took over in French to raise Lightbound’s concerns, repeating the “divide and stigmatise” line. Trudeau repeated that they united Canadians around vaccine mandates in the election, before repeating that the Conservative refuse to condemn the blockades.

Yves-François Blanchet rose for the Bloc, and he demanded better communicate from the government on clearing the occupation outside, and Trudeau reiterate that the siege and the blockades need to end, and it would be great if the Conservatives could tell their followers that message. Blanchet insisted that the government wasn’t showing leadership, and Trudeau reminded him that in Quebec City, the municipal and provincial governments handled their protests well, and in Ottawa, they were offering what help they could to the city and province.

Jagmeet Singh appeared by video, and he demanded that they engage with the Americans to choke off foreign funds to this occupation. Trudeau assured him they were engaged, before raising how ironic it was that the protest that claimed to be about truckers was blocking real truckers at the borders. Singh repeated the question in French, and go the same answer.

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QP: Quoting Joël Lightbound

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It was an unusual morning, where one of the Liberal backbenchers, Joël Lightbound, decided to torpedo his status as rising star and held a press conference to slam the government’s handling of vaccine mandates, and mouthing a bunch of the same talking points about “divisiveness” that Candice Bergen has been spouting of late. Naturally, every one of the opposition parties was bound to pick up on this and hit the government with it as hard as they possibly could. In the Chamber, most of the leaders were present in person, Jagmeet Singh excepted. Candice Bergen led off, script in front of her, and she raised Lightbound’s concerns and selectively quoted Dr. Theresa Tam, and demanded and end to public health measures (never mind that most of them are provincial). Justin Trudeau acknowledged that people are tired of lockdowns, but Canadians were united in doing what needed to be done to beat the pandemic by following the science. Bergen listed countries with fewer restrictions and demanded an end to them in Canada, and Trudeau repeated that they follow science and that there was a less severe impact than in most of those other countries because we did the right thing. Bergen pandemic one final plea for freedom, and Trudeau doubled down on following science and note their work with premiers to bring in the measures that saved lives, before needling the Conservatives about their support for the occupiers outside. Luc Berthold took over in French to again quote Lightbound to decry “divisiveness,” and Trudeau repeated his points about following science and not politicising it. Berthold screamed that Trudeau was not answering the question, and Trudeau made a pitch for vaccination to end the pandemic.

Yves-François Blanchet rose for the Bloc, praised the injunction that silenced the occupation, and praised Quebec City’s handling of their protesters, but seemed to ignore that the Ontario government should have a role here. Trudeau said that he would speak with the mayor later in the day, and that they need to show solidarity in getting through the challenge. Blanchet then raised Lightbound before demanding more health transfers for the provinces, and Trudeau reminded him that summits with premiers are not held with the Bloc, before listing investments over the past two years.

Jagmeet Singh appeared by video to raise the blockades at two other border crossings, and Trudeau insisted that they were in touch and supplying resources, before calling out the Conservatives for their inconsistent messages on the occupation. Singh repeated the question in French, and Trudeau repeated his response. 

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QP: Won’t somebody do the Ottawa Police’s job for them?

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As the occupation outside was quieter today the prime minister was absent, as were most other leaders, save Candice Bergen. Bergen led off, with her script in front of her, and she blamed the various demonstrations around the country on the “division” caused by the prime minster, and she demanded “leadership” in fixing a mess that she blamed on him. Mark Holland rose in reply, and he recited that the best way to end the pandemic was to get vaccinated. Bergen selectively quoted Dr. Theresa Tam musing about lifting restrictions, and Bergen demanded they all be lifted—never mind that most of those are provincial in nature. Holland reminded her of such, and even the trucker mandate existed on the other side of the border so it wouldn’t matter. Bergen accused Holland of mansplaining to her, and Holland insisted that they try not to inflame the situation. Luc Berthold took over in French and demanded that the restrictions on truckers be removed because science, to which Dominic LeBlanc reminded him that they already follow the science, and that they opposition should not put words in Dr. Tam’s mouth. Berthold then demanded more unconditional healthcare transfers to the provinces, and LeBlanc stated that they have been in constant discussion to find the best way to support the system.

Alain Therrien led for the Bloc, and he repeated the Bloc’s demand for a “crisis unit” to deal with the occupation outside, and Marco Mendicino reminded him that operational decisions are made by police independent of government. Therrien complained that they were unable to be proactive, and Mendicino repeated his answer.

Alexandre Boulerice appeared by video for the NDP, demanded “leadership” on clearing the occupation, and Mendicino repeated yet again that the RCMP provided additional resources, but they don’t direct police. Rachel Blaney took over in English to repeat the same question, and Mendicino repeated his response a fourth time.

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QP: Bergen a measured apologist for grifters

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While Justin Trudeau remains in isolation, and doing virtual meetings that were not QP, his deputy was in attendance. It was also Candice Bergen’s first day as interim Conservative leader, so we would see what the tone would be like. Bergen led off, to much applause, and with her script in front of her, she demanded that the government present a plan to “work with” the grifter occupation outside, and worried that vaccine mandates for interprovincial travel was “not helpful.” Chrystia Freeland first congratulated Bergen on her appointment, and thanked O’Toole for his public service, and then condemned the desecration and hate symbols on display by the protesters. Bergen said she wanted to see an olive branch to the grifters, and Freeland reminded her about Greg Fergus’ speech about how Black people feel when they see Confederate flags outside, and why all members have an obligation to speak put against a movement that tolerates it. Bergen accused Freeland of gaslighting, and demanded that olive branch, and Freeland repeated the obligation to speak out, even if these people are friends. Bergen then switched to an overwrought question on inflation, and Freeland recited that the government is standing up for Canadians. Gérard Deltell took over to demand spending be reigned in to control inflation, and Freeland reminded him that this is a global issue.

https://twitter.com/StephanieCarvin/status/1489327027341733896

Alain Therrien led for the Bloc, and he demanded higher health transfers to the provinces, to which Freeland reminded him that the federal government provided eight out of every ten pandemic aid dollars, and pitched for support for Bill C-8 on additional aid measures. Therrien repeated the demand for increased transfers, and Freeland repeated her response. 

Jagmeet Singh appeared by video, and asked why Black and Indigenous people are treated differently when they protest—which is not really the responsibility of the federal government. Freeland solemnly repeated the the plea to pay attention to Fergus’ speech. Singh repeated the question in French, and got the same answer. 

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