Evidence of meeting #10 for Declaration of Emergency in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was police.

A video is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Joint Chair  Hon. Gwen Boniface (Senator, Ontario, ISG)
Vernon White  Senator, Ontario, C
Peter Harder  Senator, Ontario, PSG

6:45 p.m.

The Joint Chair Hon. Gwen Boniface

Pardon the disruption, Minister.

We'll move to Ms. Bendayan.

6:45 p.m.

Liberal

Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC

Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

Minister, thank you for being here. I believe you were mid-sentence in quoting somebody. Would you perhaps like to finish and provide us with the full quote for the record?

6:45 p.m.

Liberal

Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON

I would.

Look, I appreciate that many of us here are elected and we have a partisan job to do, but I really want to speak very sincerely as Canada's finance minister and as a person who fought so hard, supported really by our whole country, to maintain that essential trading relationship with the United States. It was clear to me that with each passing hour, our economic reputation with the United States as a reliable trading partner and as a reliable investment destination was being damaged.

I'm going to quote Elissa Slotkin, a Michigan congresswoman. This is what she had to say:

It doesn’t matter if it’s an adversary or an ally—we can’t be this reliant on parts coming from foreign countries.

The one thing that couldn’t be more clear is that we have to bring American manufacturing back home to states like Michigan. If we don’t, it’s American workers...who are left holding the bag.

Then she vowed the following:

to continue the work that Michiganders have been pushing for over the last 30 years: bringing manufacturing of critical items back to the U.S. so we’re not dependent on others for our economic security.

This is so dangerous to Canada, colleagues. I was deeply, deeply concerned that these illegal blockades and this illegal occupation would provoke a whole new wave of protectionism and deeply erode our trading relationship with the United States. That was a real economic threat.

Going back to Mr. Motz's point, reputational harm is not something that you necessarily feel fully in the moment. It's something that you feel in the years ahead. Later on I'll quote Flavio Volpe, who talked about, at the time, his concerns that, going forward, investors would not choose to put their money into Canada because they would, quite reasonably, say to themselves that there is no guarantee that parts we build in Canada will be able to freely and easily travel to the United States.

I also spoke directly with U.S. government officials. They were very, very worried. I was very, very worried as well. The measures that we took were serious. The members of this committee are right to scrutinize them carefully. But I do also want to remind everyone here that the economic harm—in the moment and in the weeks, months and indeed years to come—was serious, and it was becoming more serious every single day.

6:50 p.m.

Liberal

Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC

Thank you for that, Minister.

I too, at the time, was extremely concerned. At the time of invocation of the Emergencies Act, as I understand it—both at the time and from testimony at this committee—the blockade at the Coutts, Alberta, international border was ongoing and that the border would only reopen on February 15. The blockade at Emerson, Manitoba, was also ongoing and the border there would only open two days following the invocation of the Emergencies Act. In Surrey, B.C., it was the same thing. It would only open several days later. There was a continued threat of further blockades at the Windsor border, which, as you mentioned, Minister, affected about $400 million in trade each day.

I would like to hear you on the economic importance of this, not only for our country but also for workers. I have read a quote from Dave Cassidy, the president of Local 444 of the United Auto Workers, which represents workers at the factory in Windsor. He said:

Our whole economy…depends on that bridge being open

If these lines don't run and the workers are sent home, then these working families unfortunately become collateral damage to the protest that's going on at the bridge

Minister, can you speak to the importance of supporting our Canadian workers at this time?

6:50 p.m.

The Joint Chair Hon. Gwen Boniface

Minister, just to let you know, you have 10 seconds.

6:50 p.m.

Liberal

Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON

Yes. It's very important.

6:50 p.m.

The Joint Chair Hon. Gwen Boniface

Thank you.

Mr. Fortin, you have five minutes.

6:50 p.m.

Bloc

The Joint Chair Bloc Rhéal Fortin

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Welcome to the committee, Minister.

I'm pleased to learn that you're already working on production of the documents we've requested. I understand what cabinet secrecy is. I imagine you also understand the importance of the work we're doing and the fact that we've been sworn in and may receive confidential documents and information.

We can't carry out our mandate if we don't have all the information and documents we need to do so. I hope you're aware of that too. I'm sure you're making good faith efforts to do what has to be done for us to have that information and those documents.

Having said that, I'd like some clarification on one point.

Did you take part in cabinet discussions before the Emergencies Act was proclaimed?

6:50 p.m.

Liberal

Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON

We had discussions with the Incident Response Group. That group consists of key ministers.

6:50 p.m.

Bloc

The Joint Chair Bloc Rhéal Fortin

Did you discuss whether the Emergencies Act should be invoked?

6:50 p.m.

Liberal

Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON

We discussed the situation. I described the significant economic consequences. We also discussed how we might terminate the blockades and occupation as well as the matter of costs.

6:50 p.m.

Bloc

The Joint Chair Bloc Rhéal Fortin

When did those discussions begin or take place?

6:50 p.m.

Liberal

Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON

The committee's meetings are public. A notice was published for each of the committee's meetings.

6:50 p.m.

Bloc

The Joint Chair Bloc Rhéal Fortin

Was the decision to proclaim the Emergencies Act made in that committee?

6:50 p.m.

Liberal

Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON

The information was already public, and, as it was an important decision, it was made at a full cabinet meeting.

6:50 p.m.

Bloc

The Joint Chair Bloc Rhéal Fortin

I see.

You said that the roadblocks in question and the occupation of Wellington Street, among other things, caused significant damage to the Canadian economy.

Would you please explain how the roadblock on Wellington Street hurt the Canadian economy?

6:50 p.m.

Liberal

Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON

That's a good question.

There were two kinds of consequences. First, it had a major impact on Ottawa's economy and on the Outaouais regional economy. I'm sure that's important for you since you're a member from Quebec.

According to a Radio-Canada article, which cited—

6:50 p.m.

Bloc

The Joint Chair Bloc Rhéal Fortin

I apologize for interrupting, Minister. I don't mean to be rude, but, as you know, we don't really have a lot of time. I don't want to hear about the article. Perhaps I worded my question poorly.

In your opinion, as a minister, how did the protests on Wellington Street impact the Canadian economy?

What's the connection between the two situations?

Personally, I don't see it.

6:50 p.m.

Liberal

Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON

Perhaps that's my fault. My French isn't very good, but I'll try to explain it.

6:55 p.m.

Bloc

The Joint Chair Bloc Rhéal Fortin

You can use the interpretation service.

6:55 p.m.

Liberal

Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON

No, it's important for me to answer you in French. You should agree with me on that.

6:55 p.m.

Bloc

The Joint Chair Bloc Rhéal Fortin

With all due respect, it's more important for you to answer the questions, Minister.

6:55 p.m.

Liberal

Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON

The blockades and the occupation had an impact in two ways. First, they compromised the economy of the greater Ottawa region.

Second, they undermined Canada's reputation. Canada is normally considered a politically stable state, which is very important for investors.

6:55 p.m.

Bloc

The Joint Chair Bloc Rhéal Fortin

I understand.

You told us earlier that the act was invoked as a last resort because it was necessary. My question is this: what did you try to do before resorting to it?

When you say it was a last resort, it's usually because you've tried something else and it didn't work.

What did you do to prevent or shut down the protests on Wellington Street?

6:55 p.m.

Liberal

Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON

You've already spoken with other colleagues and officials about the work that was done on the ground and with the people responsible for implementing the act from a national security standpoint. However, I want to point out, as Minister of Finance, that every hour and every day of the occupation and blockades hurt our economy.