Evidence of meeting #9 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 laws.
A video is available from Parliament.
8:55 p.m.
Conservative
8:55 p.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
I do believe he was misunderstood, because when you say “on the advice of law enforcement”, the advice does not necessarily have to be about asking them about the act—
8:55 p.m.
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON
It wasn't on the advice. Listen to my question very carefully. He is on record—I don't have enough time to repeat verbatim what he has stated on the record—that they asked for, law enforcement asked for, the Emergencies Act. It was not that law enforcement consulted with the government as an option to deal with the protest, to deal with the invocation of the act. He said, they had asked for it.
If you knew that he was misconstruing those words, why didn't you inform Minister Mendicino to clarify that in the House or to clarify that with the public?
9 p.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
I serve the minister, and I'm not at liberty to discuss the advice I provide him, but I can tell you that I think he was misunderstood. I believe the intention he was trying to express was that law enforcement asked for the tools that were contained in the Emergencies Act.
9 p.m.
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON
It wasn't just Minister Mendicino who was misconstrued or misunderstood. It was the Prime Minister. It was Minister Blair. It was Minister Lametti. It was probably members of the Liberal caucus, who all used that same talking point that law enforcement asked for it.
Was the entire government misunderstood, Mr. Stewart? Canadians want transparency here. Who is giving directions to the government if it's not your department?
9 p.m.
Liberal
Arif Virani Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON
Mr. Chair, on a point of order, I think this witness is here to testify with respect to Public Safety and the advice he would have given to Minister Mendicino—
9 p.m.
NDP
The Joint Chair NDP Matthew Green
He has the ability to answer the questions. He's been doing it quite capably all meeting.
9 p.m.
Liberal
Arif Virani Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON
I don't think that question is relevant in terms of his expertise.
9 p.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
The public service does not give direction to the government, sir.
9 p.m.
NDP
The Joint Chair NDP Matthew Green
Thank you, Mr. Stewart.
We will now go on to Ms. Bendayan for four minutes.
Ms. Bendayan, the floor is yours.
9 p.m.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'll be splitting my time with Mr. Virani.
Mr. Stewart, I'll be going quite quickly through a number of questions. First, are you aware that the RCMP executed a search warrant on the morning of February 14 and seized at the border at Coutts 13 long guns, multiple handguns and sets of body armour, a machete, a large quantity of ammunition and high-capacity magazines?
9 p.m.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
Are you aware that threats became known to the RCMP days into the protests at Coutts, Alberta, and that the investigation was ongoing for some time before the search warrant was issued on February 14?
9 p.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
I can't speak to the specifics. I don't believe they knew for very long before they executed the search warrant.
9 p.m.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
I believe the investigation is ongoing, but I would like to ask if you are aware of any connection between this heavily armed group at Coutts, Alberta, and any other blockaders or protesters during the period?
9 p.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
We did not identify any direct connection. They were assessed to be members of a particular IMVE group called Diagolon, and there are other members of Diagolon in the country.
9 p.m.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
Can you confirm that the investigation is ongoing and that we are awaiting the results of that investigation?
9 p.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
No, I can't. That's for the RCMP to speak to.
June 7th, 2022 / 9 p.m.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
Thank you very much.
On February 11, the United States, in particular the Biden administration, offered Homeland Security's help to end the Ambassador Bridge blockade and other protests at the border. This subject was first broached by Senator Carignan.
As the head of Public Safety for the federal Government of Canada, has another country ever made such an offer before?
9 p.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
We have a close working relationship with the Americans. Depending on the situation, we offer each other aid. It's not uncommon.
9 p.m.
NDP
The Joint Chair NDP Matthew Green
Mr. Bendayan, I'm just letting you know that it is two minutes. If you'd like to continue, it's on your time.
9 p.m.
Liberal
Arif Virani Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON
Thank you, Deputy Minister. I'm going to go quickly as well.
In response to Mr. Naqvi, you had said that towing is part of the order we've been examining. The idea of towing was given to you by the people you were consulting with, including law enforcement. Is that correct?