In your opening comments, Mr. McDonell, you referenced what took place.
I was in my office the first day after Parliament was functioning. It was shut down for one day. I remember having the news on in the background in my office when I was writing my speech on the Emergencies Act. There were lots of emails going back and forth and coming up on my computer screen about whether we could enter the precinct or not, even though Parliament was open that day.
I remember seeing on TV literally a hundred RCMP officers and protesters outside my office near the Valour Building, and getting these emails at the same time. I remember I had to walk down through the protests, and the RCMP officers were there. When I got to the gates of Parliament, the gates were locked. I thought, wow, if I were ever in a crazy constitutional predicament, it would be right now.
Can you speak to the protocol, or lessons learned, in that situation? I don't think there have been many times in the history of Canada when, literally, the gates of Parliament were locked. As a member, my privilege was being compromised in that moment, when I was prevented from entering Parliament itself when we were debating the Emergencies Act.
Would either of you like to comment on that situation? I know I'm probably not the only member of Parliament who has raised that scenario with you in the last few months.