Debates of Feb. 21st, 2022

Foreign Affairs

[Rob Oliphant, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows, we are indeed ready to impose severe economic sanctions should Russia further invade Ukraine, an invasion that has been going on for many years. We are working closely with allies: the U.S., the U.K. and the EU. Sanctions are always most effective when they are done in lockstep with other countries. That is exactly what we do as we stand with the Ukrainian people and with Ukraine.

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Ukraine is calling on its allies to impose sanctions immediately.

Moscow has already announced that it recognizes the independence of the Donbass territories, which is the first step toward annexing them. Ukraine is already experiencing cyber-attacks, a naval blockade, military pressure, and a disinformation campaign seeking to justify an invasion.

Last week, the Minister of Foreign Affairs said that the sanctions will come into effect on day one of an attack.

The attack has started. Will Canada fire a warning shot and immediately impose sanctions against Moscow?

[Rob Oliphant, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, Canada remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

We strongly condemn Russia's decision to recognize the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in Ukraine. This is a serious violation of the Minsk agreements and article 2, paragraph 4, of the United Nations Charter, and a threat to the security and stability of the region.

Public Safety

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are not easily fooled, and even the Prime Minister's caucus is growing increasingly nervous about his reckless governance.

The Prime Minister claims he has no other choice but to invoke emergency measures. Today, he is turning this into a confidence issue for his own caucus. The emergency measures constitute a precedent that must not be taken lightly. What is more, the Prime Minister is telling us that these measures will be maintained for three months as a precaution.

Is he telling us that he will invoke emergency measures every time his leadership is in crisis?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, since the illegal blockades started, the government has taken many concrete measures, such as giving police forces extra resources.

At the same time, the Emergencies Act continues to be necessary to help police prevent further illegal blockades. We want to sunset the act as soon as we can.

[Jamie Schmale, Conservative, Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Parliament Hill is now cleared. Most of the charges in Ottawa involve trespassing and mischief. Tow truck operators were already compelled to help authorities before the Emergencies Act. Our borders were cleared prior to the law, which has never been used before, was activated. Organizations such as the Canadian Civil Liberties Association tell us that the government is not limiting the act to just Ottawa. It applies universally across the country. It does not target just one specific protest. It applies to every single Canadian.

Going forward, how often does the Prime Minister plan to use this tool of last resort as a tool of first resort?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness]

Mr. Speaker, I think even the member opposite would acknowledge that, when we see the type of criminality that was taking place on the streets of Ottawa, and when we see the attacks on our critical infrastructure and the cutting off of vital supply lines into this country, it constitutes an emergency because of the harm committed against our country and our citizens.

We are prepared to do what is required. We are working very closely with law enforcement, who have the important task of restoring the rule of law to our streets, protecting our citizens and our critical infrastructure. We will only use those measures as long as they are required.

[John Barlow, Conservative, Foothills, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Emergencies Act is intended to be a last resort to deal with a clear, imminent threat. It is not a sledgehammer to deal with some future unknown crisis. There is no security threat. The streets are empty and the blockades are gone. There is no threat to our democracy. We are here in the House of Commons, with the world watching, about to have a critical vote.

If there is no threat, will the Prime Minister end his abuse of the Emergencies Act, or is this just a ploy to ensure that the infringements on Canadians' charter rights and our bank accounts are permanent?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, I had hoped that the member would have seen over the course of the last number of days that this is far from using a sledgehammer. The police have shown restraint. They have been patient, and they have been professional in carrying out their responsibilities under the Emergencies Act, which they continue to say is necessary to bring about the end of the illegal occupation here in Ottawa and across the country.

There are still risks, but I assure every member in this House that we will sunset the Emergencies Act as soon as we can and, in the meantime, the powers exercised under it will be done in a manner consistent with the charter.

[Randeep Sarai, Liberal, Surrey Centre, BC]

Mr. Speaker, for the last three weeks, law enforcement partners have been coordinating their efforts to end illegal blockades and disruptions in Ottawa and at border crossings. The RCMP have assisted municipal and provincial forces when requested, helping to stop unlawful protesters and restoring the freedoms and livelihoods of all Canadians.

Why is the continued use of the Emergencies Act necessary to ensure Canadians' livelihood and quality of life are protected?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my hon. colleague for all of his hard work in representing his community. He will know why the Emergencies Act continues to be necessary. In Surrey at the Pacific Highway, we saw a recent effort to once again obstruct trade corridors, which has a direct and significant impact on the economy and on Canadian jobs.

I know that is a central concern for the hon. colleague. I hope it is for all members in this chamber. I hope that tonight everyone will see fit to support the passage of the Emergencies Act, so we can end the illegal blockades, and so we can get life back to normal as quickly as possible.

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I asked a serious question earlier, which the Attorney General did not answer. I asked whether or not the Attorney General or the Department of Justice had rendered a legal opinion regarding the public order emergency powers and the charter. Surely his answer to my question was not the sum total of that legal opinion, if it exists. Therefore, I will ask the question again. Is there a legal opinion, yes or no? If there is, will the government release it to the House ahead of this evening's vote?

[David Lametti, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, if the hon. member was a lawyer he would understand that I would not answer that question. I speak as the Attorney General for the Government of Canada. In giving my legal opinion, I have assured this House, and I have assured the Canadian public, that I feel that we have met the legal standards based on the decision and that—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Chris d'Entremont]

I can stand here all day and wait for everybody to come to order to bring the temperature down a bit.

I know the Minister of Justice was trying to answer the question. I will give him 10 seconds to finish up.

The hon. Minister of Justice and Attorney General.

[David Lametti, Liberal, LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, QC]

Mr. Speaker, as I was saying, the reason why, as an Attorney General, one never discloses whether or not one has an opinion is because that could be construed as giving consent to divulge that opinion. It is covered by solicitor-client privilege, and it will remain so.

[Kelly Block, Conservative, Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK]

Mr. Speaker, that is an example of a failure of leadership.

Legal experts, civil liberties organizations and many others are sounding the alarm, stating that emergency legislation should not be normalized, that it threatens our democracy and charter liberties.

With the support of the NDP, the federal government is ordering financial institutions to freeze the bank accounts of Canadians who do not agree with it. Why are the Liberals and the NDP so willing to trample over the rights of the citizens they represent?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, since the outset, we have been very transparent with Canadians about the reasons why we have invoked the Emergencies Act. There has been a very vigorous debate in this chamber about why, in the government's view, we meet the test under the Emergencies Act.

I assure my hon. colleague that all of the powers that are being exercised in it are being done in a responsible, measured and proportionate manner that is consistent with existing provincial and municipal authorities, and we will sunset the Emergencies Act as soon as we can. In the meantime, we will work with law enforcement to restore public order and public safety.

[Rick Perkins, Conservative, South Shore—St. Margarets, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I was a legislative assistant here in the 1980s. I knew the legendary NDP co-founder Stanley Knowles, who was elected 13 times as the member for Winnipeg North Centre.

In the 1970 debate invoking the war measures act, Mr. Knowles said, “we have to work very hard to show that in our kind of society we still think there is a better way...to deal with ideas that we do not [agree with].”

Why did the NDP coalition not listen to the sage words of Mr. Knowles before implementing the act?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness]

Mr. Speaker, although I appreciate the member's newfound New Democratic viewpoints, let me say this: The Emergencies Act is not the war measures act. A Progressive Conservative government, back when the Conservatives called themselves progressives, brought in this legislation, which was charter compliant and respected the rights of all citizens and every freedom contained within the charter.

It is a carefully crafted law, a law that we have complied with throughout. In articulating our reasons for bringing this forward, I think even Mr. Knowles would recognize that what has been happening on our streets and at our borders constitutes an emergency that required—

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Chris d'Entremont]

The hon. member for Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle.

[Anju Dhillon, Liberal, Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle, QC]

Mr. Speaker, by invoking the Emergencies Act, this government has ensured that law enforcement agencies have the tools they need to dismantle illegal blockades and clear the occupation. We heard directly from experts and law enforcement agencies how these tools were used to do exactly that.

Can the minister update the House on how the financial measures continue to play a vital role in putting an end to the illegal protests and letting Canadians get back to their normal lives?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question and all her hard work.

Over the past few days, we have seen significant progress in Ottawa and at our borders. Downtown Ottawa is free of blockades, and our borders are open. I want to thank the RCMP and all police forces for their good work.

All the measures mentioned in the Emergencies Act are very practical, very targeted and temporary. They were all implemented in accordance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The government will sunset the Emergencies Act as soon as possible.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Ambassador Bridge blockade cost over $1 billion in economic losses. The bridge is now open, but new barricades are blocking local business. We have cancellations of doctor and health appointments and continued job losses. Since the Emergencies Act started, further convoys have been turned back and resources have been invested to protect this national route, even when we just recently faced a bomb threat.

The government has offered support for Ottawa businesses affected by the occupation, and that is good. Will this government ensure that it is helping all the border municipalities and the workers who were harmed by the convoy crisis, because it still carries on?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for Windsor West for his advocacy and hard work in representing his constituents. We have maintained very open lines of communication during the illegal blockades. The member highlights why it is that the Emergencies Act continues to be necessary given the risks in Windsor, Coutts and other ports of entry, such as Surrey.

We are going to work very closely with my hon. colleague, the hon. colleague for Windsor—Tecumseh and the mayor of Windsor to ensure that small businesses have all the supports they need so we can get the economy going again. Notwithstanding the challenges of the illegal blockades, this government will be there for those impacted by them.