Toronto, February 9: “It has to stop,” Trudeau said during an emergency debate in the House of Commons on 7th February, Monday night. “
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is calling for an end to the trucker convoy protests that are now stretching into their second week in the nation’s capital.
In his address, Trudeau vowed his government will “be there” to meet the requests for assistance, as pressure ramps up for all levels of authorities to get on the same page to see control restored in the city as the anti-COVID-19 mandate demonstrators dig in.
“People of Ottawa don’t deserve to be harassed in their own neighbourhoods, don’t deserve to be confronted with the inherent violence of a swastika flying on a street corner, or a confederate flag, or the insults and jeers just because they’re wearing a mask. That’s not who Canadians are,” the prime minister said.
“These pandemic restrictions are not forever.”
The debate was called by the New Democratic Party. With worldwide attention fixated on Ottawa, the party said the situation had reached “a crisis point.”
After the second weekend of protests and an uptick in tickets and arrests, the mayor of Ottawa declared a state of emergency on Sunday. As of Monday evening, hundreds of trucks continue to clog streets throughout the city and organizers show no signs of packing up.
The debate was called by the New Democratic Party. With worldwide attention fixated on Ottawa, the party said the situation had reached “a crisis point.
”In his address Trudeau vowed his government will “be there” to meet the requests for assistance, as pressure ramps up for all levels of authorities to get on the same page to see control restored in the city as the anti-COVID-19 mandate demonstrators dig in.
Trudeau, who tested positive for COVID-19 one week ago, was scheduled to be in “private meetings” throughout the day and his attendance in-person for the debate was a last-minute addition to his itinerary.
“I am here because Parliament is working,” said the prime minister, noting once again that Canadians had their say on vaccine mandates — democratically in the 2021 federal election.
He applauded MPs who have also called for an end to the blockades, among all parties, saying that now is the time for partisanship to fall to the wayside.
