QP: Demands to capitulate to the occupiers

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While the grifter occupation carries on in a somewhat quieter way outside of Parliament Hill, MPs inside the West Block settled into their usual Wednesday pattern of proto-PMQs. Candice Bergen led off, script in front of her, and she praised other countries and jurisdictions who are lifting mandates, claiming they are “following the science,” and selectively quoted public health officers and raised yesterday’s presser by Joël Lightbound. Justin Trudeau reminded her that vaccinations were the way through the pandemic, and wondered why the Conservatives were against vaccinations. Bergen claimed that continuing federal mandates were because of Trudeau’s ego, and Trudeau took a solemn tone to praise Canadians for stepping up while the government had their backs. Bergen accused Trudeau of politicising the pandemic, and raised the farce of the country being “more divided than every before,” and painted a dystopian vision of the country under the Liberals. Trudeau reminded her that they did have an election on vaccinations and that it was what won the day. Bergen insistence that Trudeau was strategically trying to “divide and stigmatise” Canadians, and Trudeau insisted that they provided responsible leadership in getting the Canadians through the pandemic, before he accused the Conservatives of supporting the blockades at the border. Luc Berthold took over in French to raise Lightbound’s concerns, repeating the “divide and stigmatise” line. Trudeau repeated that they united Canadians around vaccine mandates in the election, before repeating that the Conservative refuse to condemn the blockades.

Yves-François Blanchet rose for the Bloc, and he demanded better communicate from the government on clearing the occupation outside, and Trudeau reiterate that the siege and the blockades need to end, and it would be great if the Conservatives could tell their followers that message. Blanchet insisted that the government wasn’t showing leadership, and Trudeau reminded him that in Quebec City, the municipal and provincial governments handled their protests well, and in Ottawa, they were offering what help they could to the city and province.

Jagmeet Singh appeared by video, and he demanded that they engage with the Americans to choke off foreign funds to this occupation. Trudeau assured him they were engaged, before raising how ironic it was that the protest that claimed to be about truckers was blocking real truckers at the borders. Singh repeated the question in French, and go the same answer.

Round two, and Stephen Ellis re-litigated calling the election (Trudeau: Canadians made a very clear choice to vote for parties that supported vaccine mandates and it got us through with lower death rates than other countries), and demanded to know what date the mandates would end (Trudeau: You are willing to twist the facts to suit your ends, and these mandates ensured it wouldn’t hit us as hard as elsewhere), Pierre Paul-Hus demanded mandates be lifted and accused Trudeau of manipulating the public in the election (Trudeau: We put the health and safety above all at every step), and Jamie Schmale repeated the demand for a date on mandates being lifted (Trudeau: We don’t let mobs or blockades determine public policy and it’s a shame you won’t denounce them).

Mario Simard demanded an immediate increase in health transfers for the long term (Trudeau: We have provinces an additional $63 billion in the pandemic, and we will continue to be there for provinces; Why won’t you take yes for an answer, as we have been increasing transfers).

Warren Steinley demanded evidence to know why the government was considering an inter-provincial truck vaccine mandate (Trudeau: You can only be a pandemic by vaccination), and Chris Warkentin repeated the list of countries removing their vaccine mandates (Trudeau: Each jurisdiction has taken their own path to get us through, and we will focus on vaccination).

Singh also demanded a federal plan out of the pandemic and demanded more health transfers (Trudeau: We gave provinces an additional $63 billion, and we will increase the transfers into the future).

Round three saw questions on inflation (Trudeau: You should denounce the blockades at the border; the global inflation crisis is due to COVID, but also the barricades that your party supports), seniors affected by GIS clawbacks (Trudeau: There is a one-time payment on the way), the use of anonymised mobile data (Trudeau: We respect privacy as well as science and data), the proposed assault weapon buyback (Trudeau: We are protecting Canadians), “stigmatising” vaccine mandates (Trudeau: Vaccines are the way out of the pandemic), Bergen got back up to demand Trudeau capitulate to the mob on eliminating mandates (Trudeau: We did speak right after you were made leader, but your MPs continue to encourage and support these blockades), the blockade at the Ambassador bridge (Trudeau: They have no right to blockade the border), and to and the lack of an financial update on the Trans Mountain expansion (Trudeau: Because we will still rely on oil and gas in the near term, this will ensure we get the best price for our product).

Overall, the tone reminded louder and rowdier, and yes, nastier, the longer it went on. While there were fewer expressions of sympathy for the occupation outside from the Conservatives, they continued to advocate that the government capitulate to their demands when it comes to ending all vaccine mandates across the country (never mind that the vast majority are provincial), while Trudeau kept repeating variations of the fact that his government follows science and that vaccines are the only way out of the pandemic. The Conservatives, however, kept heckling about the “science,” because they have cherry-picked facts and quotes to “prove” that the measures are no longer necessary, which is not the case (and in fact just a week ago, the head of Ontario’s COVID science table said that lifting all restrictions now was akin to “Russian roulette”). More to the point, they are once again openly promulgating conspiracy theories about how these public health measures are in place so that Trudeau can “control the public,” which is utter nonsense.

For his part, Trudeau tried to buttonhole the Conservatives on their support, either tacit or outright, for the blockades and copycat protests happening at the border, but he had a lot of trouble landing any punches, probably because he remains committed to his sanitised talking points. There should have been stronger language and punchier delivery, but that’s not what we got.

Sartorial speaking, snaps go out to Melissa Lantsman for a pink jacket over a white top and black slacks, and to Jeremy Patzer for a dark grey suit with a black shirt and tie. Style citations go out to Mark Gerretsen for a brown jacket with a subtle windowpane pattern, over a pale blue shirt and tie and blue jeans, and to Anna Roberts for a dowdy gold sweater over a navy button-up top and black slacks.