On Monday, as we entered the third week of illegal blockades and occupations, the federal government invoked the Emergencies Act.

We did it to protect families and small businesses, to protect jobs and the economy.

We did it because the situation could not be dealt with under any other law in Canada.

Mr. Speaker, we did it because that’s what responsible leadership required us to do. For the good of all Canadians, the illegal blockades and occupations have to stop and the borders have to remain open.

We’ve made progress since Monday. On Tuesday, the border was reopened in southern Alberta after the Coutts blockade was dismantled. The RCMP arrested a small group of people within the larger blockade and seized firearms, ammunition, and body armour. It is believed that this group was willing to use force against police officers. Wednesday, the blockade in Emerson, Manitoba has been cleared without arrests or charges. Traffic and trade at this border crossing have now resumed.

In Windsor, Mayor Dilkens said law enforcement was able to successfully intercept a new convoy suspected of heading to the Ambassador Bridge. And here in Ottawa, law enforcement now has more tools and resources in order to give the people of this city their jobs, neighbourhoods, and freedoms back.

À Windsor, à Coutts, et à Emerson, les barrages illégaux ont été levés et la circulation à la frontière a repris ou est en voie de reprendre. Je veux remercier les policiers pour leur travail, incluant les membres de la GRC sur le terrain.

Pour le bien de l’économie, des familles et des travailleurs, il est plus que temps que ces activités illégales et dangereuses prennent fin, y compris ici à Ottawa.

Monsieur le Président, invoquer la Loi sur les mesures d’urgence, ce n’est pas quelque chose qu’on fait à légère. Ce n’est pas la première option, ni même la deuxième ou la troisième. C’est une solution de dernier recours. Lorsque j’ai consulté les premiers ministres des provinces et des territoires lundi matin, j’ai été très clair : en bloquant les chaînes d’approvisionnement, les barrages illégaux font des torts considérables à notre économie et aux Canadiens.

As is consistent with the requirements of the Emergencies Act, the views of the premiers of all the provinces and territories have been carefully considered. The consultation and collaboration with the premiers will continue until the situation is resolved.

Like I said on Monday, the scope of the Emergencies Act is time-limited and targeted, as well as reasonable and proportionate. It strengthens and supports law enforcement agencies so they have more tools to restore order and protect critical infrastructure. These illegal blockades are being heavily supported by individuals in the United States, and from elsewhere around the world.  We see that roughly half of the funding that is flowing to the barricaders here is coming from the United States. The goal of all measures, including financial measures, is to deal with the current threat only and to get the situation fully under control.

Mr. Speaker, I want to reassure Canadians that when the Emergencies Act is invoked, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms continues to protect their individual rights.

We’re not using the Emergencies Act to call in the military.

We’re not limiting people’s freedom of expression.

We’re not limiting freedom of peaceful assembly.

We’re not preventing people from exercising their right to protest legally.

We are in fact reinforcing the principles, values, and institutions that keep all Canadians free.

The blockades and occupations are illegal. They’re a threat to our economy and relationship with trading partners. They’re a threat to supply chains and the availability of essential goods, like food and medicine. And they’re a threat to public safety.

La Loi sur les mesures d’urgence va être limitée dans le temps et ciblée pour répondre aux menaces des occupations et des barrages illégaux seulement. Les mesures sont raisonnables et proportionnelles. Et je veux que ce soit bien clair pour les Canadiens, Monsieur le Président, quand la Loi sur les mesures d’urgence est invoquée, la Charte canadienne des droits et libertés continue de protéger les droits individuels.

On ne se sert pas de la Loi des mesures d’urgence pour déployer l’armée.

On ne suspend pas les droits fondamentaux.

On ne limite pas la liberté d’expression, ni le droit de manifester pacifiquement.

Ce qu’on veut, c’est d’assurer la sécurité des Canadiens, protéger les emplois des travailleurs et rétablir la confiance dans nos institutions.

Mr. Speaker, we understand that everyone is tired of the pandemic. We understand that Canadians are frustrated with COVID. Some protesters came to Ottawa to express their frustration and fatigue with public health measures and that’s their right. Like I said, it’s a right we’ll always defend in this free and democratic country, but illegal blockades and occupations are not peaceful protests. They have to stop.

On a tous hâte d’en finir avec la pandémie. Les mesures de santé publique sont constamment réévaluées et on va continuer de les modifier en fonction de la science. Et on va continuer d’encourager la vaccination.

This week, based on advice from public health experts, the Minister of Health announced that we’ll soon start easing border measures for travellers. Our government will continue to follow the best scientific advice to keep Canadians safe, and support healthcare workers.

People are making sacrifices, and have been for two years. It’s never the time to hurt our communities or our fellow Canadians with illegal blockades, but especially not now that we’re reopening and getting back to the things we love. That’s why, Mr. Speaker, it is important for us to be having this debate today, and for Parliament to play its role in this process.

Today, I ask all members of this House to take action against illegal blockades that are harmful to Canadians. I ask all members of this House to stand up for families and workers.

To stand up for jobs and the economy.

And to stand up for public safety and the freedom of Canadians.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.