(Ottawa) Justin Trudeau’s remarks about the demonstrators who block the streets of Ottawa are not worthy of a head of state, according to the leader of the Bloc Québécois, Yves-François Blanchet. He accuses her of provoking instead of trying to ease tensions.
Posted at 1:07 p.m.
“The comparison with aluminum foil hats is not done,” he lamented at a press briefing on Tuesday. It is frankly unworthy of a head of state. This kind of provocation “could prove very harmful in the management of the crisis”, according to him.
Mr. Blanchet believes that the Prime Minister should instead show restraint, recognize the right to demonstrate, meet with the leaders of the trucking industry, recognize that we need to better inform the population and better fund the health care system and plan economic mitigation measures if COVID-19 disrupts border transportation to the point of affecting supplies to businesses.
The horns have been ringing since Friday in the city center of the Canadian capital where many heavy trucks block Wellington Street in front of the parliament. This “freedom convoy” organized by the Canada Unity movement calls for the end of compulsory vaccination for truckers and the abandonment of health measures.
The protest, which drew thousands of people, passed off peacefully on Saturday and Sunday, but there were reports of hateful incidents and intimidation, including against the LGBTQ+ community. Police investigations for threats and vandalism on monuments in the capital have been opened. Swastikas displayed on placards and flags also sparked outrage.
Several hundred vehicles have since left Ottawa, but other drivers have no plans to leave. Another wave of protesters is expected over the weekend. Some would, however, intend to converge on Quebec City.
“Truckers do not have an ally in the Bloc Québécois,” said Mr. Blanchet, recalling that he himself had had COVID-19 and that he believed that vaccination remained the best protection. “The sooner a maximum number of people will be vaccinated, the sooner we will all have the great pleasure of seeing the measures and constraints which are never pleasant being lifted. »
He said he understood people’s exasperation with the pandemic, underlined their right to demonstrate, adding in the same breath that “demonstration and occupation” should not be confused. He strongly denounced the presence of “hateful symbols associated with a destructive extreme right” which “infiltrated the demonstrators”.
Justin Trudeau had said the day before that he would not give in to the intimidation of a “marginalized minority” while condemning vandalism and the use of hate symbols.