Today: February 7, 2022

Today: February 7, 2022

By Andrew Thomson | UPDATED 8:02pmET

Trudeau joins House of Commons emergency debate on protest response

The Ottawa protest trying to blockade both democracy and the economy "has to stop," according to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who argued tonight that Canadians should be united in fighting the COVID-19 virus instead of each other. 

"The people of Ottawa don’t deserve to be harassed in their own neighborhoods," Trudeau said during tonight's emergency debate in the House of Commons.

Trudeau said Canadian voters chose vaccines and science in last September's federal election, and that responsible leadership is needed now to protect democracy. 

"We have to make sure that our shared values ... (have) to be here to stay," the prime minister added as he closed his formal remarks. 

Trudeau was in the House chamber for the first time this year, after announcing a positive COVID-19 test result last week as sittings resumed. 

House Speaker Anthony Rota approved an emergency debate request from the NDP, which wants the House of Commons to consider what party leader Jagmeet Singh called the "crisis on our hands" and the need for federal leadership as protesters opposed to COVID-19 vaccine mandates and public health restrictions continue to occupy downtown Ottawa.

"Things cannot continue as they are," according to Singh, who wants MPs to consider:

  • the need for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to offer more assistance to Ottawa and other communities affected by harassment and violence
  • foreign funding of a clear attempt to undermine Canadian democracy and overthrow the government 
  • the need for a plan to escape the pandemic, including vaccination and health-care capacity
  • longstanding problems that pre-date the pandemic such as housing affordability and the cost of living

An emergency debate must "relate to a genuine emergency, calling for immediate and urgent consideration," according to the Standing Orders of the House of Commons.

Speeches during emergency debates are limited to 20 minutes, with a 10-minute questions and comments period to follow. Other rules of parliamentary procedure still apply.

Watch Jagmeet Singh with CPAC's Peter Van Dusen earlier today on PrimeTime Politics:

And watch Singh's full news conference from this morning:

Federal government proposes "trilateral table" to coordinate protest response; City of Ottawa seeks 1,800 extra police officers; Bergen seeks meeting with PM and other party leaders

The federal government is proposing a "trilateral table" with the province of Ontario and city of Ottawa to communicate and respond to the continuing protest and occupation in the national capital, but Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair told reporters today the responsibility for maintaining order remains with local police acting within their proper jurisdiction. 

The City of Ottawa has requested 1,800 additional police officers from the federal and provincial governments to "quell the insurrection that the Ottawa Police Service is not able to contain ... to take back the streets of Ottawa, and our parliamentary precinct, from the criminal activity and hooliganism that has transpired over the last nine days," according to a letter from Mayor Jim Watson. 

Watch: speakers included Bill Blair (emergency preparedness), Marco Mendicino (public safety), Dominic LeBlanc (intergovernmental affairs and infrastructure), Mona Fortier (Treasury Board president), Omar Alghabra (transport), and Ottawa Centre MP Yasir Naqvi

Watch: Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and other city officials brief reporters on the situation in the national capital

Meanwhile, interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen has posted an open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, calling for a meeting of party leaders to try and "de-escalate the protests" and "take the temperature down."

Bergen said the pandemic response must be de-politicized, but accused Trudeau of being "largely absent" as the Ottawa protest has grown over the past week.

WATCH: journalists Susan Delacourt (Toronto Star), Joël Denis Bellavance (La Presse), and Marieke Walsh (The Globe and Mail) comment on the Ottawa protests and the Conservative leadership race

In the House

Watch today's question period:

Debate continued on the bill to implement measures from the December economic and fiscal update.

C-8 includes:

  • $1.7 billion to the provinces and territories for rapid testing
  • a Small Businesses Air Quality Improvement Tax Credit for ventilation and air filtration upgrades
  • expansion of the School Supplies Tax Credit
  • a tax credit to return fuel charge proceeds to farmers in provinces subject to the federal carbon backstop
  • the Liberal pledge to impose a 1% annual tax on the value of "vacant or underused residential property directly or indirectly owned by non-resident non-Canadians."

In Committee

Federal privacy commissioner Daniel Therrien goes before the House of Commons ethics committee for questions of the federal collection and use of data from millions of mobile devices to analyze the movement of Canadians during the pandemic. 11am ET / 8am PT

Pre-budget consultations continue at the Standing Committee on Finance. 11am ET / 8am PT

Trade Minister Mary Ng faces questions on Canada-U.S. trade issues when she appears at the Commons international trade committee. 3:30pm ET / 12:30pm PT

Members of the Net-Zero Advisory Body, the Canada West Foundation, and academic experts brief the natural resources committee on a potential emissions cap for the oil and gas sector. 3:30pm ET / 12:30pm PT

Official languages commissioner Raymond Théberge goes before the Senate official languages committee. 5pm ET / 2pm PT

Today in Politics: Mark Sutcliffe and Peter Van Dusen

Conversations continue about leadership as demonstrators remain in downtown Ottawa; what impact is the demonstration having on the Conservative party? Pierre Poilievre announces his intention to become Prime Minister.

Here's Mark Sutcliffe with your morning update: