Breaking: sources tell me Ontario will invoke new emergency measures tomorrow and possibly state of emergency to give province new powers to enforce penalties against protestors. New emergency powers from Ontario to come into effect tomorrow.
#cdnpoli
NEW: Senior government source just telling me that China is going be sending back more medical equipment to Canada than the 16 Tonnes Canada sent in Feb. said it would come in coming days as part of international cooperation.
#cdnpoli
Lots of criticism of “woke culture” and “cancel culture” and “mandates” —just interesting. Not a single word about the Canadians who died during the pandemic or the health care workers who worked overtime. It’s all been about anti mandates and anti lockdowns.
#cdnpoli
Today police say last night there were a grand total of 150 people at what they call “illegal occupation” and under 400 vehicles. So the Emergencies Act used for 150 people? The Emergency Measures Act , OPs and OPP could not deal with that small number in the nation’s capital?
Why do some politicians never mention the 45,662 Canadians who died of COVID? Or their families? As if they are not victims of the pandemic? Or the healthcare workers who worked over-time under brutal conditions and risked their own families health? 🤔
Breaking: Alberta sent Federal govt a letter Feb 5 seeking Federal help to stop blockade at border even tho
@jkenney
threatens a court challenge over Emergencies Act. I obtained a letter sent saying: in order to ensure a return of free movement of people, vehicles and goods1/4
This morning kids/families arrive at protest. Trucks are being signed. I spoke to some enforcement officials who asked why media doesn’t report on protestors shovelling snow off War Memorial? If someone illegally took over your home but then mowed the lawn, would that make it ok?
Just spoke to a guy at the protest who says he’s a fireman who won’t disclose his vax status and lost his job. He came from St. Catherine’s. We had good/civil exchange about the media. He said media doesn’t tell the full story about what’s happening and are failing people.
Bernier hits a new and shocking low: calls Trudeau a “fascist” and Freeland a “nazi”. What happened to this guy who was once the foreign affairs minister to use this disgraceful language? And in the context of the war in Ukraine this rhetoric is particularly outrageous
#cdnpoli
Canada has a fascist psychopath as prime minister and a nazi as deputy prime minister. They recently gave themselves extraordinary powers to crush peaceful dissidents.
But according to media talking heads, PPC is a threat to Canadian democracy. 🤷🏻♂️
Sitting with
@niknanos
and we are stunned that voter turnout is 38.8% with 86% of polls reporting. That’s shocking. Four years ago it was 58%. Imagine, 20% drop in voter turnout. Opposition couldn’t pull votes. What is happening. A huge story.
#onpoli
This is stunning. A US congresswoman just compared Canada to Venezuela and is promising to introduce legislation to offer asylum to those protestors charged by the govt under Emergencies Act.
#cdnpoli
Justin Trudeau’s heavy-handed crackdown against peaceful protesters in Canada is not the action of a Western Democracy, but that of an authoritarian regime like Venezuela... 1/3
Some protestors have ramped up their anger at journalists.
@glen_mcgregor
and I were both doing reports at a camera and protestors surrounded us, yelled fake news, lies, Nazi, disrupted Glen’s live hit, one guy spat at us and then followed us as we left. Getting worse
#cdnpoli
So happy to get the vaccine today as the age category drops! I’m now on team
#AstraZeneca
. As my friend told me, 100 per cent effective against Covid death, so that’s all that matters! Get the shot if you can. We need to beat this!
#vaccinated
Breaking: Sources confirm to me that
@OmarAlghabra
asked Ontario Min
@C_Mulroney
to invoke emergency measures to deal with blockades but she refused to do it. Days later PM and Premier spoke and today
@fordnation
declared state of emergency. It was refused since Monday
#cdnpoli
Hey Joe. Here is exactly what PM said Sept 6: “there is a small, fringe element in this country that is angry, that doesn’t believe in science, that is lashing out with racist, misogynistic attacks, but Canadians, the vast majority of Canadians, are not represented by them”.
Still would love to see your opinion on her getting PM
@JustinTrudeau
to say under oath he didn’t call unvaccinated names? While he explained he separated the unvaxxed from protesters it seemed like Eva
@forevaeva79
did draw out something important there. But what do you think?
Senior source telling me tonight that US, Canada and Ontario are coordinating on dealing with blockades at borders and the province will move “aggressively tomorrow.” Will be a “big step” on “penalties” and possible enforcement action with Fed help.
#cdnpoli
Pretty clear now why he bought this place and how he’s using it. He’s busily claiming the former folks at Twitter had a political agenda and now he’s screaming his own. This is level of public dialogue is just pure low level troll stuff.
Breaking:
@JustinTrudeau
says order is restored and the blockades are over. Within 60 days an inquiry will be struck to look at invocation of Emergencies Act. But he now is ending and revoking the Emergencies Act
#cdnpoli
Holy shit, this is amazing.
Cops in Flint, MI have laid down their batons and taken off their helmets after protesters chant
#WalkWithUs
.
"We want to make this a parade."
#Sundaymorning
We invited multiple CPC members the program today, including CPC leader Mr O’toole, their transport critic and finance critic and others, and all declined.
This reminds me of “the banality of evil” in modern times, when a government lawyer is arguing—badly—that detained children don’t need blankets, beds, soap and toothbrush in detention even tho the law says it must be “safe and sanitary”. This is the raw reality and happening now.
@PierrePoilievre
is delivering a helluva first speech. His years in Parliament, his rallies have made him confident, relaxed, modulating between the personal and political. He’s a formidable opponent for the Libs as he a huge war chest of money, big support and a message.
#cpcldr
I know we in the media grill MPs who disagree with their leadership as
@JoelLightbound
is doing or as
#cpc
MPs are doing over trucker protest. But this is exactly how parliamentary democracy is supposed to work. MPs representing ridings, not just parroting party lines
#cdnpoli
Seconds before I was doing my hit for
@ctvnewschannel
a guy in the crowd drilled a full beer can at me and just missed but hit our camera gear. The guy then took off. So things are getting more angry. I could use a drink…but not like this.
Breaking:
@JustinTrudeau
announces “severe sanctions. 58 new individuals, banks and entities and Security Council, ceasing and cancelling all export permits to Russia.
#cdnpoli
To cross any bridge from Gatineau to Ottawa right now is over an 1 hour and 35 minute wait— cars stopped in long lines—because of protestors. It’s usually a 5 min drive. Everything cut off. Third weekend in row. People seriously unhappy with two cities shut down.
#cndpoli
So: this is something police have to explain. If the city is saying they don’t want the protest to continue, and the Mayor says so, how does this happen?
So what does it say that Mayor of Ottawa used a private citizen/fmr Ford CofS Dean French as a mediator with the truckers days before his police chief resigns and Fed invoke Emerg act? It looks like no central plan, chaotic free-lancing & revealing about the current mess
#cdnpoli
Sweeping new guns laws tabled today including hand gun ban: PM: “it will no longer be possible to buy, sell, transfer or import handguns anywhere in Canada. In other words, we're capping the market”. Also Red flag laws. Fighting smuggling. New fines for altering mags “cdnpoli
Take a moment to remember the 6 million Jews who died in the Holocaust as at sundown,
#YomHaShoah
begins. The world made a vow,
#NeverAgain
. We need to live it and honour those lost.
I asked some of protestors about their views on everything from vaccines to who their actual leadership is to get a better sense of their points of view. Here’s a sample of some of what we showed on
@CTV_PowerPlay
and played on
@EvanSolomonShow
#cdnpoli
This is what debate is coming to? Musk uses a Hitler comparison? The outrageous suggestion that Canada has any resemblance to fascist Germany is vulgar, inaccurate, inflammatory and is insulting to survivors of the Holocaust.
You are a very very indecent, depraved person to tweet this about my children. Look in the mirror buddy and reflect on your heart. Make your own choices by all means…but talking about the health of my children is out of line and disgraceful. Please apologize like a decent man.
Convoy lawyer wasted her time questioning the PM with banal theatrics, irrelevant readings of anecdotes and a shallow partisan last question, instead of actually probing the rationale for using the Act, a section needs more exploring. Their legal team has been shambolic.
Thanks all of you for the extraordinarily kind notes about my beautiful, brilliant, principled, optimistic, fearless, loving dad, Carl, who passed away Nov 6th. He chased life. He loved with all his heart and was loved in return. These are his words of advice to his 6 grandkids:
It’s hard to make this stuff up. The police helping get the tent back…to protestors. Who the police say need to leave. Might have been a moment to get rid of the tent but that’s not the plan. What is the plan is the overwhelming question in Ottawa as Windsor action takes place
The PPS had to come down and help the convoy folks get their tent back.
On the way back to their post, a PPS officer who helped told me, “Now we look like good guys, now which we are!”
#cdnpoli
#ottnews
I don’t get worked up on air too often like this but we are in a deadly pandemic and an anti-vaxxer called in and just sent me off. I love a good debate but there is too much suffering to give this crackpot crap any more time. So...
and approximately 75 personal and recreational vehicles from the area.” An interesting addition to the debate over the use of the Emergencies Act which is going on now.
#cdnpoli
I’ll post full letter soon with
@ctvqp
A short-sighted, divisive policy that will hurt Quebec/Montreal, drive resentment and regional divisions across Canada and deeply hurt world class institutions like McGill and Concordia. Out of province students coming to Quebec are an asset to the province. Terrible decision.
🚨 The Legault government is going to almost double the tuition it charges out-of-province students at Quebec's English-language universities from $8,992 per year to $17,000
#polQC
In his latest bizarre Facebook rant, vocal “leader” of protest group Pat King rails at “Minister”
@theJagmeetSingh
and “NDP govt” (?) for being “racist”—denies he’s a racist despite lots of video explicitly showing otherwise, then turns on Canada Unity. Split is emerging
#cdnpoli
This sounds like a threat to a leader. Is the RCMP looking at this? This has the potential to get very dangerous. He’s done this to a journalist and now this.
Jagmeet Singh was followed down Wellington Street today by that guy who tried to do a "citizen's arrest" on a Radio-Canada journalist. "Want me to arrest you?" he asks the NDP leader.
The video ends with him telling Singh: "Next time I see you, we're gonna have a dance."
Bank of Canada gov responds to question about
@PierrePoilievre
criticism of quantitative easing and inflation, saying “much of inflation we are experiencing today come from international factors”, especially war in Ukraine on commodity prices.
#cdnpoli
Now Anaida Poilievre tells her family story and Pierre’s story, and how their families grew up “pay cheque to pay cheque”. She is a very very good speaker. And now it’s
@PierrePoilievre
#cdnpoli
Two Michael’s are on their way home. Just after Mung released as well. The idea that these issues are never linked was always absurd. But shows how important it is for the world to stand up against the dangers of arbitrary detention
#cdnpoli
Posting full letter from Alberta on Feb 5 requesting federal assistance in dealing with border protests.
@jkenney
wants to challenge the Emergencies Act in court. Lots of questions. Is EA required for this help? If not why need it? Or does this history EA?
#cdnpoli
This
@Puglaas
recorded conversation with Wernick is explosive and clear that JWR clearly saw this as “political interference” and felt pressured. This is massive. How can the Justice Committee now not examine this?
#cdnpoli
Which part of Parliament Hill was “occupied”? You make it sound like the Parliamentary precinct was occupied, when in reality Wellington St was blocked for vehicles. No Parl bldgs were occupied, anyone could move around the grounds. Didn’t media jump on NYT for something similar?
Just confirmed with
#cpc
president
@rbatherson
that third CPC debate “is officially sanctioned and the rules will be applied accordingly. We encourage all candidates to respect the rules they agreed to.” Meaning
@PierrePoilievre
will be fined $50 000 if he skips.
#cdnpoli
BREAKING: I have confirmed that Dean French, the fmr chief of staff to
@fordnation
was the sole mediator between Ott Mayor
@JimWatsonOttawa
and the Trucker Protest group to negotiate a deal to move trucks from residential areas
#cdnpoli
. More to come asap
Quite a stunning presser from
@JustinTrudeau
. Basically an admission that his strategy of engagement and trust has failed. Now he’s repeating what Scheer and others have said: take down barricades. But like those he critiqued for saying that, he has no details how.
#cdnpoli
Fact: it was full before it hit our camera gear and covered it with beer. But it must be easy for you to verify from your safe Twitter keyboard instead of at the protest. Thanks buddy.
The Scheer resignation means that Trudeau has forced Scheer/Harper/Mulcair to resign. May has stepped down. Bernier lost a seat. Bloc swapped leaders. Helluva turnover
#cdnpoli
Huh? Ok. Not sure what this is about Ken but the fact is…I’m living with it right now. Tested positive. Same with my wife and daughter. And I’ll say this: I’m so so happy we’re all fortunate enough to be triple vaxxed! Health outcome data based on 3 doses is very reassuring.🙏
Last night, someone who clearly owns guns directly threatened and harassed my entire family.
I'm speaking to police about this, but it's already forcing my loved ones to take precautions.
You can disagree with my reporting. You can critique it.
But don't threaten my family.
I spoke with Neil Sheard-organizer of Rolling Thunder rally in Ottawa. As a vet he says it’s about taking back the War Memorial from “the powers that be”—I ask what that means. But I press him on why his only guest speaker is racist/Holocaust denier Chris Sky? Link below
#cdnpoli
Rolling Thunder organizer Neil Sheard tells
@EvanLSolomon
the motorcycle rally headed to Ottawa this weekend is purely about veterans.
If it's purely about veterans, Evan asks, why is known anti-masker and Holocaust denier Chris Sky listed as a speaker on their official website?
Liberal MP
@JoelLightbound
holds a press conference saying he disagrees with
@JustinTrudeau
policy in vaccine mandates and tho he expressed his disagreement in caucus he went public to hope the govt changes ways and lays out roadmap on lifting mandates
#cdnpoli
Thanks to all of you who asked about my wife. Happy to report that after a 12 day wait in isolation her results were negative. She’s feeling great! We’re so happy. But it shows how long results take and how behind the data is. This isn’t easy. stay patient! Thks for your concern
Gosh
@janephilpott
is doing quite a superb communication job on
@CTV_PowerPlay
, appearing reasonable, logical, and empathetic. Very very hard to see her as some unreasonable, untrustworthy, power grabbing, disloyal person as some have tried to portray her.
#cdnpoli
BREAKING: Premiers call with PM ending re consulting on the Emergency Act and two premiers including Ontario Premeir
@fordnation
were strongest supporting
@JustinTrudeau
invoking the Act. Diverse views tho. Again. That’s NOT soldiers in streets (National Defence Act)
#cdnpoli
Sir, the “we pick up garbage” defence or “there are children here” is not a justification for illegally occupying a downtown & businesses shut down for 3 weeks. Taxpayers in the city already have garbage pick up and parks for kids taken care of by…paying tax and voting
@EvanLSolomon
I love the sarcasm Evan. Not one piece of litter on the streets. Everyone well behaved. A child holding their parent’s hand. A very Canadian total free for all.
and services through this pivotal location, we are seeking federal assistance in removing obstructions from the highway.…”
“I am requesting federal assistance that includes the provision of equipment and personnel to move approximately 70 semi-tractor trailers 2/3
There are multiple editorials across all papers giving openly negative views of the startling Poilievre claim that as PM he would fire the Gov of Bank and destroy Bank’s independence. Is this a turning point in campaign?
#cdnpoli
A province declares a state of emergency and in the nation’s capital there is zero police enforcement of anything in large parts of the city. The protestors are making a mockery of police, who have not bothered to inform citizens of any plan to re-establish order.
New pop in the weird “Beer and Poilivre” culture war going on now. Mr Poilivre dissed
@SteamWhistle
as “watered down” when they declared political neutrality after he hosted a rally at their facility. So he then praised Oast Beer—who promptly distanced themselves too.
#cdnpoli
After years of coverage I can’t ever remember testimony like this, especially from the former attorney general who was just in cabinate. This is beyond stunning and anyone wondering if this would fizzle out, if she would skate, think again. This might be election shaping
#cdnpoli
My wife got tested last Sunday night at 6pm in Ottawa. She was told results would come within 48 hours. We still have NO results in 6 days plus. Question: how long are others waiting for results? Does this mean the data Canadians are getting is very out of date?
#cdnpoli
The organizers repeatedly and openly show they have no interest in the democratic process or the rule of law. Not just their MOU but here the spokesperson says he’s “willing” to sit as a “coalition” with elected MPs in government. Democracies don’t work like that.
#cdnpoli
In an 'emergency' press conference, the truckers' new spokesperson Tom Marazzo says: "I'm willing to sit at a table with the conservatives and the NDP and the Bloc, as a coalition. I'll sit with the governor general."
Mr. Poilievre, those are a series of edited clips with no context and have nothing to do with what you falsely allege is a “cover up.” I get that this is a way to juice your social media but let’s have a serious, fact based conversation about an important issue. Merry Xmas sir.
What a stunningly candid and unvarnished view from a major CEO grieving the loss of a colleague and friend and his family. Rarely see this kind of raw political opinion from a business leader but in this moment of tragedy PR is clearly not important. Worth reading this thread.
…The collateral damage of this irresponsible, dangerous, ill-conceived behavior? 63 Canadians needlessly lost their lives in the crossfire, including the family of one of my MLF colleagues (his wife + 11 year old son)! We are mourning and I am livid. Michael McCain.
2. Trudeau foolishly completely ignores how taking guns away from his people makes his country weak and vulnerable to being invaded and easily taken over by another stronger country.
Like, perhaps Russia, who is very angry at America right now.
King’s surety Komix denies she paid attention to King’s criminal record, his failure to comply with disposition, hasn’t seen King’s videos that were racist or asking protestors to lie to police, didn’t know horns honked on residential areas. how would she monitor him now?
#cdnpoli
Conservative MP Derek Sloan has sponsored a petition on the House of Commons website that claims the
#COVID19
vaccine is “effectively human experimentation,” and questions the safety of the vaccines being developed. It has more than 22,000 signatures
#Cdnpoli
What data in Ontario is there be that play grounds and out door activity spaces have help contribute to the spread vs say work places? (See debate about paid sick leave)
#cdnpoli
Hey
@RickNichollsCKL
. Please join me on
@CTV_PowerPlay
tomorrow and explain what you mean. How would you like to “dismantle” the press? Which media exactly? By what law? As an elected official you are free to join me to explain this and how it jibes with Section 2 of the Charter.
Some dismiss these rallies as the strategy of momentum to try to dissuade others candidates—or question the number of membership sign ups these produce —all of which may be valid…but packing in 1000 people at a rally in Toronto is very rare and most candidates would beg for this
The room here at rally for Conservative Leadership Candidate, Pierre Poilievre has reached capacity at 650... they put overflow in another room.
@CTVNews
5 Things I hear most often from all sides re protests:
1: Failure of Police: Loss of faith in police to enforce the basic laws.
2: Anarchists: the Truck protestors have long abandoned their “vaccine mandate” message and have become lawless, conspiracy minded anarchists….1/4
“Love will make you do crazy things” does not justify hitting someone. In so many levels Smith was wrong even if the joke was tasteless—which it was. But so what? Comedians make jokes at the expense of rich famous people. It’s what they do. Doesn’t mean they get assaulted.
Breaking News: Will Smith won best actor at the
#Oscars
for "King Richard."
In his tearful acceptance speech, he apologized to the academy and to his fellow nominees after hitting Chris Rock on stage. "Love will make you do crazy things," he said.
Just walked through the protest on Parl Hill tonight and I spoke to two guys carrying fuel containers past police. The Police Chief said protestors would not be allowed to bring fuel to tricks but these two said police aren’t bothering them at all. No enforcement.
#cdnpoli