YOU STARTED, THE PRIME MINISTER
STARTED SO WE WILL TAKE VIEWERS
THERE.
>> GOOD TIMING.
>> Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau:
THE BATTLE AGAINST COVID-19 IS
STILL DOMINATING SO MANY PARTS
OF OUR LIVES.
THIS VIRUS AFFECTS US ALL.
TWO OF MY OWN CHILDREN HAVE NOW
CONTRACTED IT, AND THIS MORNING
I LEARNED I TESTED POSITIVE FOR
COVID-19 AS WELL.
I FEEL WELL AND HAVE NO
SYMPTOMS.
OF COURSE I WILL BE WORKING
REMOTELY THIS WEEK AND WILL KEEP
FOLLOWING PUBLIC HEALTH
GUIDELINES.
I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY
TO REMIND CANADIANS TO PLEASE
GET VACCINATED.
IT'S A CHALLENGE THAT MY FAMILY
AND I ARE FACING, BUT THERE'S
NOTHING UNUSUAL OR SPECIAL ABOUT
IT.
IT'S A CHALLENGE TOO MANY
CANADIANS AND PEOPLE AROUND THE
WORLD KNOW ALL TOO WELL.
[ Speaking French ]
>> Voice of Interpreter:
THROUGHOUT THIS PANDEMIC, PEOPLE
HAVE LOST LOVED ONES.
OUR HEALTHCARE WORKERS ARE
CONTINUING TO WORK VERY HARD.
SCIENTISTS ARE WORKING DAY AND
NIGHT TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN GET
VACCINES TO KEEP US SAFE.
[ End of Interpretation ]
>> Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau:
THE PANDEMIC IS NOT OVER, AND WE
HAVE TO BE THERE FOR ONE
ANOTHER.
AND AS WE CONTINUE TO HAVE EACH
OTHER'S BACKS AS WE STEEL
OURSELVES FOR THE CHALLENGES
AHEAD, I KNOW YOU'RE WONDERING
ABOUT WHAT YOU SAW IN OUR
CAPITAL CITY THIS WEEKEND.
AS MY FRIEND IRWIN COTLER SAID
ON SATURDAY, FREEDOM OF
EXPRESSION, ASSEMBLY, AND
ASSOCIATION ARE CORNERSTONES OF
DEMOCRACY.
BUT NAZI SYMBOLISM, RACIST
IMAGERY, AND DESECRATION OF WAR
MEMORIALS ARE NOT.
IT IS AN INSULT TO MEMORY AND
TRUTH.
HATE CAN NEVER BE THE ANSWER.
OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS,
CANADIANS WERE SHOCKED AND
FRANKLY DISGUSTED BY THE
BEHAVIOUR DISPLAYED BY SOME
PEOPLE PROTESTING IN OUR
NATION'S CAPITAL.
I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR.
WE ARE NOT INTIMIDATED BY THOSE
WHO HURL INSULTS AND ABUSE AT
SMALL BUSINESS WORKERS AND STEAL
FOOD FROM THE HOMELESS.
WE WON'T GIVE IN TO THOSE WHO
FLY RACIST FLAGS.
WE WON'T CAVE TO THOSE WHO
ENGAGE IN VANDALISM OR DISHONOUR
THE MEMORY OF OUR VETERANS.
>> Voice of Interpreter: THE
STATUE OF TERRY FOX AND THE TOMB
OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER ARE NOT
ONLY SYMBOLS OF THE PAST.
THEY ARE IMPORTANT SYMBOLS FROM
OUR HISTORY THAT REPRESENT
CANADIAN HEROS AND THE VALUES
FOR WHICH THEY FOUGHT.
THE SACRIFICES THAT THESE HEROS
MADE ALLOWED US TO BUILD A
BETTER CANADA.
ALL CANADIANS HAVE THE RIGHT TO
EXPRESS THEIR OPINION OR
DISAGREEMENT WITH THE
GOVERNMENT.
BUT THEY DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO
THREATEN OR HARASS THEIR FELLOW
CITIZENS OR TO SPREAD HATEFUL
MESSAGES.
[ End of Interpretation ]
>> Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau: I
WANT TO THANK THE MANY CANADIANS
WHO HAVE MADE DONATIONS TO THE
SHEPHERDS OF GOOD HOPE AND TO
THE TERRY FOX FOUNDATION IN
RESPONSE TO WHAT THEY SAW THIS
WEEKEND.
THERE IS NO PLACE IN OUR COUNTRY
FOR THREATS, VIOLENCE, OR HATE
HATRED.
SO TO THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS
BEHAVIOUR, IT NEEDS TO STOP.
TO ANYONE WHO JOINED THE CONVOY
BUT IS RIGHTLY UNCOMFORTABLE
WITH THE SYMBOLS OF HATRED AND
DIVISION ON DISPLAY, JOIN WITH
YOUR FELLOW CANADIANS.
BE COURAGEOUS AND SPEAK OUT.
DO NOT STAND FOR OR WITH
INTOLERANCE AND HATE.
>> Voice of Interpreter: IN
THESE DIFFICULT TIMES, ALL
POLITICIANS NEED TO SHOW
RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP.
WE NEED TO WORK TO BRING PEOPLE
TOGETHER IN A POSITIVE WAY.
WE NEED TO FIGHT DIVISION AND
FEAR WITH FACTS.
[ End of Interpretation ]
>> Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau:
POLITICIANS EXPLOITING PEOPLE'S
FEARS.
I ASK YOU TO THINK LONG AND HARD
ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR
ACTIONS.
TO THE NEARLY 90% OF TRUCKERS
ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHO HAVE
GOTTEN VACCINATED WHO CONTINUE
WORKING HARD TO KEEP US FED AND
KEEP OUR ECONOMY MOVING, THANK
YOU.
TRUCKERS HAVE TOUGH JOBS.
LONG HOURS ON THE ROAD.
DAYS AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES.
REAL CHALLENGES PARTICULARLY
OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS AS THEY
HAVE CONTINUED TO STEP UP TO PUT
FOOD ON OUR SHELVES AND OUR
TABLES, TO SUPPORT US WITH
LIFE-SAVING MEDICATION AND
SUPPLIES.
WE HAVE RELIED ON YOU.
AND YOU CAN RELY ON US TO
CONTINUE TO STAND WITH YOU AND
ALLOW YOU TO DO YOUR JOBS
SAFELY.
ALMOST 90% OF YOU ARE DOING
EXACTLY THAT.
AND WE THANK YOU DEEPLY FOR
EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE.
THE BEHAVIOUR ON DISPLAY THIS
WEEKEND DOES NOT REPRESENT YOU.
AND TO CANADIANS AT HOME
WATCHING IN DISGUST AND
DISBELIEF AT THIS BEHAVIOUR
WONDERING HOW THIS COULD HAVE
HAPPENED IN OUR NATION'S CAPITAL
AFTER EVERYTHING WE HAVE BEEN
THROUGH TOGETHER.
THIS IS NOT THE STORY OF OUR
PANDEMIC, OF OUR COUNTRY, OF OUR
PEOPLE.
CANADA IS STRONG BECAUSE YOU ARE
STRONG.
>> Voice of Interpreter: FOR
NEARLY TWO YEARS, CANADIANS HAVE
SHOWN STRENGTH, GENEROSITY, AND
RESPECT.
YOU HAVE SHOWN YOUR COURAGE.
YOU HAVE MADE HUGE SACRIFICES.
[ End of Interpretation ]
>> Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau:
FOR NEARLY TWO YEARS, YOU HAVE
BEEN THERE FOR EACH OTHER AS
NEIGHBOURS, FRIENDS, AND FELLOW
CANADIANS.
I THINK OF THE MOMS AND DADS
LOOKED AFTER THEIR FAMILIES.
THE KIDS WHO STEPPED UP IN SO
MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.
SENIORS WHO STAYED STRONG IN OUR
DARKEST DAYS.
VOLUNTEERS THROUGHOUT OUR
COMMUNITIES WHO SUPPORTED OUR
MOST VULNERABLE.
FRONTLINE WORKERS FROM TRUCKERS
TO STORE CLERKS WHO HAVE KEPT
OUR SHELFS STOCKED AND MADE SURE
WE HAVE FOOD ON OUR TABLES.
HEALTHCARE HEROS WHO SAVED
COUNTLESS LIVES AND CONTINUE TO
DO SO.
WE KNOW YOU'RE TIRED.
AND YET YOU DO NOT STOP.
YOU INSPIRE US.
CANADIANS SUPPORT YOU.
WE ARE IN YOUR CORNER.
ALL OF YOU, YOU ARE THE STORY OF
THIS PANDEMIC.
NOT THE CONVOY.
>> Voice of Interpreter: THIS
PANDEMIC IS ALSO THE STORY OF
THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO MADE
GOOD CHOICES, WHO GOT
VACCINATED, AND WHO MADE
SACRIFICES TO ENSURE THEIR
SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS.
I CAN SAY THAT I WILL CONTINUE
TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GET
VACCINATED WHETHER IT'S FOR
BOOSTER SHOTS OR VACCINATIONS
FOR CHILDREN.
I WILL CONTINUE TO BE THERE FOR
YOU.
[ End of Interpretation ]
>> Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau: I
WISH I COULD TELL YOU THAT THERE
ARE NO MORE DIFFICULT MOMENTS
AHEAD.
BUT WE ALL KNOW I CAN'T SAY
THAT.
WHAT I CAN SAY IS THAT THIS
GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE
YOUR BACKS.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE THERE FOR
YOU AS LONG AS IT TAKES WITH AS
MUCH AS IT TAKES.
THAT'S HOW WE HAVE ALL GOTTEN
THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC SO FAR.
AND THAT'S WHAT WE AND I WILL
CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON.
BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IN YOU.
CANADIANS ARE COMPASSIONATE,
KIND, STRONG, AND RESILIENT.
YOU ELECTED US ALL TO GET BIG
THINGS DONE.
AND WITH THE RETURN OF
PARLIAMENT, WE ALL HAVE WORK TO
DO.
LATER TODAY I WILL BE
PARTICIPATING IN QUESTION
PERIOD, AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR
DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM, ALONGSIDE
PARLIAMENTARIANS WHO DESPITE
THREATS AND INTIMIDATION WILL
CONTINUE TO SERVE YOU, CANADIANS
AND WORK TOGETHER TO DELIVER
RESULTS FOR PEOPLE.
THIS AFTERNOON WE WILL BE
INTRODUCING LEGISLATION TO
ENSURE WE CONTINUE PROVIDING AS
MANY RAPID TESTS AS POSSIBLE TO
THE PROVINCES AND TERRITORIES.
AND TONIGHT I WILL BE VIRTUALLY
ADDRESSING THE HOUSE OF COMMONS
ABOUT THE SITUATION IN UKRAINE.
I WILL BE TALKING ABOUT THE
IMPORTANCE OF FREEDOM,
DEMOCRACY, AND THE RULE OF LAW.
IN THE FACE OF RUSSIAN
PROVOCATION.
IN THIS DIFFICULT TIME MORE THAN
EVER, WE MUST STAY TRUE TO OUR
VALUES, TO WHO WE ARE AS
CANADIANS.
AS CANADIANS, AWAY STAND UP FOR
WHAT'S RIGHT.
AND MOSTLY RESTAND UP FOR EACH
OTHER.
THAT'S HOW WE HAVE GOTTEN
THROUGH THIS SO FAR.
THAT'S HOW WE'LL CONTINUE TO GET
THROUGH THIS.
THAT'S HOW WE REMAIN TRUE TO WHO
WE ARE.
>> Voice of Interpreter: THANK
YOU, FRIENDS.
[ End of Interpretation ]
>> WE'LL NOW START THE QUESTION
PERIOD FOR 20 MINUTES STARTING
THE PHONE TODAY.
>> THANK YOU.
PLEASE PLEASES STAR 1 AT THIS
TIME IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION.
THE FIRST QUESTION IS FROM MIA
RABSON THE CANADIAN PRESS.
PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> YEAH, GOOD AFTERNOON.
I'M WONDERING.
A LOT OF THE LEADERS OR
ORGANIZERS OF THIS CONVOY HAVE
ASKED TO MEET OR AT LEAST HEAR
FROM YOU ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING
AND THEIR DEMANDS.
HAVE YOU OR WILL YOU OR ANYONE
FROM YOUR GOVERNMENT MEET WITH
THEM OR NEGOTIATE WITH THEM IN
ANY WAY?
>> Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau: MY
FOCUS IS STANDING WITH CANADIANS
AND GETTING THROUGH THIS
PANDEMIC.
THE WAY TO GET THROUGH THIS
PANDEMIC IS TO CONTINUE MAKING
THE GOOD CHOICES AND SACRIFICES
AS INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES
TO KEEP EACH OTHER SAFE, TO
TRUST SCIENCE, TO TRUST FACTS,
TO CONTINUE BEING THERE FOR EACH
OTHER.
THAT IS MY FOCUS.
THAT IS WHAT I WILL STAY FOCUSED
ON.
>> CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE REASON
WHY YOU WON'T PARTICIPATE OR
MEET WITH THEM AND ATTENDED
RALLIES ON THE HILL IN THE PAST
INCLUDING BLACK LIVES MATTER
PROTESTS AND OTHERS.
IS THERE A REASON YOU CAN GIVE
US WHY YOU WON'T DISCUSS OR HAVE
NEGOTIATIONS WITH THIS
PARTICULAR GROUP?
>> Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau: I
HAVE ATTENDED PROTESTS AND
RALLIES IN THE PAST WHEN I
AGREED WITH THE GOALS, WHEN I
SUPPORTED THE PEOPLE EXPRESSING
THEIR CONCERNS AND THEIR ISSUES.
BLACK LIVES MATTER IS AN
EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF THAT.
BUT I HAVE ALSO CHOSEN TO NOT GO
ANYWHERE NEAR PROTESTS THAT HAVE
EXPRESSED HATEFUL RHETORIC,
VIOLENCE TOWARDS FELLOW
CITIZENS, AND A DISRESPECT NOT
JUST OF SCIENCE BUT OF THE
FRONTLINE HEALTH WORKERS AND
QUITE FRANKLY THE 90% OF
TRUCKERS WHO HAVE BEEN DOING THE
RIGHT THING TO KEEP CANADIANS
SAFE, TO PUT FOOD ON OUR TABLES.
CANADIANS KNOW WHERE I STAND.
THIS IS A MOMENT FOR RESPONSIBLE
LEADERS TO THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT
WHERE THEY STAND AND WHO THEY
STAND WITH.
>> Voice of Interpreter: NEXT
QUESTION.
THE NEXT QUESTION FROM LAURENCE
MARTIN FROM RADIO-CANADA.
YES, GOOD MORNING, MR. TRUDEAU.
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TO
APPEASE SOME OF THE BACKLASH WE
HAVE SEEN IN OTTAWA IN RECENT
DAYS.
YOU SAID SOME PEOPLE HAVE BEEN
VIOLENT AND AGGRESSIVE BUT MANY
HAVE NOT.
SO WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TO
APPEASE THEIR ANGER?
ANSWER, FIRST OF ALL, I THINK
MANY PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY
IN OTTAWA OR ELSEWHERE IS
FRUSTRATED.
EVERYONE IS SICK OF THIS
PANDEMIC.
EVERYONE IS TIRED AND WANTS TO
BE DONE WITH IT.
EVERYONE WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE
TO SAY OKAY, IT'S OVER AND MOVE
ON.
BUT THE VAST MAJORITY OF
CANADIANS KNOW THAT THAT'S NOT
HOW WE CAN END THIS PANDEMIC.
THE WAY OUT OF THIS PANDEMIC IS
GETTING VACCINATED.
IT'S LISTENING TO PUBLIC HEALTH
ADVICE.
AND THE BEST WAY TO GET OUT OF
THIS PANDEMIC AND TO CONTINUE TO
BE THERE FOR EACH OTHER IS TO
SHOW THAT WE UNDERSTAND THE
IMPORTANCE OF FOLLOWING SCIENCE,
FACTS, AND HEALTH EXPERTS.
THAT'S HOW WE'LL GET OUT OF THIS
PANDEMIC.
AND THAT'S WHAT I'M GOING TO
FOCUS ON.
A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION.
SOME PEOPLE HAVE ACCUSED YOU OR
POLITICALIZING THE QUESTION OF
MANDATORY VACCINATION DURING THE
ELECTION CAMPAIGN.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THOSE WHO
SAY THAT YOU SHARE PART OF THE
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ANGER
THAT WE HAVE SEEN OVER THIS
ISSUE?
ANSWER, CANADIANS CHOSE TO GET
VACCINATED, AND THEY DID SO AT A
HIGHER RATE THAN ENEMY LITTER
-- THANALMOST ANY OTHER COUNTRE
WORLD.
AT EVERY STEP, WE HAVE SEEN
CANADIANS CHOOSING TO BE THERE
FOR EACH OTHER.
NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE A HIGHER
VACCINATION RATE THAN MANY OF
OUR PEER COUNTRIES.
WE HAVE ALSO BEEN ABLE TO
PROTECT OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
AND OUR SENIORS, AND WE HAVE
BEEN ABLE TO GET OUR ECONOMY
GOING IN THE RIGHT WAY.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE SOME
PEOPLE WHO CHOOSE TO REJECT
SCIENCE, WHO CHOOSE TO REJECT
THE SACRIFICE THAT MIGHT BE
REQUIRED TO HELP OUR FELLOW
CITIZENS.
BUT THAT'S THEIR CHOICE.
MY CHOICE IS TO IT BE TO BE
THERE FOR THE 90% OF CANADIANS
WHO ARE FED UP WITH THIS
PANDEMIC BUT WHO KNOW THAT THE
WAY OUT OF IT IS BY STANDING IN
SOLIDARITY WITH EACH OTHER,
SHOWING RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER,
AND FOLLOWING PUBLIC HEALTH
ADVICE.
[ End of Interpretation ]
>> OPERATOR, NEXT QUESTION.
>> THANK YOU.
THE NEXT QUESTION IS FROM CBC
NEWS.
PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> HI, PRIME MINISTER.
THANKS FOR TAKING OUR QUESTIONS.
SUPPORTERS OF THIS MOVEMENT WILL
SAY THAT IT'S A SMALL MINORITY
OF PEOPLE IN THIS PROTEST THAT
ARE CAUSING TROUBLE.
SO IS IT FAIR TO FOCUS IN ON THE
OBVIOUSLY TERRIBLE BEHAVIOUR OF
SOME AND PAINT ALL PROTESTERS
WITH THAT BRUSH?
>> Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau: I
THINK OBVIOUSLY THE RIGHT TO
FREE EXPRESSION, THE RIGHT TO
ASSEMBLY, THE RIGHT TO MAKE YOUR
DISPLEASURE KNOWN IN A DEMOCRACY
IS EXTRAORDINARILY IMPORTANT AND
NEEDS TO BE HEEDED AND
RESPECTED.
BUT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY, MANY
PROTESTS OVER THE PAST YEARS
THAT I HAVE SEEN, THAT I HAVE
BEEN A PART OF, THAT I HAVE
WATCHED FROM A DISTANCE ON
PARLIAMENT HILL AND ELSEWHERE
WHERE PEOPLE COME TOGETHER ANGRY
ABOUT A CERTAIN THING WANTING
SOMETHING ELSE TO CHANGE.
THAT DON'T SEE THE LEVEL OF
HATEFUL RHETORIC, OF SWASTIKAS,
OF ABUSE TOWARDS THEIR FELLOW
CITIZENS.
THERE IS ALWAYS A RIGHT TO
PROTEST PEACEFULLY THAT I AND
OTHERS WILL DEFEND FULLY AS PART
OF THIS DEMOCRACY.
THERE IS NOT A RIGHT TO INCITE
VIOLENCE, TO PERFORM ACTS OF
VIOLENCE, OR TO SPEW HATRED.
AND I THINK ANYONE WHO IS PART
OF IN GROUP WHO IS DISGUSTED BUT
WHAT THE FOLKS PROTESTING
ALONGSIDE ARE DOING NEEDS TO
STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY,
CONDEMN THESE ACTIONS, AND LOOK
FOR OTHER WAYS TO EXPRESS THEIR
DISPLEASURE.
>> FOLLOWING UP.
>> YOU TALK ABOUT POLITICIANS
EXPLOITING PEOPLE'S FEARS.
WHO ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT AND
WHAT IMPACT DO YOU THINK THEY'RE
HAVING?
>> Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau: I
THINK ALL POLITICIANS NEED TO
THINK VERY CAREFULLY ABOUT WHO
THEY'RE SUPPORTING ABOUT WHAT
MESSAGES THEY'RE PUTTING OUT.
WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE PAST MANY,
MANY MONTHS CONSERVATIVE
POLITICIANS SHARING
DISINFORMATION ABOUT VACCINES,
ENCOURAGING CONSPIRACY THEORIES
ONLINE.
AND I THINK ERIN O'TOOLE IS
GOING TO NEED TO REFLECT VERY
CAREFULLY ON HOW HE'S WALKING A
PATH THAT SUPPORTS THESE PEOPLE
WHO DO NOT REPRESENT TRUCKERS
LET ALONE THE VAST MAJORITY OF
CANADIANS.
>> OPERATOR, NEXT QUESTION.
OUT.
>> THANK YOU.
THE NEXT.
>> Question Through
TRANSLATOR: THE NEXT QUESTION
IS FROM le DEVOIR.
THANK YOU, PRIME MINISTER.
DO YOU INTEND TO MAKE ANY
CONCESSIONS TO THESE TRUCK YOU
ARES?
YOU
ARES -- TO THESE TRUCKERS?
ANSWER, THE CHALLENGES WE ARE
FACING IN TERMS OF SUPPLY CHAINS
ARE NOT DUE TO VACCINATION
POLICIES.
THEY'RE DUE TO COVID-19.
THE BEST WAY TO GET THROUGH THIS
DIFFICULT TIME FOR TRUCKERS AND
ALL CANADIANS IS TO CONTINUE TO
FOLLOW PUBLIC HEALTH ADVICE,
CONTINUE TO GET VACCINATED AS
NEARLY 90% OF TRUCKERS ALREADY
HAVE, AND TO FOCUS ON THOSE
PRIORITIES.
I AM NOT GOING TO FOCUS ON THE
PROTESTERS WHO DON'T RESPECT
SCIENCE, EVIDENCE, OR IN SOME
CASES OUR DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES.
>> FOLLOW-UP QUESTION?
>> YES, THE PROTESTERS ARE
SAYING THAT CANADA WAS AT THE
ROOT, CANADA HAD PRESSURED THE
BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO
IMPLEMENT VACCINE MANDATES FOR
TRUCKERS ON THEIR VIED AS WELL.
IS THAT THE CASE?
ANSWER, FROM THE BEGINNING OF
THE PANDEMIC, I HAVE ANSWERED A
LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER
OUR POLICIES WERE ALIGNED WITH
THE AMERICANS OR NOT.
NOW, THERE ARE SOME SITUATIONS
WHERE WE WERE VERY WELL ALIGNED
WITH THE U.S. AND WORKED VERY
CLOSELY TOGETHER AND IN SOME
CASES THAT WAS LESS SO.
BUT I HAVE ALWAYS INSISTED THAT
EACH COUNTRY HAD TO MAKE ITS OWN
DECISIONS IN TERMS OF PROTECTING
ITS OWN SECURITY.
BUT OBVIOUSLY SINCE THE U.S.
ADMINISTRATION AND OUR
GOVERNMENT ARE FOLLOWING THE
SAME SCIENTIFIC ADVICE, IT
SHOULDN'T BE A SURPRISE THAT THE
SAME TYPES OF POLICIES ARE IN
PLACE TO PROTECT CITIZENS.
[ End of Interpretation ]
>> THANK YOU.
NEXT QUESTION FROM TORONTO STAR.
PLEASE GO AHEAD.
YES, PRIME MINISTER.
YOU SAID THAT ERIN O'TOOLE HAS
TO THINK CAREFULLY, BUT HE DID
MEET WITH SOME TRUCKERS ON
FRIDAY.
DO YOU THINK THAT WAS AN
INAPPROPRIATE GESTURE OF SUPPORT
TO TRUCKERS OR SPECIFICALLY
ABOUT ANYBODY ELSE IN CAUCUS AND
TO MAXIME BERNIER'S
PARTICIPATION.
>> Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau: AS
PART OF OUR JOB AS POLITICIANS
EVERY SINGLE DAY WE MAKE
DECISIONS ABOUT WHO TO MEET
WITH, WHO TO RESPOND TO, HOW TO
RESPOND TO THEM, HOW TO ENGAGE
WITH THEM, HOW OUR ENGAGEMENTS
AND OUR EXAMPLE, IMPACTS ON
PUBLIC DISCOURSE.
IF WE CHOOSE TO PUT UP WITH AND
TACITLY SUPPORT CONSPIRACY
THEORISTS AND FOLKS PEDDLING
DISINFORMATION, THAT'S A
REFLECTION ON WHAT WE CHOOSE TO
DO AS POLITICIANS AND WHO WE ARE
AS LEADERS.
OBVIOUSLY I AM GOING TO TRUST IN
CANADIANS' UNDERSTANDING OF THE
KIND OF RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP
THAT IS NEEDED RIGHT NOW.
AND I AM SURE CANADIANS ARE
WATCHING WHAT ALL POLITICIANS
ARE DOING RIGHT NOW AND
REMEMBERING WHO IS CHOOSING TO
STAND UP FOR WHAT AND FOR WHOM
AND WHAT CHOICES THEY ARE MAKING
AS LEADERS.
I THINK THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC,
CANADIANS HAVE SEEN AND HAVE A
RIGHT TO EXPECT RESPONSIBLE
LEADERSHIP.
AND UNFORTUNATELY THAT'S NOT
WHAT WE HAVE ALWAYS SEEN FROM
THE LIKES OF ERIN O'TOOLE OR
EVEN MORE MAXIME BERNIER.
>> FOLLOWING UP?
>> DO YOU WANT TO SEE THE
SECURITY FORCES IN DOWNTOWN
OTTAWA AND PARLIAMENT HILL DO
ABOUT THE SITUATION?
>> Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau:
FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD LIKE TO
MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE SAFE FIRST
AND FOREMOST.
THAT SMALL BUSINESSES,
RESTAURANTS IN OTTAWA CAN GET
BACK TO WORK.
THAT CITIZENS CAN GO TO THEIR
JOBS.
THAT PARLIAMENTARIANS CAN
CONTINUE TO DO THE IMPORTANT
WORK OF SERVING CANADIANS, OF
UPHOLDING OUR DEMOCRACY.
YES, THERE IS A RIGHT TO
PROTEST.
THERE IS A RIGHT TO MAKE YOUR
VOICES HEARD LOUDLY AND CLEARLY.
THERE IS NOT A RIGHT TO SHUT
DOWN OUR DEMOCRACY, OUR
DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES.
THERE IS NOT A RIGHT TO ABUSE,
INTIMIDATE, AND HARASS YOUR TO
CITIZENS WHO ARE TRYING TO GO
ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS, TRYING TO
LIVE THEIR LIVES, AND NOT
NECESSARILY IN AGREEMENT WITH
WHAT YOU ARE DOING.
>> THANK YOU.
>> Voice of Interpreter: THE
NEXT QUESTION IS FROM RAPHAEL
PERREAULT.
YES, GOOD AFTERNOON,
MR. TRUDEAU.
THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT
RECENTLY SAID THAT HE WANTED TO
PERHAPS MOVE FORWARD WITH A
VACCINATION MANDATE FOR TRUCKERS
TRAVELING ACROSS THE BORDER.
IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOUR
GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING?
ANSWER, AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE
BEEN VERY CLEAR THAT WE NEED AS
MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE TO GET
VACCINATED.
WE HAVE BROUGHT IN VACCINE
MANDATES FOR FEDERAL PUBLIC
SERVANTS, FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO
TRAVEL BY AIRPLANE OR BY TRAIN,
AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO
ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GET
VACCINATED.
FOR THE MOMENT, THE MANDATE FOR
TRUCKERS ONLY APPLIES TO THE
U.S.-CANADA BORDER.
FOLLOW-UP QUESTION.
IS THERE SOMETHING THAT'S STILL
ON THE TABLE.
AND IF IT IS, DO YOU NOT THINK
THAT THIS WOULD ADD FUEL TO THE
FLAME.
ANSWER, I DON'T WANT TO
SPECULATE HERE.
WE ARE BRINGING FORWARD CONCRETE
MEASURES THAT WILL PROTECT
CANADIANS.
AND WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT
NEARLY 90% OF TRUCKERS ARE
ALREADY VACCINATED, WE KNOW THAT
EVEN WITHOUT ADDITIONAL
MANDATES, DOMESTIC MANDATES,
MOST PEOPLE ARE DOING THE RIGHT
THING.
BUT AS YOU KNOW OVER THE LAST
TWO YEARS, WE HAVE HAD TO DO A
LOT OF THINGS THAT WE NEVER
WOULD HAVE IMAGINED NECESSARY
THREE OR FOUR YEARS AGO.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THE
SCIENTIFIC ADVICE AND TO DO
EVERYTHING THAT WE NEED TO KEEP
PEOPLE SAFE AND HEALTHY.
BUT WE'RE GOING TO FOCUS ON
THOSE MEASURES THAT WE'RE
WORKING ON NOW RATHER THAN
SPECULATING ABOUT POSSIBLE NET
NEXT STEPS THAT MIGHT BE
AVAILABLE IN THE FUTURE OR MIGHT
NOT BE.
OPERATOR, NEXT QUESTION.
[ End of Interpretation ]
>> THANK YOU, NEXT QUESTION
QUESTIONMARIEKE WALSH, THE GLOBD
MAIL.
PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> HI, PRIME MINISTER.
THANKS FOR TAKING OUR CALL
TODAY.
I JUST WANT TO FOLLOW UP ON --
SORRY, TRYING TO MUTE MY PHONE.
I AM JUST TRYING TO FOLLOW UP ON
SOME OF YOUR RESPONSES ABOUT THE
PROTESTERS.
I UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS AROUND
MANY OF THE ACTIONS FROM MANY OF
THE PROTESTERS.
BUT I'M WONDERING IF YOU AS THE
PRIME MINISTER NEED TO ENGAGE
WITH THE FEARS AND THE CONCERNS
THAT OTHERS IN THE CROWD RAISED
ABOUT THE VACCINE.
THERE SEEMS TO BE A REAL CONCERN
FOR MANY OF THEM ABOUT THE
SAFETY OF THAT VACCINE.
AND I AM WONDERING IF YOU ARE
AVOIDING ADDRESSING THAT BY ONLY
FOCUSING ON THE MUCH MORE
HATEFUL AND THE VARIOUS ELEMENTS
OF THE PROTEST THIS WEEKEND?
>> Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau:
MARIEKA, ANYONE WHO THINKS I
HAVEN'T BEEN TALKING ABOUT HOW
SAFE VACCINES ARE HASN'T BEEN
LISTENING TO EVERYTHING I HAVE
BEEN SAYING OVER THE PAST TWO
YEARS.
VACCINES ARE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE.
THE WAY WE GET THROUGH, THE WAY
WE GET THROUGH THIS PUBLIC
HEALTH CRISIS, GET BACK TO THE
THINGS WE LOVE IS BY TRUSTING
SCIENCE, BY TRUSTING THE FACTS,
BY BEING THERE FOR ACHIEVER, BY
STEPPING UP FOR EACH OTHER.
WE HAVE BEEN HEARING PEOPLE
HESITANT ABOUT GETTING
VACCINATED FOR WELL OVER A YEAR
NOW.
WE HAVE BEEN REACHING OUT TO
THEM COMMUNITY BY COMMUNITY,
INDIVIDUAL BY INDIVIDUAL AT THE
HIGHEST LEVEL BUT ALSO IN
INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS TO
REASSURE PEOPLE THAT VACCINES
ARE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE AND THAT
THEY ARE THE WAY TO GET THROUGH
THIS PANDEMIC.
SO, YES, THE CONCERNS EXPRESSED
BY A FEW PEOPLE GATHERED IN
OTTAWA RIGHT NOW ARE NOT NEW,
NOT SURPRISING, ARE HEARD, BUT
ARE A CONTINUATION OF WHAT WE
HAVE UNFORTUNATELY SEEN IN
DISINFORMATION AND
MISINFORMATION ONLINE,
CONSPIRACY THEORISTS, ABOUT
MICROCHIPS, ABOUT GOD KNOWS WHAT
ELSE THAT GO WITH THE TIN FOIL
HATS.
WE HAVE BEEN CLEAR EVERY STEP OF
THE WAY THAT THE WORK OUR
FRONTLINE HEALTH WORKERS, THE
WORK OUR SCIENTISTS AND
RESEARCHERS ARE DOING, THE
PEOPLE AT HEALTH CANADA, THE
PEOPLE WORKING ON THESE VACCINES
ALL AROUND THE WORLD IS THE WORK
THAT WILL GET US THROUGH THIS,
GET US BACK TO THE THINGS WE
LOVE.
>> OPERATOR, LAST QUESTION.
>> THANK YOU.
>> Voice of Interpreter: FINAL
QUESTION FROM LA PRESSE.
YES, HELLO, MR. TRUDEAU.
WHAT MESSAGE HAVE YOU TAKEN AWAY
FROM THIS THREE-DAY HISTORIC
PROTEST ON THE HILL?
AND HAVE YOU TAKEN AWAY ANYTHING
THAT WOULD LEAD YOU TO CHANGE
YOUR POSITION ON ANYTHING?
ANSWER, WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IS
THAT, YES, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO
HAVE HESITATED TO GET
VACCINATED.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE KNOW
CANADIANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE
AGAINST THE HATEFUL MESSAGES
THAT WE HAVE SEEN.
THE PROTESTERS ARE TALKING ABOUT
FREEDOM.
WELL, CANADIANS KNOW THAT
FREEDOM MEANS GETTING BACK TO
THE THINGS THAT THEY USED TO
ENJOY.
AND THE WAY TO BE ABLE TO DO
THAT IS TO GET VACCINATED.
THE WAY THAT WE BUILT THIS
COUNTRY WAS BY BEING THERE FOR
EACH OTHER.
THAT'S HOW WE DEFINE WHAT BEING
CANADIAN IS.
SO WHILE THIS FRINGE MINORITY IS
PROTESTING, THE VAST MAJORITY OF
CANADIANS ARE THINKING COME ON.
IT'S BY CONTINUING TO BE THERE
FOR EACH OTHER THAT WE WILL GET
THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC.
WE ALL WANT TO BE DONE WITH THIS
PANDEMIC.
BUT THE VAST MAJORITY OF
CANADIANS KNOW VERY WELL THAT
THE WAY OUT IS NOT PROTESTING
THE PANDEMIC.
IT'S GETTING VACCINATED.
>> FOLLOWING UP.
>> Voice of Interpreter: IS
THE PARLIAMENTARY PRECINCT SAFE?
AND DO WE NEED MORE POLICE
PRESENCE?
ANSWER, I HAVE ENORMOUS FAITH IN
OUR PUBLIC SAFETY, OUR LAW
ENFORCEMENT.
I WANT TO THANK THE OTTAWA
POLICE, THE RCMP, THE
PARLIAMENTARY PROTECTIVE
SERVICES, AND EVERYONE WHO HAS
WORKED SO HARD THIS WEEKEND TO
ENSURE THAT ANY DAMAGE,
HARASSMENT, AND INTIMIDATION
WOULD BE LIMITED IN OTTAWA.
THINGS ARE NOT OVER YET, BUT
THESE PEOPLE WILL CONTINUE TO DO
THEIR WORK, AND WE KNOW THAT
CANADIANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY CAN
TRUST THAT THESE PEOPLE WILL
SERVE THE PUBLIC GOOD.
[ End of Interpretation ]
>> OPERATOR, WOULD IT BE
POSSIBLE TO PUT MARIEKA WALSH ON
THE LINE.
SHE DIDN'T GET HER FOLLOW-UP.
>> PERFECT.
THANK YOU.
AND WE DON'T HAVE HER IN THE
QUEUE ANYMORE.
I'M SORRY.
>> THANK Y