Prepared Remarks (Check against delivery)

Mr. Speaker, it is with sadness but with resolve that I rise to take part in this historic debate. The country, and indeed the world, is watching what is happening here. I hope that we can prove to be worthy of this moment in Canada’s history.

I would like to begin by thanking the members of the Parliamentary Protective Service, who have been working hard to keep us all safe and to ensure that the people’s servants can continue the people’s work uninterrupted. And it’s so important that our work continue.

That we show the people outside, and indeed the world, that our democracy is strong and we will not be intimidated.

Mr. Speaker, we’re three weeks into the occupation of Ottawa. Centered as it is on our workplace, we have been unable to avoid its impact. And as we reflect, I would ask that we remember that your experience may be different than mine.

Some may feel comfortable walking through the lines without fear. As a racialized woman, a very visible Muslim because of MY choice to wear the Hijab, my experience has been different.

I cannot ignore the ties to white supremacy, Islamophobia and anti-Semitism within this movement.

One of those arrested in Coutts for possession of a weapon and other charges has a history of Islamophobic social media posts and memes, pushing the conspiracy theory that the Prime Minister is working with quote Islamists unquote to take over Canada through immigration.

We have seen how online hate can transition to real world violence. So it’s with worry that I walk to Parliament each day. Watching carefully those around me. It is a heavy weight to carry, Mr. Speaker. It weights on my soul.

My husband and my children are very worried for me. But I told them I am going to keep showing up. I will not be intimidated.

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to address some of the points I often hear from the supporters of the occupiers. They say this is a peaceful protest, it’s just hot tubs and bouncy castles.

No. No, it is much, much more.

These numbers are a day or two old, but Ottawa police have launched more than 172 criminal investigations. 18 arrests. 33 charges. Over 3,000 tickets issued.

In Coutts, four charged with conspiracy to murder RCMP officers.

13 arrests, with the seizure of more than a dozen long guns, hand guns, ammunition and body armor.

In Windsor, police have made more than 42 arrests and seized 37 vehicles since the protests there began.

People have been verbally and physically assaulted for exercising their freedom to wear a mask.

This is not a peaceful protest.

But actions don’t have to be physical to be violent.

Being prevented from earning a living, to go to work, to run a business – that is a violent act.

The Rideau Centre and many other downtown Ottawa businesses have been closed for weeks because police can’t guarantee their safety from maskless protestors seeking to intimidate and frighten employees and customers. Hundreds of minimum wage retail and food workers unable to go to work and earn the money they need to pay rent and feed their kids.

The closure of the Ambassador Bridge cost over $390 million in two-way trade every day it was closed. Autoworkers and others reliant on that trade faced temporary layoffs.

This is not a peaceful protest.

The two major grocery stores in Centretown have been forced to close at times during this occupation for safety reasons, making it difficult for residents to buy groceries. Bus service has been shut down through most of the core, and not everyone is able to walk – especially at minus 30 as it has been some days.

This is not a peaceful protest.

Making residents feel unsafe walking their children down their street. Taking away their freedom of movement by occupying their streets. Polluting their air with diesel fumes 24/7. Honking so constant and loud it took a court order to somewhat reduce it.

This is not a peaceful protest. It is torture.

I support peaceful protest. And for those for whom this is about vaccine mandates, especially those outside of Ottawa that don’t see what life has been like for people here, I want to say that is a fair debate. And you have a right to protest and be heard.

And I understand your frustration. I’m frustrated too. We’re all tired of this pandemic. I want it to be over as much as you do. I have family overseas I have not been able to visit in two years. Believe me, your voice has been heard, and understood.

But we cannot just wish this pandemic away. Canadians have sacrificed too much. I believe, I hope, we are close to the end. But I don’t want to risk seeing restrictions lifted too early and people dying that didn’t have to. That’s the challenge here I believe.

I support your right to protest on these points. Peacefully. Park your vehicle, take the LRT downtown, stand on the lawn and protest all day. But peaceful protest does not mean blocking city streets. It does not mean blocking trade and commerce. It does not mean threatening and intimidating local residents who are just trying to live their lives.

It’s time to give the people of Ottawa their city back.

And allow me to say to the people of Ottawa, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for what you’ve had to live through and endure. You don’t deserve this. I won’t pre-judge the commissions and the inquiries that will follow. Right now, the focus must be restoring order. But you have deserved better from all of us.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to speak to our staff. I started my career in politics as an assistant at Queen’s Park, and I know how hard our staff work.

We get to go home on the weekends, back to our ridings and away from this occupation. They have to stay here. Because our Ottawa staff live here. Many of them in Centretown or the Byward Market, in the heart of this.

I urge my colleagues to ask their staff, who we couldn’t do our jobs without, how do they feel? How are they doing? How is their mental health through all this? What is it like on the weekends, when we have gone home but thousands more people bent on trouble and violence descend on the downtown core?

I’m so sorry they’ve had to go through this. That their families have had to go through this. And that some have had to watch as their bosses have posed for photos with the people making their lives unbearable. Photos they then have to post on their boss’s social media. I’m sorry, and I hope you have the support you need to get through this.

Mr. Speaker, I believe in the Charter of Rights. But I feel like so many that quote it haven’t really read it. With rights come responsibilities. And your rights don’t override my rights. We have a responsibility to one another. That’s part of living in a democratic society.

Canada is founded on the principles of peace, order and good government. Across our country today, that is under threat by a foreign-funded movement that, under the guise of vaccine mandates, seeks to disrupt our lives, disrupt our trade and commerce, and disrupt our faith in our institutions. Our faith in one another.

The measures in this act are targeted. They are proportionate. They respect the charter. And they give the police the tools and powers they need to restore law and order in our country.

It is time to put our democracy first. I will be supporting this order.

Thank you Mr. Speaker.