NDP want Canadians to have answers about government’s leadership failure

NDP Ethics Critic, Matthew Green, made the following statement:

“Canadians are watching closely as the inquiry into the use of the Emergencies Act begins. Last winter, while the government stood by and did nothing, Canadians faced harassment and intimidation in their own cities for weeks. Small businesses were forced to close their doors and workers trying to recover financially from the pandemic had to stay home and lose wages. People expect answers into what went wrong and how both the police response and the leadership from the federal government could have been so ineffective.

Over the course of the public inquiry, we are hopeful to have answers about why the federal government abandoned Canadians. How could things have been allowed to deteriorate to the point where invoking the Emergencies Act became the path forward. The invocation of the Emergencies Act should not ever be taken lightly, and Canadians deserve answers to ensure future governments don’t have to use this again.

Billions of dollars were lost in trade and Canadians felt unsafe in their own neighbourhoods. Instead of being transparent, in the aftermath the government hid behind cabinet confidence when asked reasonable questions. While this government is not known for acting transparently in face of troubling situations, we welcome the inquiry as a opportunity to take a close look at what went wrong and what can be learned from this situation.

This government must provide answers for why it took so long to act, and why they took no leadership on resolving the convoy using other measures at their disposal, earlier. Canadians deserve a government that acts swiftly to protect their own citizens in a way that does not infringe on their civil liberties. New Democrats will always fight for accountability and answers for Canadians.”