QUESTION PERIOD — Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Blockade Protests--Rule of Law
February 18, 2020
Honourable senators, if I may, I will continue on this topic of the rail blockades. This is affecting our entire country, but it is right at home for me in British Columbia. The Coastal GasLink is an important project for B.C., bringing much-needed jobs and long-term benefits to the province. This natural gas pipeline has the backing of all elected band councils along the route and up to 85% support of votes held in affected communities. With these statistics in mind, we, as a province, are looking to move forward on this.
When the rail blockades first began, Minister Garneau said it was a provincial matter. The Prime Minister remained out of the country for most of the time. He is now back and we are seeing what is happening. However, federal leadership has been lacking in the face of the damage inflicted on our economy and on communities across the country.
Senator Gold, the crux of my question relates to the rule of law. What is your government doing to uphold the rule of law and put an end to the blockades that have caused one of the largest rail service disruptions in memory?
Thank you for your question. I think we all understand the frustration of Canadians and, perhaps, the desire of many for the government to take firm action, clear the protesters out and clear the way. The blockades are not only inconveniences; they are having a serious impact on our country.
We must also recall the situation of Indigenous communities whose rights have been compromised — and not just over the last 12 days but for decades, if not longer — and recognize there are underlying challenges that, with respect, facile solutions would not fix but could aggravate.
All senators in this chamber understand that the government does not control police operations. There is discretion given to police, whether the RCMP or provincial police, and the government is not and should not be directing how operations take place.
Indeed, sadly, we know from our own experience — and my own experience in the province of Quebec, in Oka and Ipperwash and elsewhere — that managing these conflicts requires a delicacy, tact and patience that I understand few people can muster, given the impact of all of this. However, nation-to-nation dialogue and proper communication is the only way forward. I note that National Chief Perry Bellegarde has recently called for calm, constructive nation-to-nation dialogue involving the federal and provincial Crowns, the hereditary chiefs and elected band officials. As he said:
It’s on everybody. It doesn’t rest on any one person. I’m calling on all parties to come together, get this dialogue started in a constructive way.
That’s what the government is attempting to do, and I’m advised they will continue to do it until we can bring this to a timely result.
I am listening carefully and I understand the sentiment behind what you’re saying. However, when we watch the news, we see the containers that are piling up, waiting to be unloaded, and the rails shut down. What is happening is beyond talking and dialogue.
Does the government have an action plan for moving this along? How long will this take? In the meantime, as Senator Plett pointed out, what is happening is hurting communities and Canadians all across this country, as well as small businesses, especially our farmers, and putting people out of work.
I understand the importance of dialogue, but we are listening for an action plan. Would you specify what that plan is?
I repeat: I understand and the government understands the significant impact this is having on the economy of this country and on the lives of Canadians. The government is deeply engaged in this. As you know from reading the newspaper, the Prime Minister and senior ministers have been meeting for days. I am advised that they are developing a plan of action, which they will share with Canadians as soon as they feel it is right.
But in the meantime, the position of the government is not that dialogue for the sake of dialogue is an answer to the impact that this is having on Canadians. It is rather that, in the very difficult, challenging and complicated circumstances in which we find ourselves, it is the only safe path forward to resolve this issue. That is why the government remains committed to working with First Nations; working with both hereditary and elected chiefs of the provincial governments, which have a role to play; working with the industry in British Columbia; and working with leaders across the country in order to find a path out of this challenging dilemma for the benefit of Canadians.
