Maxime Bernier plans to join trucker convoy in Ottawa, accuses Trudeau of 'colluding' with Biden on mandates
Maxime Bernier intends to participate in the demonstration of truckers who, according to him, are victims, like all non-vaccinated people, of discriminatory authoritarian measures that must end.
In a virtual press conference on Friday, the leader of the People's Party of Canada (PPC) launched a full-throated charge against the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau government and the provincial governments, accusing them of violating the rights of Canadians with health measures that are the exception, while European countries and American states are lifting their restrictions.
He said that unvaccinated cross-border truckers are safe and should be able to continue their work unhindered at the border. He also condemned similar measures imposed by U.S. authorities at the border, accusing the prime minister of "colluding" with President Joe Biden.
Taking the opportunity to indulge in a purely political exercise, Maxime Bernier congratulated Conservative MPs Candice Bergen and Pierre Poilièvre for their support of the truckers, inviting them to join his party, believing that the Conservative Party and its leader, Erin O'Toole, have become "morally and intellectually corrupt."
He also demanded that the federal government remove the vaccination requirement for public servants and employees of federally regulated companies, rehire all those laid off for this reason, and require severance pay and access to employment insurance for those who choose not to return to work.
He also called for the lifting of the ban on unvaccinated people travelling by plane, train or boat, seeing it as an infringement of their constitutional rights.
Finally, he called on Ottawa to stop financially supporting provinces that are hurting their economies by imposing excessive health measures. Bernier believes that the provinces should be responsible for the costs of their choices.
The leader of the People's Party disassociated himself from the comments of some participants in the truckers' convoy who are calling for violence and from organizers who say they want the current government to be replaced by a committee made up of senators and the governor general. He reminded the audience that democracy must be the basis for changes in government.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Jan. 28, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Fluid in eye cells can 'boil' if you watch the eclipse without protection: expert
Millions of people in parts of Eastern and Atlantic Canada will be able to see the rare solar eclipse happening on April 8. But they should only look up if they have proper eye protection, experts say.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
NEW More unauthorized products for skin, sexual enhancement, recalled: Here are the recalls of this week
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled various items this week, including torches, beef biltong and unauthorized products related to skin care and sexual enhancement.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Do these exercises for core strength if you can't stomach doing planks
Planks are one of the most effective exercises for strengthening your midsection, as they target all of your major core muscles: the transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, external obliques and internal obliques. Yet despite the popularity of various 10-minute plank challenges, planking is actually one of the most dreaded core exercises, according to many fitness experts.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Polar ice is melting and changing Earth's rotation. It's messing with time itself
One day in the next couple of years, everyone in the world will lose a second of their time. Exactly when that will happen is being influenced by humans, according to a new study, as melting polar ice alters the Earth’s rotation and changes time itself.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
NEW 'Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire': A crowd pleaser that turns it up to 11
Hot on the heels of last year's 'Godzilla Minus One' comes 'Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,' the first ever Academy Award winner in the giant reptile's decades-long film career.