Trudeau: We need mandates to avoid restrictions

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau remarked yesterday that mandates are necessary to avoid restrictions. The embattled prime minister, who is becoming increasingly unpopular as thousands of Canadians protest the government’s COVID-19 mandates, made the remarks in defense of his government’s actions. 

“This government has been focused every step of the way on following the best science, following the best public health advice to keep as many people safe as possible,” Trudeau said. “And quite frankly, it’s worked. We’ve seen the curves lower in Canada than elsewhere, we’ve seen lower death rates, we’ve seen quicker economic recovery, because – because Canadians stepped up. Because Canadians got vaccinated.” 

However, Canada’s death rate has been spiking, even above many other highly-infected countries. In the last seven days alone, Canada has seen 736 reported COVID deaths. 

Trudeau then claimed that his mandates, which are restrictive by nature, help avoid restrictions.

“And I can understand frustrations with mandates, but mandates are the way to avoid further restrictions, or having to be restricted,” he added. 

It is unclear what further restrictions Trudeau might be referring to. Currently, travelers over the age of 12 may not board a plane or a train in Canada unless they are vaccinated, even if they test negative for COVID-19. In addition, core federal public servants cannot work unless they are fully vaccinated, including Royal Canadian Mounted Police.   

Trudeau’s government has said that it will also institute an inter-provincial vaccine mandate that would restrict anyone who is not fully vaccinated from traveling to another province. 

There has also been a country-wide mask mandate that restricts anyone from entering indoor settings without a face covering, though some provinces are beginning to phase out those mandates. 

Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec and Prince Edward Island have all announced plans to end COVID-19 mandates in opposition to Trudeau and his government. Jason Kenney, the premier of Alberta, publicly demanded that the prime minister end the mandates. 

“I'm calling on @JustinTrudeau to get rid of federal travel restrictions, including: 72-hour pre-departure testing, arrivals testing, and isolation and quarantining for kids under 5,” the premier tweeted. “These ineffective mandates have to go.” 

Trudeau has also been facing tension within his own government. Yesterday, Trudeau walked out while John Barlow, Member of Canada’s House of Commons, was speaking on the floor criticizing Trudeau. 

“Canada’s prime minister is pandering to politics by division, stoking anger and fear,” said the Foothills, Alberta representative. “The rhetoric he used towards those Canadians who support lifting the mandate adds fuel to the fire. These are not the actions of a prime minister.”  Barlow then asked point blank: “Will the prime minister act like a prime minister?” 

After some remarks on the floor by the minister of public safety, it was again Barlow’s turn to speak. But this time, as soon as he began, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau walked out of the room to raucous boos.  “Justin just got up and left!” shouted one member incredulously. 

Barlow addressed Trudeau’s action then and there. 

“Canadians are standing up right now, grabbing this moment in our history, because they know there is something fundamentally wrong when a prime minister refuses to listen,” said Barlow.  He added: “If ever there was a time for inspired leadership, it is now. Will the prime minister grow up? Will he do his job? Will he listen to Canadians? “ 

Barlow then sat down and received a standing ovation.