NDP leader calls for emergency meeting in Parliament over freedom convoy

New Democrat leader Jagmeet Singh has called for an emergency debate in the House of Commons, after the city declared a state of emergency on Sunday.

Singh published his letter that was sent to Speaker of the House Anthony Rota.

"For over a week, the people of Ottawa have been under siege, and a similar demonstration in Coutts, Alberta has blocked the border and prevented important goods from reaching the people who need them. In recent days, other convoys have been organized in numerous cities and communities throughout the country.

"Not only have these convoys impacted people in their homes, they have also resulted in symbols of hate being promoted, sacred memorials being vandalized, local citizens being harassed and health-care workers being intimidated."

Singh said that it was at times of crisis that federal leaders show leadership that pushes "de-escalation."

The NDP leader recently faced backlash after a strong suggestion that the convoy was being led by white supremacists. In a tweet meant to commemorate the 5 year anniversary of the Quebec City Mosque shooting, though he is now calling for "solutions."

"Solutions are needed not only to the convoy and the resulting blockade, but to the broader situation facing Canadians—a health care system on the brink, health care workers facing burn out, and Canadians who expect a plan on how to get through the end of the COVID-19 pandemic," he wrote.

"In my view, an emergency debate in the House of Commons  would allow Parliamentarians to address this critical situation and to begin that crucial work. I therefore urge you to schedule an emergency debate on this matter as soon as possible."

No response has been given as of yet, though Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has thus far shot down any ideas of negotiating or even meeting with the convoy, going so far as to call the group undemocratic.

"We will remain steadfast to the mandate given to parliamentarians six months ago in the last election," said Trudeau.

"We will remember that there were very very clear differences of opinion around mandatory vaccination, around vaccine mandates, put forward in that election and they were heavily debated, and indeed, protested by some of the same people who are protesting right now in Ottawa.

"The commitment that we made as a government is that we would stand by science, we would continue to do what it takes, to protect people through this pandemic... So having a group of people who disagree with the outcome of an election, who want to go a different way and bring in an alternative government is a non-starter in a responsible democracy.

"That's why we're continuing to fulfill the responsibility that Canadians gave us in this last election, and quite frankly, continue to stand by the almost 90 percent of truckers who are vaccinated, stand by the millions upon millions of Canadians who just want to get their lives back and who know that getting back to the things we love requites vaccinations."

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson has also called on the Trudeau government to appoint a mediator to end the convoy.