Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Conservative Party members of standing with those who brandish swastikas and confederate flags. The accusation was made after a question from Conservative MP Melissa Lantsman, who is Jewish.
Lantsman quoted the prime minister in 2015, when he said "An optimistic hopeful vision for public life isn't a naïve dream it can be a powerful force for change. If Canadians are to trust their government, their government has to trust Canadians." She contrasted that with his words in 2022, when he called protestors "often mysoginistic, racist, women-haters, science deniers," who are a part of "the fringe."
"When did the prime minister lose his way? When did it happen?" asked Lantsman.
Trudeau responded by accusing the Conservatives of standing with racists.
"Conservative Party members can stand with people who wave swastikas, they can stand with people who wave the confederate flag. We will choose to stand with Canadians who deserve to be able to get to their jobs, to be able to get their lives back. These illegal protests need to stop, and they will," he said.
Lantsman called Trudeau's comments "unbecoming."
After Question Period, Lantsman would tweet: "I think the Prime Minister should think long and hard about his own history before singling out a Jewish Member of Parliament and falsely accusing me of standing with a Swastika. What a disgraceful statement unbecoming of anyone in public office - he owes me an apology."
I think the Prime Minister should think long and hard about his own history before singling out a Jewish Member of Parliament and falsely accusing me of standing with a Swastika. What a disgraceful statement unbecoming of anyone in public office - he owes me an apology. #cdnpoli
— Melissa Lantsman (@MelissaLantsman) February 16, 2022
Trudeau's response was met with outrage from Conservative MPs, who called on the Speaker of the House Anthony Rota to make Trudeau retract his statements or apologize. Rota would then remind all members "including the prime minister" to not use inflammatory language.
Asked to apologize a second time...@JustinTrudeau refuses pic.twitter.com/iwWfVEr0lf
— Jonny Bowhunter (@JonnyBowhunter) February 16, 2022
Conservative MP Dane Lloyd would call on Trudeau to apologize to members of the House, to which Trudeau did not. "They continue to stand with and encourage these illegal blockades," he said.
A new low, even for Trudeau: he falsely accuses a Jewish MP and descendent of holocaust survivors of standing with people who wave swastikas. She did not.
— pierrepoilievre (@PierrePoilievre) February 16, 2022
Enough lying and dividing.
Unite Canadians for freedom. pic.twitter.com/Qnv6ak1LEa
The question was one of many in a tense Question Period, following Trudeau's decision to invoke the Emergencies Act earlier this week. The Conservatives and Bloc have been forward in condemning its use, and New Democrat leader Jagmeet Singh has expressed reluctance in supporting it.
Join and support independent free thinkers!
We’re independent and can’t be cancelled. The establishment media is increasingly dedicated to divisive cancel culture, corporate wokeism, and political correctness, all while covering up corruption from the corridors of power. The need for fact-based journalism and thoughtful analysis has never been greater. When you support The Post Millennial, you support freedom of the press at a time when it's under direct attack. Join the ranks of independent, free thinkers by supporting us today for as little as $1.
Remind me next month
To find out what personal data we collect and how we use it, please visit our Privacy Policy
