Juno News - October 28, 2022


Conservative MP slams Jim Watson for demonizing the Freedom Convoy


Episode Stats

Length

6 minutes

Words per Minute

146.64845

Word Count

1,002

Sentence Count

98

Hate Speech Sentences

2


Summary


Transcript

00:00:00.000 When we talk about takeaways or lessons learned, one of the things I've reflected upon about this particular incident is the extreme naivete demonstrated by so many organizations, from police organizations to government officials to you four gentlemen, specifically Mayor Watson.
00:00:20.960 You all felt that this was going to go away within 48 hours. This was organized for weeks prior to these truckers and their supporters arriving in the city of Ottawa.
00:00:35.960 They were coming from the West Coast. They were coming from the East Coast and everywhere in between.
00:00:42.960 So how could anyone be so naive to think, given that their mandate, which was widely shared across all kinds of social media platforms, that they weren't leaving until all federal mandates were removed.
00:00:59.960 How anyone could think that 48 hours from now, someone who's traveled from Vancouver, British Columbia would just say, OK, my point's been made and then return.
00:01:13.960 They were there to speak to a government official. That didn't happen. So I wanted to throw that out for consideration.
00:01:23.960 Now, we've heard on a couple of occasions from my colleague, Mr. Varani, who took two opportunities to describe the actions of a certain member of parliament.
00:01:34.960 And I listened very carefully to your responses, Mayor Watson, and clearly your indignation with respect to that member of parliament was very evident.
00:01:45.960 Comments such as that particular member giving it credibility. It's an insult to the wound.
00:01:52.960 I bet I didn't hear that same indignation when the prime minister of this country was the origin, was the genesis for the anger that many people had about mandates.
00:02:04.960 The same prime minister who called these people extremists, racists, misogynists, those with unacceptable views, those who don't believe in science, those who take up space.
00:02:19.960 Were you concerned about the prime minister using that language, Mayor Watson?
00:02:24.960 No, what I was concerned with was seeing swastika flags and seeing Confederate flags.
00:02:31.960 That's not the question. Were you concerned about the prime minister's language?
00:02:34.960 No, I wasn't.
00:02:35.960 Obviously not, because you used that same language yourself. You called those protesters yahoos.
00:02:41.960 Those were disgraceful. They were despicable, engaging in unacceptable behavior.
00:02:47.960 The vast majority of these people were not being respectful.
00:02:51.960 They weren't just outsiders, Mayor Watson. These were people who live in your city.
00:02:56.960 Point of order, Mr. Chair. Point of order.
00:02:58.960 Mr. Brock.
00:02:59.960 The member asked a question and did not allow the witness to answer.
00:03:03.960 Answer?
00:03:04.960 He did answer. And I can…
00:03:06.960 The five minutes is…
00:03:09.960 This five minutes is… belongs to that member.
00:03:14.960 He's lacking respect, says Ms. Benden. I agree that if there is a lack of respect, then we'll have to stop things.
00:03:19.960 But I think we can each… each and every one of us can use our time as we so wish.
00:03:26.960 If it's a five-minute speech, it can be a five-minute speech.
00:03:29.960 But I cannot interrupt the member who has the floor, unless there is indeed a lack of respect.
00:03:36.960 So far, I've found the tone a little harsh, but I didn't feel there was a lack of respect.
00:03:41.960 Yeah, but there was a question, says Ms. Benden.
00:03:43.960 I'll let Mr. Brock continue his line of questioning.
00:03:46.960 Yeah, thank you.
00:03:49.960 The people who were there to support those truckers also include residents of your city.
00:03:56.960 Were they yahoos as well?
00:03:58.960 Were they those who were holding unacceptable views?
00:04:01.960 Were they engaging in unacceptable behaviour?
00:04:04.960 I think the answer is obvious.
00:04:06.960 No, they were not.
00:04:07.960 But you had no problem answering the question because it was important for you to set the agenda.
00:04:14.960 It was important for you to maintain your liberal ideology.
00:04:18.960 We all know about your background, Mayor Watson.
00:04:22.960 We know you're a former federal staffer to a liberal member.
00:04:25.960 We know about your member of parliament status in the province and you were a minister.
00:04:31.960 We know all about that.
00:04:33.960 I bet you didn't critique the Prime Minister when he took a knee when protesters were on the hill during mid-COVID.
00:04:40.960 You probably said nothing about that.
00:04:42.960 Of course not.
00:04:44.960 You were also criticized.
00:04:47.960 Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, I just don't understand the relevance of this questioning and I don't appreciate the tone that the member is taking.
00:04:55.960 He asked for a respectful tone with respect to members of the committee.
00:04:59.960 I think the witnesses also deserve respect in terms of their testimony.
00:05:03.960 He doesn't need to agree with it, but he doesn't need to be disagreeable in terms of the way he's phrasing his question.
00:05:07.960 If I could just clarify one thing.
00:05:09.960 Any statement?
00:05:10.960 One moment, Mr. Watson.
00:05:11.960 There's a point of order.
00:05:12.960 I want to just complete that.
00:05:14.960 I understand your point, Mr. Verrani.
00:05:16.960 As I was saying to Ms. Bendayan earlier, I think the tone may be a little harsh, but there's been nothing disrespectful said so far.
00:05:26.960 I'll let Mr. Brock complete.
00:05:27.960 Mr. Brock, you have one minute left.
00:05:32.960 You were criticized after your testimony at the commission by a member of the press.
00:05:39.960 The headline read, Watson wanted to protect Trudeau.
00:05:44.960 Embarrassed Ford during convoy.
00:05:46.960 We've got testimony from your city manager, Mr. Kanolokas, who basically put on record that you were quite hesitant about even engaging in the whole thought about a mediator.
00:06:00.960 Because what would that do to Mr. Trudeau's reputation?
00:06:04.960 What would that do to the reputation of the federal government?
00:06:08.960 Your exact words.
00:06:10.960 He was very reluctant.
00:06:12.960 His initial reaction was, we couldn't do that, and thought that doing that was going to put pressure on the federal government in terms of, you know, if we meet with them, someone else would have to meet with them, said Mr. Kanolokas.
00:06:26.960 Doug Ford has been hiding from his responsibility for political reasons, Trudeau said.
00:06:32.960 Your time is up, Mr. Brock.
00:06:38.960 yearning.
00:06:40.960 demand.
00:06:41.960 appears."
00:06:42.960 First time loaded with missing the contract...
00:06:43.960 And do not очевидcat.
00:06:44.960 After the sign of Smith...
00:06:46.960 Or Google…
00:06:47.960 I go back to the position at his property on CNBC.