February 8, 2022
-Global News
Liberal MP Joël Lightbound is speaking out against his own party’s approach to the COVID-19 pandemic and calling on the federal government to “stop dividing Canadians” and to provide a clear plan for when it will lift vaccine mandates.
“I can’t help but notice with regret that both the tone and the policies of my government changed drastically on the eve and during the last election campaign.”
Most recently, Trudeau has been outspoken in condemning the behaviour of a so-called “Freedom Convoy” of protestors that has taken over much of downtown Ottawa.
Speaking in a press conference Monday, Trudeau said Canadians have watched the protestors “in disgust and disbelief,” wondering “how this could have happened in our nation’s capital after everything we’ve been through together.”
However, his comments have prompted some — including interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen — to accuse him of sowing “division” by “overtly politicizing vaccines and the pandemic” and “calling these Canadians names.”
Now, Lightbound is slamming the government for causing what he characterized as worsening divisions among Canadians — and he’s calling on the Liberals to make a number of changes.
He said they should provide a “clear and measurable benchmark” for when public health measures will be lifted. People are “increasingly confused” about the reasons for these measures, and the government should communicate its intentions more clearly to Canadians, Lightbound said.
“It’s a lot easier to comply when you understand,” he said.
The Quebec-area MP said the measures impact people differently, taking an apparent swipe at Trudeau, whose primary residence is Rideau Cottage.
“Not everyone can earn a living on a Macbook at a cottage,” Lightbound said.
Global News has contacted the prime minister’s office for comment.
While the MP said he doesn’t necessarily believe public health measures should be lifted immediately, he has concerns about what he called the government’s decision to “wedge, to divide, and to stigmatize.”
“I fear that this politicization of the pandemic risks undermining the public’s trust in our public health institutions. This is not a risk we ought to be taking lightly.”
