Sheehan calls for end to blockades

Sault Ste. Marie MP Terry Sheehan issued a statement on Thursday as blockades continue in some areas, including Ottawa and Windsor.

Following is Sheehan's full statement:

For almost two weeks, the ongoing occupation in our nation’s capital have disturbed the lives of Ottawans that have been forced to endure unacceptable conditions, including vandalism, harassment, expressions of hate and violence and the blaring of horns.

Canadians have a right to peacefully protest and express their views, but what we have witnessed in Ottawa, and now at our border, has by and large not been that.

The display of racist, hateful symbols prompted profound shock and outrage across the country. To use Nazi symbols on protest signs and wave Nazi and Confederate flags spewed divisive and inflammatory rhetoric. In a reflection of what took place, my colleague, MP Greg Fergus for Hull-Aylmer gave a statement on Black History Month and spoke about the violent and threatening symbols we have seen around the Hill during the “Freedom Convoy” demonstrations. The link is shared here.

There is no tolerance to dishonour the memory of our veterans and the tomb of the unknown soldier or vandalism. As a proud Canadian to witness demonstrators desecrating the National War Memorial, a commemoration of our Canadian war heroes, is not who we are. In 1980, I was there on Highway 17 North alongside so many friends to witness the courage and determination of our Canadian hero, Terry Fox in his Marathon of Hope uniting us all, and yet we watched in horror as the statue of Terry Fox across from Parliament Hill in Ottawa was defaced during the protests.

Vandalism, harassment of volunteers at an Ottawa homeless shelter or for wearing masks and, expressions of hate and violence – are all unacceptable. Canadians were quick to respond in kindness and generosity and made donations to the Shepherds of Good Hope and to the Terry Fox Foundation. 

It’s time for the blockades in Ottawa and other parts of the country to end, including Windsor. The law must be upheld. Our government has been working closely with municipal and provincial leaders and providing RCMP support continue to be approved. Safety and security are our top priority.

During the pandemic, we have been focused on the health and safety of Canadians every step of the way. The last two years have, without a doubt, been hard on all of us. We all want to return to normal. It is because so many Canadians have done the right thing, have been vaccinated and continue to support each other, that we are getting through this together. With Nearly 90 per cent of truckers and Canadians have done so already, more people are getting vaccinated for the first time every day.