Trudeau’s attendance at protest confusing in COVID-19 era, Scheer says
Posted June 8, 2020 8:08 am.
Last Updated June 8, 2020 11:57 am.
OTTAWA — Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer says he can understand if Canadians are upset about the prime minister’s appearance at an anti-racism rally.
Justin Trudeau and several cabinet ministers attended a massive rally in the nation’s capital on Friday, held despite public health warnings against mass gatherings due to COVID-19.
Scheer says Canadians have been told for months they can’t gather in groups, can’t visit their elderly relatives or attend funerals to slow the spread of the virus.
“After all the hardship that people have gone through, to see the prime minister completely ignore those types of health guidelines or recommendations, I can understand why people are confused,” Scheer says.
Both BQ & Conservative leaders criticizing the Prime Minister for attending the anti-racism rally in Ottawa on Friday. Blanchet says it's a symbolic gesture & people need answers/action. Scheer says Trudeau broke his own health officials' physical distancing advice #cdnpoli
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) June 8, 2020
Meanwhile, Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves Francois Blanchet is also criticizing the prime minister for taking a knee at the anti-racism rally, saying it’s a symbolic gesture, but what people need is answers and action.
Neither the BQ or the Conservative leaders believe defunding the police is the answer to racism. They do, however, support more resources for mental health and community programs.
Trudeau was wearing a mask as he attended the gathering, one of several held in Canada in recent days in solidarity with anti-black racism protests in the U.S. and to object to similar injustices here.
The movement was ignited after George Floyd, a black man in Minnesota, died while in police custody.
