'Very, very, very worried': What we learned from Freeland's convoy commission testimony
On the second last day of hearings at the Public Order Emergency Commission, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland took the stand, testifying about her role in sculpting emergency economic measures that came into effect when the federal government invoked the Emergencies Act.
Freeland told the commission about the conversations she was having with top American officials about the serious strain the "Freedom Convoy" border blockades were having on the automotive sector, recalled with some emotion a pivotal call she had with banks, and sought to outline why she felt last winter's protests were "an attack on democracy."
Here are some notable takeaways from Freeland's testimony.
WHITE HOUSE 'VERY, VERY, VERY WORRIED'
The main point Freeland sought to drive home through her testimony was how gravely concerned senior U.S. officials were about the impact the "Freedom Convoy" protests and border blockades were having on cross-border trade and key Canada-U.S. supply chains. Citing the automotive manufacturing sector repeatedly as a core example, Freeland testified that the federal government feared the border shutdowns would have long-term effects on Canadian companies.
During her testimony, Freeland was asked about a Feb. 10 email she wrote to top federal officials following a phone call she had with White House Director of the National Economic Council Brian Deese.
According to Freeland's email, U.S. President Joe Biden’s top economic policy adviser called her and was "very, very, very worried" about the Ambassador Bridge border blockade. "If this is not sorted out in the next 12 hours, all of their north eastern car plants will shut down," Freeland wrote, going on to indicate the pair would be talking every day until it was "sorted out."
Here's what Freeland then told the commission about this interaction.
"What was striking to me about the conversation I had with him… is he is a person who is very hard for Canadians to get a hold of… And so what was really striking to me, was how quickly he got on the phone with me… It was instant. And while in some ways, you know, that was in as a practical matter. That was good. But it gave me a measure of how worried the White House was about this."
"This was so worrying to me, because I could see really for the first time ever the Americans having this amber light flashing in Canada, and this amber light that said to them: 'you know what, the Canadian supply chain could be a vulnerability.' … And that's a problem for us, because there are plenty of Americans, both Democrats and Republicans who would love any excuse to impose more protectionist measures on us," Freeland said.
"I really understood at that point that the danger… it wasn't just the immediate damage. It wasn't just the immediate harm. It wasn't 'oh, you know, this plant loses four days of operation.' The danger was, were we in the process as a country of doing long-term, and possibly irreparable harm to our trading relationship with the United States?"
This conversation with Deese then prompted Freeland the next day, in texts she sent to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Deputy Chief of Staff Brian Clow show, to take the position that: "this can't go on," and "we need to show some federal leadership."
'HEART-STOPPING' CALL WITH BANKERS
Another notable portion of Freeland's testimony centred around a readout of a Feb. 13 call that Freeland had with bank executives soliciting input on what the federal government could do to address the protests. While it wasn't stated in the readout, at this point the government was on the verge of invoking the Emergencies Act.
The readout has the names of the bankers on the call redacted, but here are some examples of what the bankers had to say:
"Canada's reputation is at stake… The big hole in our financial system is these platforms, which are effectively money service businesses that are not being regulated as such."
"If you list them as people subject to sanctions (i.e. as if they are terrorists) we could act swiftly."
"I am very concerned about the banking system being seen as a political weapon of the government. We can't politicize the banks."
"Just spent a lot of time in the U.S. last week, and we were being called a 'joke' by people. I had one investor say 'I wont invest another red cent in your banana republic in Canada.' That adds to an already tough investment perspective… This is a national crisis you need to act immediately."
When recounting this "heart-stopping" conversation before the commission, Freeland appeared to tear up.
"That quote relayed to me, really made me realize I had a duty of stewardship. I have a duty. I had at that moment a very profound duty to Canadians to stand up for them. And I'm surprised that I'm getting emotional, but I really felt it. And I felt like you know, the Canadian economy could seem like this amorphous thing. Investment, it can seem amorphous. EV incentives; amorphous. But when I heard that I realized, I'm the finance minister. I'm the deputy prime minister. I have to protect Canadians. I have to protect their well being, it's being really, really damaged. So yeah, that was a meaningful conversation for me," she said.
CAN ECONOMIC HARM BE AN 'ATTACK ON DEMOCRACY'?
In the same call, according to the notes, Freeland called the protests "an attack on democracy."
"You all need to know, I think thus is indeed a crisis. It is a threat to our democracy and to peace, order and good government. I care about privacy but also care about restoring order in our society. All options are on the table. This is not just a job for Finance… and we will not let this happen again."
Asked by a commission lawyer to explain what she meant by calling the protests an attack on democracy, here's what she said.
"I was responding specifically to one of the CEOs whose bank had acted to freeze an account. Based on—this was prior to the invocation of the Emergencies Act—it was based, as that note shows, on what the bank's anti-money laundering systems detected. And based on that, the bank rightly acted. What was a concern for me and this did shape how we acted, was the banks being blamed for taking this action… And you note the mention of Fox News. The thing you have to remember about Canadian banks is many of them are significant banks in the United States as well. They are big players there and some of them trade under their Canadian names. And so they were in jeopardy not only in Canada, but also in the United States, if they were being seen to be taking a politicized position. I didn't think that was their responsibility. I thought it was the responsibility of the government to make judgments about this."
Her perspective on the protests being an attack on democracy as they were painting Canada as potentially politically unstable were probed further under cross examination by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA).
CCLA lawyer Ewa Krajewska put it to Freeland that economic security wouldn’t trump the right to protest, noting that forms of civil disobedience such as a general strike or the 'Occupy Wall Street' movement, do cause economic harm.
Freeland said that, in her view, the economic harm in those examples would not be comparable to the harm seen in Canada as a result of the "Freedom Convoy."
"Had what was happening in Canada been about I don't know, the fields behind the National Art Gallery being occupied for a long time, and maybe some comparable public park in Windsor being occupied and so on across the country. That would have been entirely legitimate protest. But, that wasn't what was happening," she said.
INSIGHTS INTO MULRONEY AND BEATTY TALKS
Lastly, Freeland's testimony also revealed that she was in contact with former federal Conservative lawmaker Perrin Beatty—who was responsible for the initial drafting of the Emergencies Act back in 1988—and then-minister Brian Mulroney, about the Act.
In a text message dated Feb. 22, Beatty, who is now President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, wrote to Freeland:
"While I'm still working my way through the implications, the financial aspects you announced seem to be the most significant additional measures that the government took under the Act.
"I certainly hope that we'll see an early non-violent end to the blockades, although I am worried, as I know you are.
"There are also lots of long term issues we need to consider once this is over, including whether we need to take other measures that could obviate the need to use extraordinary powers in the Act in the future, and how to repair holes in our political system. I'm particularly concerned about the radicalization of people who would normally be law-abiding and focused on going about their daily lives."
Beatty's comments came one day before the federal government revoked the national public order emergency declaration.
Then, Freeland was shown notes that she took during a call she had with Mulroney, dated Feb. 25.
"Emergencies Act- I brought it into law so I am in favour of it," reads one of Freeland's notations of Mulroney’s comments on the call.
"I am glad I brought in that legislation," reads another.
Asked what recollection she had of this call with Mulroney, Freeland said she believes it was largely a conversation about Russia's invasion of Ukraine one day prior, though she noted Mulroney has been a helpful adviser to her and the Liberal government, dating back to the NAFTA re-negotiations.
IN DEPTH
Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B
In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports.
'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral
Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday.
'Democracy requires constant vigilance' Trudeau testifies at inquiry into foreign election interference in Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified Wednesday before the national public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada's electoral processes, following a day of testimony from top cabinet ministers about allegations of meddling in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. Recap all the prime minister had to say.
As Poilievre sides with Smith on trans restrictions, former Conservative candidate says he's 'playing with fire'
Siding with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on her proposed restrictions on transgender youth, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre confirmed Wednesday that he is against trans and non-binary minors using puberty blockers.
Supports for passengers, farmers, artists: 7 bills from MPs and Senators to watch in 2024
When parliamentarians return to Ottawa in a few weeks to kick off the 2024 sitting, there are a few bills from MPs and senators that will be worth keeping an eye on, from a 'gutted' proposal to offer a carbon tax break to farmers, to an initiative aimed at improving Canada's DNA data bank.
Opinion
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
opinion Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care
Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus.
opinion Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create
While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place.
opinion Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds
It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point.
opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike
When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Unruly passenger' forces WestJet flight to make emergency landing in B.C.
A WestJet flight heading to Calgary had to make an emergency landing in northern B.C. Monday due to an incident involving an 'unruly passenger,' Mounties say.
Debunking the 'anti-sunscreen' movement: Doctors say TikTok trend is dangerous
Dermatologists are sounding the alarm about misinformation from the anti-sunscreen movement, saying not wearing sunscreen can cause cancer and other problems.
Three people shot to death in tiny South Dakota town; former mayor charged
Three people were shot to death in a small South Dakota town, and a former law officer who once served as the town's mayor is charged in the killings.
Poilievre Conservatives offer to help Trudeau Liberals pass foreign interference bill
Pierre Poilievre's Conservative Party is offering to help Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government pass a piece of legislation aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada.
The double-level airplane seat is back. This time, there’s a first-class version
It’s the airplane seat design that launched a thousand memes and kickstarted a media storm. And now the double-level seat is back – only this time, with a twist.
Ont. university says professor fired over 'unethical' sexual relationships with students
An associate professor at McMaster University has been fired after its board of governors found that he engaged in 'unethical, inappropriate and in some instances exploitative' sexual relationships with students.
Richard Dreyfuss' comments about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity lead venue to apologize
The actor Richard Dreyfuss showed up in a dress at a 'Jaws'-themed event in Massachusetts, where the blockbuster 1975 movie he starred in was shot, and then proceeded to make demeaning remarks about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity.
'Son of Sam' killer Berkowitz denied parole in 12th attempt
'Son of Sam' killer David Berkowitz, who set New York City on edge with late-night shootings in the 1970s, was denied parole after his twelfth board appearance.
DEVELOPING Trump prosecutor focuses on 'cover-up' in closing arguments while defence attacks key witness
Donald Trump's landmark hush money trial turns on the testimony of a prosecution witness who told lies on the stand and cannot be trusted, a defence lawyer said Tuesday during closing arguments.
Local Spotlight
NEW Oilers superfan hopeful Edmonton wins so he can get his massive Stanley Cup tattoo retouched
It's been a long time coming, but one Oilers superfan is hoping this will be the year he gets to touch up his massive Stanley Cup back tattoo.
WATCH Alta. man rescues wild foal trapped on steep cliffside
A man's daring rescue of a newborn wild foal that was trapped after falling down a steep embankment was caught on video over the weekend.
'Forgot how fun this was': Winnipeg man competing in World Pinball Championship
A Winnipeg pinball wizard is heading to the granddaddy of them all – the IFPA World Pinball Championship.
Ottawa U20 ultimate Frisbee players to represent Canada at world championships this summer
It’s the chance of a lifetime for a group of Ottawa athletes who are getting ready to represent Team Canada at the World Junior Ultimate championships in the United Kingdom.
140-year-old downtown Winnipeg church on brink of collapse
Parishioners at Holy Trinity Anglican Church are praying for a monetary miracle, as their historic place of worship could collapse at any moment.
'Inspires a sense of adventure': Sask. man conquers Mount Everest
A Saskatchewan man made it to the summit of Mount Everest earlier this month.
New gold mine in northern Ontario could become biggest in Canada
IAMGOLD’s Cote Gold open pit mine, located off Highway 144 between Timmins and Sudbury, had its official ribbon-cutting ceremony this week as production ramps up.
Pomp, circumstance, and Crocs: Barrie, Ont. couple's unforgettable day at Buckingham Palace
When one is extended an invitation to the Royal Garden Party in London, England, there's undoubtedly no shortage of pomp and circumstance. Barrie, Ont. natives Megan Kirk Chang and her husband Brandon experienced just that as they entered the prestigious event hosted at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.
Tim Meadows pledges not to shave until the Oilers win the cup, who are the team's other famous fans?
An unlikely celebrity emerged from social media to cheer on the Edmonton Oilers as they face the Dallas Stars tonight in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.