Get 3 full articles or in-depth documentaries for free! Click here

Lametti says suggestion to use tanks to end freedom protest was a joke

Mike Campbell

November 23, 2022

Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino and Justice Minister David Lametti discussed using military tanks to end the freedom protest just days after it began, text messages released in the Public Order Emergency Commission (POEC) reveal.

Lametti says suggestion to use tanks to end freedom protest was a joke
Lametti says suggestion to use tanks to end freedom protest was a joke.

Lametti was asked about the texts while testifying at the POEC on Wednesday. 

On Feb. 2, during the first week of the Freedom Convoy protest, the justice minister texted Mendicino about how to end the convoy.

“You need to get the police to move. And the [Canadian Armed Forces] if necessary. Too many people are being seriously adversely impacted by what is an occupation,” Lametti wrote. 

“How many tanks are you asking for,” Mendicino responded. 

“I just wanna ask Anita how many we’ve got on hand,” he said, referring to the National Defense Minister Anita Anand.

“I reckon one will do!” Lametti replied.

When asked about the texts, Lametti told the commission he was joking about using tanks to remove freedom demonstrators, calling it “banter.”

Critics were quick to draw comparisons to the Chinese Communist Party’s move to deploy tanks against its citizens during the Tiananmen Square massacre, in which the government murdered citizens protesting for freedom.

“No biggie. Just a couple of taxpayer funded maniacs, the public safety minister and the attorney general, considering going full maple syrup Tiananmen Square because of some hot tubs and a traffic jam. (Only 4 days into the convoy),” tweeted Rebel News reporter Sheila Gunn Reid.

Other texts showed that Lametti called then-Chief of Ottawa Police Sloly “incompetent.” Sloly resigned in mid-February over dissatisfaction with his handling of the Freedom Convoy protests, with had then been planted in the downtown core for weeks.

Ministers also expressed concern for non-white protesters when determining their response. Lametti told the commission the concern arose over systemic racism.

Share this story

Help Keep your News Free

Share this story

It's crucial we stay in touch

Big Tech wants to censor us, that’s why you need to stay in touch.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE THESE...

Trending News

US President Biden accidentally called Canada “China” on Friday in the House of Commons, just one day after Canadian MPs voted in favour of a public inquiry to look into just how much China runs Canada.

TCS Wire

March 24, 2023

Trending News

Prime Minister Trudeau has informed the public that it was he and wife Sophie who spent $6,000 for one night in a luxury hotel suite in London.

Mike Campbell

March 24, 2023

Trending News

The Trudeau Liberals have reportedly made an agreement with the US that will see the closure of the Roxham Road illegal border crossing point — so long as Canada takes an agreed-upon number of migrants off of America’s hands.

TCS Wire

March 23, 2023

Trending News

MP Han Dong resigned from the Liberal caucus effective immediately on Wednesday night amid an allegation that he asked Chinese diplomats to hold off from releasing the Canadian Michaels.

Mike Campbell

March 23, 2023

Trending News

Liberal MP Han Dong advised senior Chinese diplomats in 2021 to hold off from freeing the two Canadian Michaels, according to reports.

Mike Campbell

March 22, 2023

Trending News

NDP’s Jagmeet Singh accused the Conservatives of opposing a public inquiry into election interference on the same day he voted against one.

Mike Campbell

March 22, 2023

We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website.