Liberal MP Lightbound rebukes Trudeau in Press Conference

A Quebec Liberal MP is breaking with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over the governments COVID-19 health restrictions.

This comes as the government stands against the so-called “Freedom Convoy” demonstration that has occupied the streets around Parliament Hill for almost two weeks.

Joël Lightbound, the MP for Louis-Hébert, said Tuesday that governments shouldn’t dismiss or demonize the concerns of people who want the ongoing pandemic health measures to be lifted.

Lightbound said that he noticed that both the tone and the policies of his government changed drastically on the eve and during the last election campaign.

“From a positive and unifying approach, a decision was made 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”, said Lightbound.

The Quebec MP pointed out to the vaccination requirement for truckers crossing the Canada-United States border and says he has not seen the data justifying a vaccine passport for truckers, “This is a policy that now goes against the World Health Organization’s recommendation, and for which no epidemiological studies and projections have been provided."

Lightbound said during the press conference that other Liberal MP's have privately told him that they agree with his position and isn't sure if they would come forward. He also said that is up for any ramifications that will come from speaking out over this.

Lightbound is the Liberal's Quebec Caucus Chair. He was first elected in 2015.