Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau address Canadians in a Monday afternoon speech after this weekends rally that gridlocked the downtown core of Ottawa and saw Canadians from coast to coast to coast descend upon Parliament Hill.
Trudeau who has been isolating due to two of his children testing positive for COVID-19 had announced earlier in the day that he also tested positive for the virus.
"Its a challenge that I and my family are facing but there is nothing unusual about it, it's a challenge that too many Canadians are facing," Trudeau stated.
Trudeau turned to this weekends rallies in the capital, "Hate can never be the answer, over the last few days Canadians were shocked and disgusted by the behaviour displayed by some people protesting in our nations capitol.
"I want to be very clear, we are not intimidated by those who hurl insults and abuse at small business workers and steal food from the homeless," Trudeau said. "We wont give in those those who fly racist flags," the PM added.
This is in direct response to reports and photos floating around social media of people carrying nazi flags, and confederate flags at this weekends rallies.
The Prime Minsiter asked those who joined the convoy, that started in British Columbia, who are uncomfortable with the symbols that were on display this weekend, "Join with your fellow Canadians, be courageous, and speak out."
As to why the Prime Minsiter wont meet with the leaders of the rallies, the PM stated, "I have attended protests and rallies in the past when I agree with the goals.
"I have also chosen to not go anywhere near protest that have expressed hateful rhetoric, violence towards fellow citizens, and disrespect not just of the science but of the front line health workers, and the 90 percent of Truckers who have been doing the right thing to keep Canadians safe and put food on our tables."