Trudeau must be transparent about plans to end COVID lockdowns

The pandemic and lockdowns are now almost one year old. Despite all the advances we've seen in other countries, such as rapid testing, improved therapeutics, and vaccinations, Canadians are forced to endure lockdowns for longer. One of the reasons for this that Justin Trudeau is betting on a half-baked vaccine plan that relies on partnering with the Chinese Communist Party, instead of working with companies right here in western Canada.

Countries like the United Kingdom, Israel, and the United States are talking about full vaccination rates as early as May. Meanwhile, Justin Trudeau is taking vaccines from developing nations to cover up for the fact that Canada will be months behind other countries.

This pandemic has been hard on people. It has hollowed out our economy. It has cost hundreds of thousands of jobs and has taken a toll on the mental health of countless Canadians. We need a plan to bring an end safely and responsibly to lockdowns. Justin Trudeau needs to be completely open with Canadians about his plans for a post-COVID recovery.

My colleague Michelle Rempel-Garner, Conservative Shadow Minister for Health, has launched a House of Commons petition that takes action on this important issue. This petition calls on Justin Trudeau to come clean and be open and honest with Canadians about his plans for Canada's future.

Justin Trudeau's record during the pandemic has been terrible. Under the Liberal government, Canada has had a record economic decline, the highest unemployment in the G7, and the worst economic growth per capita since the Great Depression. The fact is that Canada spent more per capita in this crisis and is achieving the worst outcomes in the G7 when it comes to employment, vaccine rollout, and business confidence.

Justin Trudeau has failed to present a budget for over two years and now holds the record for the longest period in Canadian history without a budget. He has also failed to be transparent on his massive spending during the pandemic. Conservatives will continue to call on Justin Trudeau to come clean and finally tell Canadians what his plans are when we eventually emerge from the pandemic, well after most developed nations.

Please add your name to the parliamentary petition calling on Justin Trudeau to present his plan to bring a safe end to the lockdowns and to be open about his plans for a post-pandemic Canada.

Warren Steinley is a Conservative MP for Regina-Lewvan.