Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre says he stands by the "peaceful, law-abiding" protesters that made up the Freedom Convoy..“I support those peaceful and law-abiding protesters who demonstrated for their lives and livelihoods and liberties, while condemning any individual who broke laws, behaved badly, or blockaded critical infrastructure,” Poilievre said..During a press conference in Vancouver, B.C. on Wednesday, Poilievre was asked whether the Public Order Emergency Inquiry had changed his opinion on the Freedom Convoy. The inquiry is currently investigating whether the federal government was justified in implementing the Emergencies Act to put an end to the trucker protest..Poilievre said it was possible to support the overall cause of the protestors — a personal free choice in vaccination and allowing truckers to earn an income — while at the same time, "holding individually responsible anyone who behaved badly, broke laws, or blockaded key infrastructure.."That was my position before, during, and now," he said..During the press conference, Poilievre was also asked about Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's intention to introduce legislation enabling the province to opt out of federal laws. .“The problem is not any particular premier,” he said. “The problem is the prime minister created these divisions and caused people to feel like they have no choice but to engage in conflict with the nation’s capital.".“I think what we need to do is have a prime minister that will respect provincial jurisdiction, allow our resources to be developed and get things done with the premiers rather than picking pointless fights and dividing Canadians for political advantage.”.Poilievre was also asked why he hasn't held more press conferences in Ottawa. The Conservative leader responded, "it's not just the Parliamentary Press Gallery that controls the agenda."."You need to be out in the real world, to talk to real people on the ground. Everyday people who are living their lives under the terrible policies of Justin Trudeau, who can't pay their bills, who see crime going wild on our streets, who can't get children's medicine in their local pharmacies even though it's available on the other side of the border," he said.."It won't just be the Parliamentary Press Gallery that has a voice anymore. All Canadians are going to have a voice."
