A press conference that was supposed to be Canada’s premiers asking the federal government for an increase in the Canada Health Transfer quickly turned into a conversation about the protest convoys happening in Ottawa and across Canada.  

The Council of the Federation winter meetings wrapped up on Friday with a virtual press conference with all 13 premiers, chaired by British Columbia Premier John Horgan.  

Horgan announced that the premiers were asking the federal government to increase its contribution to the Canada Health Transfer from 22 percent to 35 percent.   

However, once the press conference was turned over to the media, the conversation became about the protests.  

With protests planned over the weekend in the legislative building in Regina and other legislative buildings across Canada, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe was asked if he would condemn the protesters.  

“We most certainly agree that all Canadians do have the right to protest. However, they do have that right to protest peacefully and within the confines of the laws that we have,” Moe told reporters.  

Horgan added that there is a consensus among the premiers when it comes to the convoy protests.  

“The message was pretty clear. We hear the voices of disappointment, but we also want those voices to respect the rights and liberties of other people. And when your desire to have your voice be heard, starts to interfere with the lives of other people, that's when lines were drawn, and I know that others have strong views on this,” Horgan said.  

Ontario Premier Doug Ford addressed the protests that were planned for Toronto as well as the ongoing protest in Ottawa.  

Like the other premiers, he reiterated that everyone has the right to protest as long as it is peaceful saying “any harassment or acts of hatred or acts of violence will have zero tolerance.” He called on people to unite to end the pandemic.  

“It's a shame everyone worked so well together for 22 months. Not just here in Ontario, across Canada, and the public health measures are being lifted as we speak,” Ford said.  

As for the protest in Ottawa, Ford called it an “occupation” that has gone too far.  

“Folks, let's put an end to this. We're so, so close to getting back to normal. We have to be united. We have to be united as Ontarians, as Canadians,” Ford added.   

“What's happening in Ottawa, in my opinion, is unacceptable. As any premier would say, the right to protest their civil liberties, their democracy, that's a given, but when you start occupying, it's unacceptable.”