Transcript reveals PM’s call with Bergen

A newly released document shows former Conservative interim leader Candice Bergen acknowledged the prime minister did have “to be cautious” and not “set a bad precedent” when it came to demands that he meet convoy protesters.

As the prime minister testified Friday, a rough transcript of a Feb. 3 call was shown at a public inquiry into Justin Trudeau’s use of the Emergencies Act.

PMO officials had previously told inquiry lawyers that Bergen agreed there were “significant concerns” to consider in meeting with convoy participants, the inquiry heard Thursday.

That statement contradicted Bergen’s recollection of a call with Trudeau, she said later in a statement sent to the Star.

On Friday, the transcript displayed at the hearing provided more context for the conversation between Trudeau and Bergen when he called to congratulate her on being elected interim leader.

It shows Bergen and Trudeau each acknowledged they didn’t always agree, and Bergen said, “I would agree with you the goal is let’s (…) find a way for people to head back home and clear things up in Ottawa.”

Trudeau, according to the transcript, replied: “All of us need to focus on getting the temp down and getting back to normal lives,” but he said “some of their asks are non-starters.”

Trudeau went on to say, “We have our democracy and institutions that is well worth defending. There are ways we can get beyond this. I’m worried about setting a precedent where if anyone wants something they can set up a blockade” on Wellington Street. “People need to be heard and that’s part of our democracy and getting that balance right.”

The transcript records that Bergen then said: “Agree with everything you said. I think that you do have to be cautious and as PM you don’t want to set a bad precedent. I’m sure you’re talking and coming up with some ideas. If there are anyways (sic) we can help, that’s really what we want and we do want to see the temperature brought down.”

When their call first surfaced in evidence Thursday, Bergen said the PMO’s characterization of the conversation did not accord with her recollection.

Bergen stuck to her position Friday, saying the transcript supports her recollection; however, she says her mistake was in trusting Trudeau meant it when he said he wanted people to feel heard.

Bergen said Trudeau has “a long habit of mischaracterizing conversations and interactions he has with people.”