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Ottawa/CMEDIA: Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has made history by reportedly becoming the first leader of this country to invoke the federal Emergencies Act, to handle ongoing blockades and protests against pandemic restrictions.
“It is now clear that there are serious challenges to law enforcement’s ability to effectively enforce the law,” Trudeau told a news conference Monday afternoon.
“It is no longer a lawful protest at a disagreement over government policy. It is now an illegal occupation. It’s time for people to go home.”
Trudeau said the measures will be geographically targeted and “reasonable and proportionate to the threats they are meant to address.”
“This is not something that’s been used ever. But, it exists for a reason… Right now, the situation requires additional tools not held by any other federal, provincial or territorial law. Today, in these circumstances, it is now clear that responsible leadership requires us to do this,” Trudeau said in announcing the unprecedented move on Feb. 14.
In continuation of the federal government’s talks with provinces and municipalities to get the current situation under control and end the ongoing illegal blockades and occupations taking place across the country, David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, with the support of Marco Mendicino, Minister of Public Safety, Bill Blair, President of the Queen’s Privy Council in Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness, announced today the declaration of a public order emergency under the Emergencies Act, to end disruptions, border blockades and the occupation of Ottawa’s downtown core subject to the protection of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
“This is not something that’s been used ever. But, it exists for a reason… Right now, the situation requires additional tools not held by any other federal, provincial or territorial law. Today, in these circumstances, it is now clear that responsible leadership requires us to do this,” Trudeau said in announcing the unprecedented move on Feb. 14.
With the Government of Canada’s top priority to keep people and communities safe, and to protect jobs, trade, and our economy, David Lametti said in today’s news release that illegal blockades and occupations over the past several weeks have disrupted the peace in many communities across Canada, and have hurt our economy and added,
“Today’s declaration of a public order emergency is an extraordinary measure that is time-limited, and that will ensure that we restore peace in our communities.”
Today’s news release said that a declaration of a public order emergency made under the Emergencies Act allows the federal government to make orders and regulations that it believes are necessary for dealing with the emergency, on reasonable and proportional grounds.
“The authorities granted under the Emergencies Act says the news release will help end the illegal blockades and uphold the law…at all levels to secure our borders and critical infrastructure, safeguard our economy and protect the health and safety of Canadians,” Marco Mendicino said in the news release.
The RCMP announced Monday its officers made 11 arrests after searching three trailers and finding weapons at the protests in southern Alberta.
According to today’s news release, Bill Blair said, “The Government of Canada is taking these extraordinary steps to support law enforcement and swiftly end the unlawful blockades that are threatening the safety of our communities, our infrastructure, and our borders.”
