Prime Minister Justin Trudeau -- Image from Canadian Press

By LNN Staff

Trudeau invokes Emergencies Act to battle blockades

Feb 14, 2022 | 3:20 PM

OTTAWA, ON – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday afternoon the federal government is initiating the Emergencies Act against the convoy blockades across the country.

The announcement comes as anti-COVID-restriction blockades in Ottawa and multiple border crossings with the United States continue.

Trudeau met with his cabinet for an urgent meeting Sunday night and spoke with provincial and territorial premiers today.

The Government of Canada defines the Emergencies Act as “An Act to authorize the taking of special temporary measures to ensure safety and security during national emergencies and to amend other Acts in consequence thereof.”

He also briefed his caucus early this morning in a virtual meeting held two days before the Liberals’ regularly scheduled Wednesday gathering.

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The government says, if you are still at the protests, consider yourself warned.

If your truck is parked at the protests, your insurance could be suspended and your financial business accounts could be frozen.

Trudeau clarifies, by invoking the act, the military will not be deployed to handle the protests.

“We’re not suspending fundamental rights or overriding Charter of Rights and Freedoms. We are not limiting people’s freedoms of speech or peaceful assembly.”

Trudeau says invoking the Emergencies Act is “never the first thing a government should do.”

The act will allow officers to enforce laws and bylaws in municipalities and cities where the protests are happening.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney Tweeted earlier Monday that Alberta’s Government is against the initiation of the act.

“This morning I told Prime Minister Trudeau that Alberta’s Government is opposed to the invocation of the federal Emergencies Act,” he Tweeted

Kenney isn’t alone with his stance, the premier of Saskatchewan and Manitoba were both against the implementation of the act.

Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland, says the Coutts Border blockade has cost 48 million dollars per day to the economy.

Related story: Coutts blockade costing Southern Alberta $3M/day: Economic Development Lethbridge

In the news conference Monday, David Lemetti, Minister of Justice & Attorney General of Canada, wanted to reiterate that these measures are “temporary.”

Additional information can be found at Emergencies Act Canada.