Trudeau Invokes the Emergencies Act

Monday, 14 February 2022 at 16:57

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the Federal Government is ready to use more tools at it's disposable to get the situation under control.

CANADA - The Federal Government has invoked the Emergencies Act due to ongoing protests and blockades across the Country.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the Federal Government is ready to use more tools at it's disposable to get the situation under control.

"I want to be very clear, the scope of these measures will time limited, geographically targeted as well are reasonable and proportionate to the threats they are meant to address. The Emergencies Act will be used to strengthen and support law enforcement agencies at all levels across the country. This is about keeping Canadians safe, protecting people's jobs and restoring confidence in our institutions."

Trudeau says the measures will give police more tools to restore order in places where public assemblies can constitute illegal and dangerous activities, such as blockades and occupations as seen in Ottawa, Ambassador Bridge and elsewhere. This will allow police to implement more fines and make more arrests. Trudeau say the Government will designate, secure and protect places and infrastructure that are critical to the economy like border crossings and airports.

"The Emergencies Act will also allow the Government to ensure essential services are rendered, for example, in order to tow vehicles blocking roads. In addition financial institutions will be authorized or directed to render essential services to help address the situation including the use of property to fund or support illegal blockades. Finally it will enable the RCMP to enforce municipal bylaws and Provincial offences where required."

This means banks will be able to suspend or freeze accounts of blockade supporters without a court order. Companies with trucks involved in the protests can also have their accounts suspended and frozen.

Trudeau also wanted to be clear on what the Emergency Act does not do.

"We are not using the Emergencies Act to call in the military, we are not suspending fundamental rights or overriding the charter of rights and freedoms. We are not limiting freedom of peaceful assembly, we are not preventing people from exercising their right to protest legally."

This is the first time in history the Emergencies Act has been enabled.

You can listen to the Prime Ministers announcement below: