On Wednesday, the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, proclaimed that he is removing emergency powers that law enforcement utilized to end the border blockades. The blockades had emerged in response to ongoing pandemic restrictions and other violations of civil liberties.
Last week, Trudeau invoked the powers, which were promptly affirmed by legislators a few days later. The Canadian prime minister proclaimed that the powers were still necessary, but they would not remain in place a day longer than needed.
“The situation is no longer an emergency, therefore the federal government will be ending the use of the emergencies act,” Trudeau proclaimed, though his proclamation emerges in light of heavy criticism he has received across both sides of the Atlantic.
“We are confident that existing laws and by-laws are sufficient to keep people safe,” the Canadian prime minister added
Trudeau invoked the powers last week and lawmakers affirmed the powers late Monday. Trudeau said then the powers were still needed but noted they would not stay in place a day longer than necessary.
“The situation is no longer an emergency, therefore the federal government will be ending the use of the emergencies act,” Trudeau said. “We are confident that existing laws and by-laws are sufficient to keep people safe.”
Under the provisions of the emergency powers act, Trudeau is able to declare certain areas are “no-go zones,” and he is also able to freeze the personal and business accounts of the participating truckers. Moreover, he can also compel tow truck entities to remove vehicles participating in the blockade, or for virtually any other reason under the act.
Shortly after Trudeau invoked this act, which was the first time to occur in Canada’s history, police in Canada set about breaking apart peaceful protestors, which has been recorded as the largest law enforcement operation in Canadian history.
