Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claims sweeping powers to crack down on truckers protesting his Covid-19 warrants
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has invoked the Emergencies Act for the very first time in Canadian history, citing the threat to safety, order and the economy allegedly posed by the truckers of the “Freedom Convoy and their supporters, protesting his Covid-19 restrictions.
What is the Emergencies Act?
Passed in 1988, the Emergencies Act (also known as the Emergencies Act) authorizes the federal government in Ottawa to temporarily claim extraordinary powers in response to an emergency that “seriously endangers the life, health or safety of Canadians and is of such magnitude or nature that it exceeds the ability or authority of any province to deal with it.
Has it ever been used?
The Emergencies Act had never been invoked before. The Canadian public broadcaster CBC called on Monday for his invocation “unprecedented.” Its previous version, the War Measures Act of 1914, had been used three times before – in response to World War I, World War II and the October Crisis of 1970, when French-speaking separatists in the province of Quebec kidnapped a member. The Prime Minister who invoked it at that time was Pierre Elliott Trudeau, the current Prime Minister’s father.
Is it martial law?
Technically, no. Trudeau himself stressed that there would be no troops on the streets. However, the emergency powers significantly increase the power of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to act against what the PM called “illegal” blockade and “trades” in specially designated places. It also grants the government financial intelligence agency FinTrac additional authority over banking, online fundraising and cryptocurrency transactions.
What measures will be taken?
According to Trudeau, the local police will have “more tools to restore order” in places where public gatherings have been declared “illegal and dangerous” – such as outside Parliament in Ottawa and at border crossings between the United States and Canada. The RCMP will also be able to enforce provincial and municipal laws as required.
Border crossings and airports have been designated “Critical areas” and will be kept away from protesters. The government is also empowered to requisition the services of towing companies to remove large machinery used by protesters.“review their relationships” with anyone involved in the protests and freeze their assets without a court order. FinTrac’s authority over cryptocurrency translations, crowdfunding platforms, and payment service providers has been expanded under anti-money laundering and terrorist financing laws.
How long will it last?
The emergency came into effect on Monday afternoon and is initially meant to be in effect for 30 days, although it can be extended. By law, parliament must approve the declaration of emergency within seven days; it would be revoked if either house voted against it.
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With Trudeau running a minority cabinet, Canadian media reported that his de facto partner, the NDP, would back the emergency declaration. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said his party would vote with the Trudeau Liberals and only blames the prime minister for not cracking down on truckers sooner.
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