Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has invoked the Country’s Emergencies Act to deal with the trucker convoy protests.
“The Federal government has invoked the Emergencies Act to supplement provincial and territorial capacity to address the blockades and occupations,” he said during a news conference this afternoon.
The move will be time-limited, geographically targeted, and proportionate to the threats they are intended to address.
The police will be given more tools to restore order under the Act – Canada can regulate or prohibit public assembly which could breach the peace and regulate travel in specified areas as well as prohibit the use of specified property.
Police will be able to tow vehicles that are blocking roads. The RCMP will be allowed to enforce provincial bylaws.
Trudeau says the military is not being called in and today’s announcement doesn’t limit people’s freedom of speech, right to protest, and legal assembly.
Breaking the Act’s orders can lead to fines of up to $5,000 and/or 5 years of imprisonment.
I’m giving an update on the work we’re doing to end the ongoing illegal blockades and occupations across the country – and the support we’re providing to Ukraine in the face of continued Russian aggression. Watch live: https://t.co/uLZF8ewAQ2
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 14, 2022