Justin Trudeau ends emergency act

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Trudeau ends use of Emergencies Act, says 'situation is no longer an emergency'

Prime minister says an inquiry into the deployment of the law will begin in 60 days

February 23, 2022

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is revoking the use of the Emergencies Act, the powerful legislative tool that was used to quash the protests and blockades that erupted in Ottawa and at border crossings over recent weeks.

"The situation is no longer an emergency," Trudeau told a news conference.

"We are confident that existing laws and bylaws are now sufficient to keep people safe."

Trudeau said the Governor General will officially sign off on the revocation in the coming hours, ending the state of emergency.

MPs in the House of Commons voted to affirm use of the act on Monday. The Senate was in the midst of debating the act on Wednesday but withdrew the motion shortly after Trudeau made his announcement.

WATCH | Trudeau announces end of Emergencies Act

Trudeau ends government's use of Emergencies Act  (1:02)

The government's decision to invoke the act on Monday, Feb. 14 became a source of considerable controversy and criticism. The act had never been used since it was passed by Parliament in 1988.

The introduction of the act gave authorities sweeping temporary powers, including the ability to freeze the bank accounts and credit cards of protesters. Attending any event deemed an unlawful assembly, such as the Ottawa convoy protest, also became illegal.

Trudeau has described his decision to use the act as a last resort.

"As the weeks went by, it became obvious that provincial and local authorities needed more tools in order to enforce the law and protect Canadians. And that's exactly what the Emergencies Act provided," he said.

"It was the responsible and necessary thing to do."

Ottawa police said the act helped them end the convoy protest. The act made it possible for police to establish security checkpoints around the downtown protest zone and for officers from outside of Ontario to participate in the operation.

Trudeau said the decision to end the act's use was made after consulting with police services across Canada, which told the government they can prevent further disruptions under normal laws.

An inquiry into the government's decision to invoke the act and subsequent police actions will begin within 60 days, Trudeau confirmed. He said Parliamentarians will establish a committee to oversee that review next week.

The Conservatives and Bloc Québécois voted against the use of the act in the House of Commons, arguing that it constituted government overreach. Other critics, including the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, have said the use of the act was unnecessary because the protests were not a legitimate national emergency.

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