Trudeau revokes Emergencies Act against ‘Freedom Convoy’: ‘The situation is no longer an emergency’

4 yıl önce

TORONTO â Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday revoked the use of emergency powers that he invoked to quell weeks-long blockades in the Canadian capital that spread to several U.S.-Canada border crossings and inspired copycats abroad.

Get the full experience.Choose your plan

âToday, after careful consideration, weâre ready to confirm that the situation is no longer an emergency,â he said at a news conference in Ottawa. âTherefore, the federal government will be ending the use of the Emergencies Act. We are confident that existing laws and bylaws are now sufficient to keep people safe.â

What is the Emergencies Act, which Trudeau invoked against Canadaâs trucker protests?

Trudeau last week became the first leader to invoke the 1988 Emergencies Act and the House of Commons voted on Monday to endorse the use of the law. But its unprecedented use also drew criticism from civil liberties groups, some opposition lawmakers and several provincial premiers.

The Emergencies Act allowed police to designate no-go zones where people participating in prohibited public assemblies or bringing minors to them could face arrest. One such area was Parliament Hill in Ottawa and the surrounding precinct.

Police regain control of most of Canadaâs capital, say protesters will continue to be identified and charged as holdouts persist

The Act also gave the government the authority to compel tow-truck companies to haul away vehicles blockading roads. Many tow-truck operators wore face coverings and concealed the logos on their trucks out of fear they might face retribution from demonstrators.