Chrystia Freeland (CPAC)
Debate over the use of the Emergencies Act is ramping up as protests continue to consume downtown Ottawa.
Kenora MP Eric Melilo issued the following statement in his weekly update:
Last week, the Prime Minister invoked the Emergencies Act for the first time in Canadian history, in response to trucker protests in Ottawa.
The Emergencies Act gives the government far-reaching powers, including the ability to freeze the bank accounts of Canadians thought to be involved in or supportive of the protests.
This is an unprecedented overreach that is the result of the Prime Minister’s failure in leadership. While I agree that the illegal blockades must end, governments and police have the resources to act without compromising the rights of Canadians.
Justin Trudeau made no attempt to de-escalate the situation. He went from weeks of no action, to the most extreme action.
On Thursday, I spoke in the House to call on Parliament to reverse this decision. The Conservative Party will always stand up for the rights of Canadians.
Debate over the use of the Emergencies Act will continue throughout the weekend and Melillo is expected to involved.
Meantime, the federal government is defending the move.
The deputy prime minister said Canada’s economy and democracy are facing a serious and foreign-funded threat.
Chrystia Freeland said there are consequences for those who take part in these illegal activities.
“If your truck is being used in these protests, your bank account will be frozen and your insurance will be suspended,” she noted during a virtual news conference on Friday afternoon.
Freeland added the illegal blockades and occupations cannot be allowed to usurp the authority of democratically-elected governments.
She conceded that when this crisis is over, all Canadians are going to need to work hard to heal our country.
Justice minister David Lametti said this is an emergency and all you need to do is ask Canadians in Ottawa or in Windsor and others being impacted by border closures.
“As we saw in Coutts, Alberta and other places across the country, some of those involved are alleged to have had much more sinister motives than simply opposing vaccine mandates.”
In places where blockades have been cleared, Lametti noted there have already been attempts to re-establish them.
Police began making arrests and towing away vehicles in Ottawa on Friday in an attempt to stop the lengthy demonstration of protestors opposed to vaccine mandates.
Several organizers of the original truckers convoy including Tamara Lich, Chris Barber and Pat King have been taken into custody.
(With Files From Alan Dearing)
