Justin Trudeau, PM claims broad powers to clamp down on truckers who protest his Covid-19 mandates
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has invoked the Emergencies Act for the very first time in Canadian history, citing the threat to the safety, order and the economy allegedly posed by “Freedom Convoy” truckers and their sympathizers, protesting his Covid-19 restrictions.
What’s the Emergencies Act?
The 1988 adoption of the Emergencies Act, also known as Loi sur les mesures d’urgence, allows the federal government to temporarily take extraordinary powers to respond to an emergency. “seriously endangers the lives, health or safety of Canadians and is of such proportions or nature as to exceed the capacity or authority of a province to deal with it.”
Is it new?
It had not been used before. Canadian broadcaster CBC invoked it Monday “unprecedented.” Its previous version, the War Measures Act of 1914, had been used three times previously – in response to the First World War, the Second World War, and the October Crisis of 1970, when French-speaking separatists in the province of Quebec abducted a member of parliament. The PM who invoked it at that point was Pierre Elliott Trudeau, the current PM’s father.
Do you think this is martial law
Technically, no. Trudeau said that there would be no soldiers on the streets. The emergency powers greatly increase the ability of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to respond against the Prime Minister’s call. “illegal” Blockades “occupations” In specific locations. It also grants the government’s financial intelligence agency FinTrac additional authority over banking, online fundraising, and cryptocurrency transactions.
Care to take?
Trudeau stated that local police would have “more tools to restore order” In places that have been designated for public assembly “illegal and dangerous” – such as outside the parliament in Ottawa and at US-Canada border crossings. If necessary, the RCMP may also enforce local and provincial laws.
Designated airports and border crossings are available “critical areas” Protesters will be prevented from accessing the vehicle. Also, the government has the power to order the removal of large-rigged protestors’ vehicles by towing companies.“review their relationships” Anyone involved in protests can be contacted and assets frozen without the need for a court order. FinTrac’s authority over cryptocurrency translations, crowdfunding platforms and payment service providers has been expanded under laws against money-laundering and terrorist financing.
What will be the duration of this?
On Monday, the emergency was declared and will remain in force for 30 days. However, it is possible to extend its duration. The law requires that the parliament approves the emergency declaration within seven days. If either of the houses votes against, it will be cancelled.
READ MORE
Canadian media report that Trudeau is running a minority government, but his NDP de facto partner will be supporting the emergency declaration. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh said his party would vote with Trudeau’s Liberals, and that he only blames the PM for not cracking down on the truckers sooner.
This story can be shared on social media
Follow RT
[ad_2]
