MPs to resume debate on Emergencies Act after police make gains against protesters

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The House of Commons will resume itsdebate ofthe government's controversial decision to invoke the Emergencies Act on Saturday.

Liberal House Leader Mark Holland confirmed the reopening of Parliament late Friday evening after a day of furious police action against the convoy protest.

The House of Commons and Senate were shut down Friday in anticipation of thedisruptive encounter between police and protesters, which resulted in more than 100 arrests and hours of tense standoffs outside the Parliament buildings.

Ottawa police said on Friday thatthe federal government's decision to invoke the Emergencies Act helped expedite its action against the convoy protest.

Interim Ottawa police Chief Steve Bell said the act and the provincial state of emergency provided police with the resources they needed to push back and end the demonstration.

"The three levels of government that have come together to support our efforts in this have led us to be able to have the success we're starting to see right now," he said.

"Without the authorities provided to us through these pieces of legislation, we wouldn't be able to be doing the work we are today."

More than 100 arrested

In a dramatic show of force, aline of police officers some armed with weapons, face shields and gas masks moved steadily alongRideau Street throughout Friday, pushing protesterswest andmaking arrests along the way.

By early Friday evening, police had taken more than 100people into custody and had towed 21 vehicles. However, dozens ofprotesters were still refusing to clear the area after sunset.

PHOTOS | Scenes from police operation to end Ottawa protest:

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freelandearlier in the daydefended her government's decision to invoke the emergency powers now being used to clear downtown Ottawa, saying Canada's economy and democracy are being threatened.

"Aliberal democracy must be prepared to defend itself," she told a news conferenceFriday as police continued to take into custodyprotesters demanding the elimination of all pandemic measures who have gridlocked the capital city for nearly three weeks.

The federal government triggered the Emergencies Act earlier this weekfor the first time in the legislation's history. It brought innew measures prohibiting public assemblies that disrupt the movement of people, goods and trade,or that support the "threat or use of acts of serious violence against persons or property."

Sen. Vernon White, who served as Ottawa police chief from 2007 to 2012, also said the act madeFriday's police action more successful.

"I support it. I felt we were at a point of no return," he told CBC's Power & Politics.

WATCH| Former Ottawa police chief on Friday's action against protesters:

Former Ottawa police chief backs Ottawa's use of Emergencies Act

3 years ago

Duration 8:20

Ontario Sen. Vernon White, a former Ottawa police chief, says he supports the government's use of the Emergencies Act to address the protest in Ottawa and border blockades.

Others have continued to criticize the use of the act, including Conservative interim leader Candice Bergen.

She blamed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for the state of affairsas police were facing off against protesters.

"This situation was created by the PM & his desire to divide Canadians," Bergen said on Twitter.

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) plans to sue the federal government over its decision to invoke the Emergencies Act, arguing that it violates Charter rights. Amnesty International has also raised concernsthat the act could violatehuman rights.

Government says protests a threat to Canada

The government published its reasonsfor triggering the Emergencies Act late Wednesday, calling the situation across the country "concerning, volatile and unpredictable."

"The protesters have varying ideological grievances, with demands ranging from an end to all public health restrictions to the overthrow of the elected government," the government statement reads.

"Ideologically motivated violent extremism adherents may feel empowered by the level of disorder resulting from the protests."

The statement also said borderblockades threatenCanada's economic security.

"The impact on important trade corridors and the risk to the reputation of Canada as a stable, predictable and reliable location for investment may be jeopardized if disruptions continue," it reads.

WATCH |'It's painful for me that this is happening in Canada,' says Freeland:

Freeland: 'It's painful for me that this is happening in Canada'

3 years ago

Duration 1:36

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland says the protests now being cleared from Ottawa's streets are attempting to undermine Canada's democracy and economy.

For six days last week, protesters blocked access to the Ambassador Bridgewhich connects Windsor and Detroit. The vital trade link was reopened to traffic on Sunday after police moved in.

On Friday,an Ontario judge granted an extension to the injunction that prohibits anyone from blocking access to the Ambassador Bridge. The previous order was set to expire Monday.

Debate delayed

Debate in the House of Commons on the government's decision to invokethe Emergencies Act was temporarilysuspended as the police operation overtookthe parliamentary precinct's doorstep.

House leaders previously reached adeal todebate the use of theEmergencies Act on Fridayand throughout the weekend, from 7 a.m. ET tomidnight, with a vote planned for Monday. The vote will still take place Monday evening, despite the cancellation of Friday's sitting.

The extraordinary powers provided bythe legislation havebeen ineffect since Monday, but the Emergencies Act stipulatesthat the federal government also must go beforeParliament to seek approval from MPs and senators.

WATCH | A timeline of the convoy protest that has paralyzed downtown Ottawa:

From convoy to encampment to arrests | Protest timeline

3 years ago

Duration 3:10

Protesters have shut down border crossings and paralyzed downtown Ottawa over the past three weeks. Here's how they got there and how it might end.

A notesent to senators on Friday morning askedthem to stay away from the downtown core.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said hisparty plans tosupportthe Emergencies Act declaration which would carry it through the minority Parliament but is ready to pull its support if the measures are no longer necessary or if the government takes on additionalpowers.

Key organizers arrested

On Thursday,police arrested Chris Barber and Tamara Lich, key organizers of the protest convoy that began as ademonstration againstvaccine mandates and other pandemic restrictions.

Barber has been released on bail and ordered to leave Ottawa within 24 hours. Lich is scheduled to appear in court Friday at 9:30 a.m. ET.

According to police, Barber ischarged withcounselling to commit the offence of mischief,counselling to commit the offence of disobeying a court order and counselling to commit the offence of obstructing police.

Lichhas been charged with counselling to commit the offence of mischief, police said.

CBC News has confirmed another of the convoy leaders, Pat King, was among those arrested Friday.

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