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

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is revoking the use of the Emergencies Act, the powerful legislative tool that was deployed in response to 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."

The Governor Generalsigned off on the revocation on Wednesday afternoon, which formally ended 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

3 years ago

Duration 1:02

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

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

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

Trudeau hasdescribed 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 themend the convoy protest. The act made it possibleforofficers from outside of Ontario to participate inthe operation.

WATCH| Publicsafety minister discusses decision to end Emergencies Act on CBC's Power & Politics

Government revokes deployment of Emergencies Act

3 years ago

Duration 9:10

Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino joins Power & Politics to discuss what led to the decision to end the use of the Emergencies Act just over a week after it was invoked.

Trudeau said the decision to end the act's usewas made after consultingwith police services across Canada, which told the governmentthey canprevent further disruptions under normal laws.

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

Conservatives say decision proves'the PM was wrong'

The Conservatives and Bloc Qubcoisvoted against the use of the act in the House of Commons, arguing that it constitutedgovernment overreach. Other critics, including the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), have said the use of the act was unnecessary because theprotests were not a legitimatenational emergency.

"Today's announcement is proof that the prime minister was wrong when he invoked theEmergencies Act," said Conservative interim leader Candice Bergen in a media statement.

"Nothing has changed between Monday and today other than a flood of concerns from Canadian citizens, bad press, and international ridicule."

WATCH|Conservative public safety criticsays act should never have been used

Conservative MP: 'Prime minister was wrong to invoke this act'

3 years ago

Duration 2:10

Reacting to news that the government has ended its deployment of the Emergencies Act, Conservative MP Raquel Dancho says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was wrong to invoke the act in the first place.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says his government will proceed with a court challenge of the federal government's use ofthe Emergencies Act.

He calls the decision toendthe act's deploymenta "humiliation" for those who supported it.

The CCLA last week also announced a lawsuit against the government over its use of the act. The organization said it is now deciding if it will continue with itschallenge.

"Even though theorders are no longer in force, Canadians are left with the precedent that the government's actions haveset," the CCLA said in a statement.

The NDP, whichthrew its support behind the motion and ensured its adoption under the minority government, welcomed Trudeau's decision to revoke.

"We said from the beginning that it should be revoked as soon as it was no longer needed. We're glad to see that has been done," NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh saidin a statement.

WATCH| NDP MP says party was reluctantto support act

NDP MP Peter Julian says his party is happy with decision to end use of Emergencies Act

3 years ago

Duration 1:36

Julian says the NDP was reluctant to support the law's use from the beginning and that authorities should have acted earlier to deal with the convoy occupation of Ottawa.