Government calls inquiry into use of Emergencies Act
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OTTAWA — The federal authorities has formally referred to as an unbiased public inquiry into its use of the Emergencies Act through the blockades at Canadian border crossings and in Ottawa earlier this 12 months.
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Thousands and thousands of {dollars} in commerce was halted for days at a number of border crossings and the streets of downtown Ottawa had been flooded with demonstrators as a part of a nationwide convoy of big-rigs and vehicles protesting COVID-19 restrictions.
The Liberal authorities invoked the Emergencies Act for the primary time in historical past on Feb. 15, granting extraordinary non permanent powers to police to clear folks out and to banks to freeze the accounts of these concerned.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government has established the Public Order Emergency Fee to have a look at the circumstances that led to the Emergencies Act being invoked.
The Prime Minister’s Workplace says that features the evolution of the convoy, the impression of funding and disinformation, the financial impression, and efforts of police and different responders earlier than and after the declaration.
Ontario Enchantment Courtroom Justice Paul S. Rouleau has been named commissioner of the inquiry and should present a remaining report in English and French to the federal authorities by Feb. 20 subsequent 12 months.
