Dear Neighbour,
This week, our government declared a Public Order Emergency under the Emergencies Act. It is an extraordinary measure but given the ongoing situation at our borders and in our capital, I believe that this step was necessary. I say this with a heavy heart but the convoy is not a peaceful protest.
This week four people at one border blockade were discovered to have a substantial number of weapons and have been charged with plotting to murder RCMP officers. There have been links to far right extremists, which has been confirmed by our Minister of Public Safety and also described in many news reports. With the closing of many of our border crossings and keeping the City of Ottawa in a state of occupation, there have been significant economic impacts on workers, our supply chains and our trade relationships.
I wanted to provide you with some information about the Order and the next steps. Please do reach out if you have any questions or concerns. It is important that I hear from constituents about this decision.
|
What Does the Government Plan to do under the Act?
Under this Declaration the military is not being called in to respond to the Convoy blockades.
There are financial measures that are being taken to stop the financing of the illegal blockades. Deputy Prime Minister Freeland stated, “This is about following the money. This is about stopping the financing of these illegal blockades.” The financial measures include:
- freezing the corporate accounts for companies whose trucks are being used in the blockades,
- suspending insurance on these trucks,
- broadening anti-money laundering financing rules so they cover crowdfunding platforms, and require them to register large and suspicious transactions to FINTRAC in the same way as banks and financial institutions must,
- authorizing financial institutions to temporarily stop providing financial services to personal and corporate accounts supporting the illegal blockade
There are also policing and enforcement measures:
- designate essential services such as tow truck vehicles to clear the illegal blockades,
- enable the RCMP to enforce municipal by-laws and provincial offences,
- strengthening the tools for police to restore order where there are illegal and dangerous blockades
|
Why invoke the Emergencies Act?
The illegal blockades have caused serious harm to our economy, our democratic institutions and our international standing. We have had our borders closed by illegal blockades in Ontario on the Ambassador Bridge; in Coutts, Alberta; Surrey, B.C.; and Emerson, Manitoba. Even after the Ambassador Bridge was re-opened, there have been attempts to close it once again.
People have been put out of work by these blockades, and our future trade relationships on which so many Canadian jobs rely are threatened by these actions. Equally troublesome is the recent discovery of firearms at the blockade in Coutts Alberta, with four people being charged for plotting murder on RCMP officers and having ties to far right extremists.
|
What are the Limits and Reviews?
The powers under the declaration are not unlimited. The Act is subject to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which means that even under a Public Order Emergency, our fundamental rights protected by the Charter remain untouched.
The powers under this declaration are also time limited to 30 days and will need to be confirmed by Parliament after a full debate. There will also be opportunity for a review of the actions taken under this declaration by a committee made up of members of all recognized parties in the parliament and senate.
You can follow the debate, when it happens, here.
I will keep you updated as the situation changes and hope for a peaceful resolution soon.
Julie
|
|
|
