Canada a step closer to enacting emergency powers to end Freedom Convoy protest

By: Thomas I. Likness
Eagle News Service

(Eagle News) — The Canadian government won’t hesitate to use the Emergencies Act to end trucker convoys that are paralyzing the country Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair told several news networks Sunday.

But Blair says first the government will exhaust all other measures.

“We are prepared to use every tool available to us, including emergency powers and to make sure that we bring every resource of the federal government to bear. This is a critical situation for the country,” Blair said told CTV news.

He also says police have to do their job and restore order.

Blair is a former Toronto police chief.

The last time emergency powers were used was in 1970 to quell terrorist attacks by Quebec separatists. Those powers were invoked by then-prime minister Pierre Trudeau, the father of the current prime minister, Justin Trudeau.

Justin Trudeau said on Friday everything was on the table to restore order but added using the military was a long way off.

Ottawa still under siege

For a third straight weekend, protesters have occupied the streets of downtown Ottawa.

“In downtown Ottawa, over 4,000 demonstrators were present throughout the day. Safety concerns – arising from aggressive, illegal behaviour by many demonstrators – limited police enforcement capabilities,” Ottawa police said in a news release.

As the protest continues in a party-like atmosphere, police helplessly stand by. Their ranks have been bolstered by the addition of officers from other police services.

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson has said the city has lost control of the situation.

Frustrated residents of Ottawa have been launching counter demonstrations telling the protesters to go home and the police to do their job.
(Eagle News Service)