Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the federal government of his country is activating the never-before-used Emergencies Act "to supplement provincial and territorial capacity to address the blockages and occupations" related to the ongoing Freedom Convoy, which continues to demonstrate in Ottawa and block major arteries along the U.S.-Canada border.
"This is about keeping Canadians safe, protecting peoples' jobs and restoring faith in our institutions," Trudeau said during a press conference.
Trudeau and Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada David Lametti said the powers are temporary and will be limited geographically and in scope, and that the Canadian military is not getting involved.
"For the purposes of this Act, a national emergency is an urgent and critical situation of a temporary nature" that cannot be handled under any other Canadian law, the law says.
Several Canadian premiers came out against Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau potentially invoking the never-before-used Emergencies Act to give the federal government special powers to crack down on COVID-19 restriction protests happening within his country.
"The illegal blockades must end, but police already have sufficient tools to enforce the law and clear the blockades, as they did over the weekend in Windsor," tweeted Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe.
"Therefore, Saskatchewan does not support the Trudeau government invoking the Emergencies Act. If the federal government does proceed with this measure, I would hope it would only be invoked in provinces that request it, as the legislation allows," he added.
Moe's sentiment was echoed by Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson, who wrote, "I am proud of Manitoba’s law enforcement officials & have full confidence in them to protect our communities. The proposal from the federal government to use the Emergencies Act is not helpful to the situation at the Emerson Border."
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney told reporters that he told Trudeau earlier on Monday that he would prefer if the Emergencies Act did not apply to Alberta, and that such a move was unnecessary in the province.
Quebec Premier Francois Legault also warned that he did not want the Emergencies Act to be applied to his province, warning that he thought such a measure would be divisive. "It's not time to throw fuel on the fire," he said.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) New Brunswick host Harry Forestell and guest, cybersecurity expert David Shipley suggested Friday that the truckers protesting vaccine mandates in Canada were being "directed and manipulated by foreign agents."
"Who would have reason right now to cause as much chaos in Canada as possible? Well, top of that list is Russia. We are actively engaged in a geopolitical battle about the future of the Ukraine," Shipley said.
Shipley said that the tactics and the creation of the large Facebook groups to "foster communication among hundreds of thousands of people" was the "Russian internet research agency playbook" in the clip flagged by media watchdog NewsBusters.
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{{#rendered}}Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has told members of his own party Monday that he will invoke the never-before-used Emergencies Act to give the federal government special powers to crack down on coronvirus restriction protests happening within his country, the CBC reports, citing sources.
The act describes a national emergency as a temporary "urgent and critical situation" that "seriously endangers the lives, health or safety of Canadians and is of such proportions or nature as to exceed the capacity or authority of a province to deal with it," according to the CBC.
It's not immediately clear what the new powers granted under the act would be, but sources told CTV News that the Canadian military is not going to be called in to deal with the demonstrations.
As of Monday, the Ambassador Bridge connecting Detroit to Windsor, Ontario has reopened, yet Canadian border authorities say a crossing between Coutts, Alberta and Sweet Grass, Montana is "temporarily closed".
Ontario Premier Doug Ford on Monday vowed “serious consequences” for protesters still gathering in Ottawa to demonstrate against coronavirus restrictions.
“The blockade at our border in Windsor has now come to an end. The Ambassador Bridge has reopened,” Ford said. “And while Ottawa remains a more complex situation involving municipal, provincial and federal law enforcement, all three levels of government are focused on ending the illegal occupation.”
“To those who are still there, to those of you who are there with a sole objective of causing disruption and chaos, there will be serious consequences for this lawless activity,” Ford added.
Ford separately announced that Ontario will be removing some coronavirus restrictions this week, such as capacity limits for restaurants and gyms, and proof of vaccination requirements on March 1.
WINDSOR, Ontario – Demonstrators at the Ambassador Bridge blockade in Windsor, Canada, slammed law enforcement and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after police cleared the protest Sunday morning.
"This is Canada, it's supposed to be a free country," one 83 year-old-man named Joachim Machnic told Fox News. "We have the right to protest" and "now we're even being denied the place to protest."
On Sunday morning, police pushed remaining protesters down the road and away from the bridge, making at least a dozen arrests and towing vehicles along the way.
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{{#rendered}}The Ambassador Bridge reopened late Sunday following nearly a week of protests over COVID-19 restrictions.
“The Ambassador Bridge is now fully open allowing the free flow of commerce between the Canada and US economies once again,” the bridge's owner, Detroit International Bridge Co., said in a statement, according to the Associated Press.
Police moved in on protesters Sunday and arrested at least 25 people, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported.
Windsor Police Chief Pamela Mizuno said 25 to 30 people were arrested and charged with mischief.
The bridge links Windsor, Ontario, and numerous Canadian automotive plants with Detroit.
Coverage for this event has ended.