The Federal Court of Appeal will rule on Friday on the legitimacy of the federal government’s use of the Emergency Measures Act in february 2022 to disperse the demonstrations adn blockades related to the truckers’ convoy.
This highly anticipated decision is scheduled for 11 a.m.
The Federal court of Appeal reviewed a decision by the Federal Court which found that the request of this law, never before used, by the federal government in 2022 was unreasonable and infringed on the rights of protesters guaranteed by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
In this 2024 decision, Judge Richard Mosley found that while the demonstrations reflected an unacceptable disruption of public order
, there was no national emergency justifying the invocation of the Emergency Measures Act
.
Le convoi des camionneurs a paralysé le center-ville d’Ottawa l’hiver 2022. (Photo d’archives)
Photo : Radio-Canada / Ivanoh Demers
Ce qui a commencé comme une manifestation contre l’obligation vaccinale et les directives gouvernementales pour lutter contre la pandémie de COVID-19 a attiré des milliers de personnes à Ottawa, dont beaucoup en camion. Pendant des semaines, les manifestants ont exprimé une série de griefs à l’encontre de l’ancien premier ministre Justin Trudeau et de son gouvernement.
Face aux klaxons, aux barrages de camions et aux campements de fortune, certaines entreprises d’Ottawa ont temporairement fermé leurs portes, tandis que de nombreux résidents se sont plaints de la pollution sonore et des fumées de diesel.
Les manifestants estimaient pour leur part qu’il s’agissait d’une manifestation largement pacifique.
Des camions et des manifestants ont également bloqué certains postes frontaliers, notamment la principale route commerciale vers les États-Unis via Windsor, en Ontario.
une situation d’urgence découlant de menaces à la sécurité du Canada qui sont si graves qu’elles constituent une urgence nationale.
La Loi s’en remet à la définition de ces menaces donnée par le Service canadien du renseignement de sécurité (SCRS), qui comprend les actes de violence graves contre des personnes ou des biens, l’espionnage, l’ingérence étrangère ou l’intention de renverser le gouvernement par la violence. Le gouvernement a fait valoir qu’elle englobe également les perturbations économiques.
David Vigneault, directeur du Service canadien du renseignement de sécurité (Photo d’archives)
Photo : La Presse canadienne / Justin Tang
Lors de l’enquête publique de 2022, le directeur du SCRS, David Vigneault, a indiqué qu’il était favorable à l’application de la Loi sur les mesures d’urgence, même s’il ne pensait pas que le convoi des camionneurs“`html
The Rouleau Commission Report and the Use of the Emergencies Act
Table of Contents
The Rouleau Commission, officially known as the Public Order Emergency Commission, released its final report on february 17, 2023, finding that the federal government was justified in invoking the Emergencies Act in February 2022 to end the “Freedom convoy” protests. The report detailed the events leading up to the invocation and assessed the government’s actions.
Background of the “freedom Convoy” protests
The “Freedom Convoy” began in late January 2022 as a protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandates for cross-border truckers. The protests quickly evolved into a broader demonstration against government policies and restrictions related to the pandemic, attracting support from various groups and individuals. Trucks and other vehicles blockaded streets in Ottawa, particularly around Parliament Hill, disrupting daily life and commerce.Similar, though smaller, protests occurred at border crossings, notably the Ambassador Bridge between Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan.
The protests presented significant challenges for law enforcement. Traditional policing methods proved insufficient to dislodge the protesters and reopen blocked roadways. the economic impact of the border blockades, particularly at the Ambassador Bridge, raised concerns about supply chain disruptions.
On February 14, 2022, Prime Minister justin trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act, marking only the second time in Canadian history the act had been used. The Emergencies Act grants the government temporary powers to address urgent and critical situations threatening national security.
Key Findings of the Rouleau commission Report
The Rouleau Commission, led by Justice Paul Rouleau, concluded that the government met the legal threshold for invoking the Emergencies Act. The final report states that the protests constituted a threat to Canada’s security, specifically a threat to the safety and security of Canadians. The commission found that the existing legal tools available to police were inadequate to address the situation effectively.
Specifically,the report highlighted the following key findings:
- Justification for Invocation: The commission resolute that there was a reasonable basis to believe that the protests posed a significant threat to national security.
- Proportionality of Measures: The commission found that the measures taken by the government under the Emergencies Act were proportionate to the threat. This included measures such as freezing bank accounts and prohibiting the use of certain public spaces.
- Effectiveness of Measures: The report indicated that the measures taken contributed to the eventual dispersal of the protests.
However, the report also included some criticisms. Justice Rouleau noted that while the invocation of the Act was justified,some of the measures taken could have been more narrowly tailored. CBC News summarized these criticisms, noting concerns about the breadth of the powers granted to financial institutions.
Specific Measures Taken Under the Emergencies act
The invocation of the Emergencies Act authorized the government to take several specific measures to address the protests. These included:
- freezing of Bank Accounts: The government directed financial institutions to freeze the accounts of individuals and entities suspected of supporting the protests. The RCMP detailed the implementation of this measure, stating that over 200 accounts were frozen.
- Prohibition of Public Assemblies: the government prohibited public assemblies in designated areas, including around Parliament Hill and at border crossings.
- Restrictions on Travel: Measures were taken to restrict travel to and from protest areas.
- Enhanced Powers for Law Enforcement: Police were granted enhanced powers to enforce the restrictions and clear protest sites.
These measures were temporary and were lifted once the protests subsided. The government faced legal challenges to the use of these powers, wiht some arguing that they violated the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Legal Challenges and Ongoing Debate
Several legal challenges were launched against the government’s use of the Emergencies
