Photo Courtesy: Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images
CANADA – For the first time in Canadian history, the federal government enacted the Emergencies Act in February 2022. The measure was taken to force an end to the Freedom Convoy protests that had taken over the streets of Canada’s capital. A new inquiry beginning today is looking into the use of emergency legislation to clear Ottawa.
The inquiry is set to be six weeks long and will be led by Ontario Court of Appeal Justice Paul Rouleau. It’s set to include testimony from federal government representatives about why they felt they had to invoke the Emergencies Act, as well as testimony from those who feel it went too far. This includes eight federal cabinet members, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as well as some high-profile members of the Freedom Convoy like Tamara Lich and Pat King.
Many people online are voicing their opinion on the Canadian government’s use of the Emergencies Act. Some feel it was unnecessary.
“I think it has long been a forgone conclusion that it wasn’t necessary. It was a Canadian embarrassment then and is a bigger one now. Internationally our government has lost all credibility and have been exposed as inept liars,” tweeted one person.
“Did he make an effort, first and foremost, as a real leader should, to stand face to face with them, and discuss the situation? No he did not, no effort. As a leader, he should be fired. He’s not worthy of the position he sits. #TrudeaMustGo and soon,” wrote another.
“The protests were peaceful and there was no legal basis to invoke such draconian legislation in this situation,” posted a third.
While others seem to feel that it was the right choice.
“The “Freedom Convoy” wasn’t free. It cost taxpaying Canadian citizens $44.8 million in extra policing costs, and the convoy’s border blockades cost our economy more than $3.84 billion, that’s billion… with a B. The Emergencies Act should have been implemented sooner,” posted popular Twitter account Meanwhile in Canada.
“LOL, If they didn’t use the Emergencies Act, these truckers would still be there today. Move on, this is over, quit wasting time on nonsense! Several federal cabinet members expected to testify at Freedom Convoy hearings,” posted one person.
“The mayor did nothing. The police did nothing. The premier did nothing. That left Justin Trudeau to do what had to be done to restore order in the capital region,” wrote another.
The News You Can Use team will continue to cover the inquiry as the weeks go on. Let us know in the comments, how do you feel?
