Trudeau invokes emergency law to stop protests in Canada

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday invoked emergency powers to end protests against COVID-19 health measures that police fear will turn violent.

“The federal government has invoked the Emergencies Act to supplement provincial and territorial capacity to deal with blockades and occupations,” Trudeau announced at a news conference, adding that no military would be deployed at this stage.

These measures will be limited in time and geographicallye,” he specified. In his consideration, they should not be taken “lightly” and he remarked that “illegal blockades have wronged Canadians and must end.”

Several of the 13 provincial and territorial governments were reluctant to use that law to defuse protests, but Trudeau explained that it will be applied “only where necessary.”

Through this Emergencies Law, the government can order the suspension of the financial accounts of entities suspected of encouraging road blockades or illegal occupations.

Banks and other financial service providers will be able to immediately freeze or suspend an account without the need for a court order.

“If your truck is used (in a blockade), your account will be frozen and your insurance suspended,” Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland had explained.