Category: Emergencies Act Inquiry

Ambassador Bridge Blockade Escalated Economic Threat From ‘Freedom Convoy’: Deputy PM

OTTAWA — Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says the economic threat to Canada escalated “exponentially” when “Freedom “Convoy” protesters blocked a key trade hub between the United States and Canada in early February. Freeland, who is also the deputy prime minister, is testifying today at a public inquiry investigating the Liberal government’s use of the Emergencies…


Deputy PM Chrystia Freeland to Testify on ‘Freedom Convoy’ at Emergencies Act Inquiry

Ottawa — Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland is next on the witness list at the public inquiry probing the federal government’s decision to invoke the Emergencies Act in response to weeks-long protests last winter. Freeland, who is also the federal finance minister, was the lead on emergency economic powers given to banks and other financial institutions…


Justice Minister Said Emergencies Act Revoked to ‘Stay Ahead of NDP and Senators’: Text Messages

Justice Minister David Lametti told a fellow Liberal MP on Feb. 23 that the government revoked the Emergencies Act because the NDP and senators were not supportive as there was no longer any emergency, according to text messages entered as evidence at the Public Order Emergency Commission on Nov. 23. “I am glad we ended…


Emergencies Act: Who Decides What Constitutes a Serious National Security Threat, Intelligence Professionals or Bureaucrats?

Commentary It ain’t easy working for CSIS. The organization’s mandate is a tough one: monitor and investigate threats to the security of our nation based on “reasonable grounds to suspect,” all while not running roughshod over Canadians’ fundamental rights (freedom of speech, of assembly, and lawful dissent).  Not to mention public damnation when it is…


Top Ministers Joked About Sending Tanks Against Freedom Convoy Protesters

Two ministers with key portfolios in the Trudeau government joked about sending tanks against the Freedom Convoy a few days after the trucker-led protest had settled in Ottawa, according to text messages. “How many tanks are you asking for,” wrote Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino to Justice Minister David Lametti on Feb. 2. “I Just…


Mendicino Tells Inquiry About Denied Engagement Proposal With Convoy Protesters

Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino yesterday outlined details of the federal government’s engagement proposal with the Freedom Convoy protesters, which was ultimately denied by ministers two days before cabinet invoked the Emergencies Act. “Engagement was always an option and I had articulated on a number of occasions that law enforcement should be the last resort,” Mendicino…


Mendicino Tells Inquiry About Proposal to Engage With Convoy Protesters

Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino yesterday outlined details of the federal government’s engagement proposal with the Freedom Convoy protesters, which was ultimately denied by ministers two days before cabinet invoked the Emergencies Act. “Engagement was always an option and I had articulated on a number of occasions that law enforcement should be the last resort,” Mendicino…


Emergencies Act Inquiry Commissioner Denies Convoy Lawyers’ Several Requests, Including on Nazi Flag Controversy

The commissioner of the Emergencies Act inquiry issued a ruling on Nov. 23 dismissing several requests made by the lawyers representing Freedom Convoy organizers, including related to the allegation that the individual carrying a Nazi flag at last winter’s protest was working for a public relations firm. “Freedom Corp. has raised serious allegations regarding Enterprise…


Kenney Upset With Feds Over Coutts Blockade, Texts Show

Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney accused the federal government of leaving provinces “holding the bag” to clear “Freedom Convoy” protesters who blockaded a border crossing in southern Alberta, a public inquiry has learned. Documents released Tuesday by the inquiry looking into the government’s decision to invoke the Emergencies Act last winter include text messages between…


Mendicino Says Can’t Recall When He Saw Lucki’s Advice That Not All Tools Were Exhausted Before Declaration of Emergency

Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino told the Emergencies Act inquiry on Nov. 22 he couldn’t recall when he became aware of RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki’s advice that not all tools had been exhausted to clear the cross-country protests and blockades. Lucki wrote an email to Mendicino’s chief of staff Mike Jones before the Liberal cabinet…