Federal government invokes Emergencies Act for first time ever in response to protests

Act grants cabinet ability to take 'special temporary measures that may not be appropriate in normal times'

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he has invoked the Emergencies Act for the first in time in Canada's history to give the federal government extra powers to handle ongoing blockades and protests against pandemic restrictions.

"It is now clear that there are serious challenges to law enforcement's ability to effectively enforce the law," Trudeau told a news conference Monday afternoon.

Trudeau said the measures will be geographically targeted and "reasonable and proportionate to the threats they are meant to address."

The unprecedented deployment of the Emergencies Act gives police more tools to restore order in places where public assemblies constitute illegal and dangerous activities, such as blockades and occupations, he said.

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The act also permits the federal government to direct financial institutions to render essential services to address the situation, and to prohibit the use of property to fund or support illegal blockades.

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https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-premiers-cabinet-1.6350734