Written by The Democracy Fund
February 15, 2022
TORONTO, Ontario. February 15, 2022
The Democracy Fund (TDF) deplores Justin Trudeau’s unwarranted invocation of the Emergencies Act to end protests associated with the
Freedom Convoy.
The Emergencies Act may only be used in extraordinary circumstances such as a national emergency that seriously endangers the lives, health and safety of Canadians. It is not meant to be used to suppress peaceful protests or non-violent acts of civil disobedience.
Justin Trudeau’s government invoked the Act by declaring a public order emergency. This declaration empowers the government to make certain orders restricting the rights and freedoms of Canadians. Refusing to comply with these new restrictions can result in serious criminal charges.
The government’s new powers include prohibiting public assemblies that may reasonably be expected to lead to a breach of the peace. Other restrictions include prohibitions on travel to and within specified areas, prohibitions on the use of specified property, and forcing qualified persons to render essential services to the government.
TDF has been sending its lawyers to
Freedom Convoy protests to ensure that everyone understands their fundamental freedoms and their rights to due process under the
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. We will continue to support peaceful protestors associated with the
Freedom Convoy and persons who are arrested for non-violent acts of civil disobedience.
