Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday called for an investigation into the use of the Emergency Situations Act.
In a press release, Trudeau said an independent public inquiry, called the Public Order Emergency Commission, would be set up to investigate the circumstances that led to the declaration.
Trudeau cited the act for the first time in Canadian history during the Freedom Convoy, giving the federal government temporary powers to deal with blockades and protests against pandemic restrictions.
“This includes the development of the convoy, the impact of funding and disinformation, the economic impact and efforts of the police and others responding before and after the declaration,” the statement said.
Paul Roulot has been appointed commissioner to lead the investigation. He was first appointed a judge by the Ontario Supreme Court in 2002, and then joined the Ontario Court of Appeals in 2005.
Rollo, who has also served in the territories during his career as a judicial representative, will be tasked with presenting the final report in the two official languages of the two houses of parliament before 20 February 2023.
“In the coming days and weeks, I will work to set up a public order emergency commission and offer more information on the functioning of the commission in the near future,” Roulo said in a statement. “I am committed to ensuring that the process is as open and transparent as possible, taking into account the short reporting deadlines imposed by the Emergency Situations Act.”
Trudeau said in a statement that Roulo would investigate the circumstances that led to the implementation of the Emergency Situations Act, “and make recommendations to prevent a recurrence of these events.”
Trudeau cites “serious challenges” when referring to the Emergency Situations Act
The emergency law was repealed on February 23rd after police successfully cleared the streets of Ottawa and put an end to ongoing protests. By law, the investigation into the use of the act must be called within 60 days of the revocation of the declaration.
Trudeau cited “serious challenges to the ability of law enforcement agencies to enforce the law effectively” when announcing its use.
“It’s about keeping Canadians safe, protecting people’s jobs and restoring trust in our institutions,” he said at the time.
The unprecedented use of the Emergency Situations Act, according to Trudeau, has given police tools to restore order in places where public gatherings are considered illegal and dangerous activities, such as blockades.
Deputy Prime Minister Christia Freeland said at the time that Canadian financial institutions could temporarily suspend the provision of financial services in cases where there is a suspicion that an account is being used for further illegal blockades and occupations.
When it was first announced, the prime ministers of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec expressed concern over the reference to the act.
Joint Commission for Review of the Emergency Situations Act
In March, a special joint committee of seven lawmakers and four senators began reviewing the implementation of the Emergency Situations Act.
This commission will meet again on Tuesday. He has not yet published any findings.
The Emergency Law sets out the conditions under which the cabinet can make the inquiry announced Monday. It said that an investigation should be carried out into “the circumstances that led to the issuance of the declaration and the measures taken to deal with the emergency”.
Inquiries usually include witnesses testifying, reviewing archives and using experts to assist parliamentarians.
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