Canadian Civil Liberties Association slams Trudeau for invoking the Emergencies Act

Mark Slapinski

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) slammed the Canadian Prime Minister on Monday for invoking the Emergencies Act, stating that his government has not met the necessary threshold. The Trudeau government declared a “public order emergency” on Monday, giving the government power to seize bank accounts without a court order.

The CCLA issued a statement on Twitter Monday condemning Justin Trudeau’s decision to invoke the Emergencies Act, formerly known as the War Measures Act. Under the new powers tow truck drivers can be forced to move vehicles, protesters can be arrested, and banks can freeze accounts without a court order. People found to be in violation of the Emergencies Act face up to five years in jail. The CCLA stated Monday that “emergency legislation should not be normalized” and that it threatens Canadian democracy and civil liberties. The New York Times weighed in, claiming that the move suspended civil liberties. However, due to pressure from Liberal journalists in Canada, it removed the tweet and issued a “correction.”

Justin Trudeau reiterated he does not plan to use the military on peaceful protesters. Previously the Chief of Ottawa Police suggested the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) may be needed to clear the protest in Ottawa, however the military rebuffed that suggestion.

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