The same prime minister that passed a censorship law and froze protesters’ bank accounts is calling out authoritarianism.
In Feb. 2022 Justin Trudeau used the Emergencies Act to disperse a peaceful protest that shut down the area around Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
In Apr. 2023, Trudeau’s government passed a law that allows the government more control over what Canadians see online.
Now that same prime minister is decrying the rise of “authoritarianism” in other parts of the world.
During a speech to the Council on Foreign Relations, Justin Trudeau stated:
“War has returned to Europe and authoritarianism is on the rise. Antagonistic states around the world are using our economic interdependence for their own geopolitical advantage.”
While it may be true that war has returned to Europe and that Canada is economically dependent on authoritarian countries such as China, Trudeau failed to mention his own authoritarian streak at home.
Using the Emergencies Act, Trudeau’s government went as far as freezing bank accounts linked to journalists that were covering the Freedom Convoy.
Toronto 99 previously reported on how independent journalist Andy Lee claimed she had her bank accounts frozen while she was covering the protest.
The newly passed Bill C-11 has been decried as a “censorship law” by Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre. He promises to repeal the law if elected prime minister.
While Trudeau may not meet the textbook definition of an “authoritarian,” many have argued he is moving Canadians in that direction.
