On Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act in response to ongoing protests in Ottawa and the blockades at our border crossings. The Act, which will be applied in a time-limited, geographically targeted, reasonable, and proportional manner, provides the federal government with additional powers to support the efforts of local and provincial law enforcement in restoring law and order.

This unprecedented action is being taken to ensure the restoration of public safety and security, and to protect our economic integrity. This act gives limited and specific powers to the federal government to deal with security emergencies of five different types: national emergencies; public welfare emergencies; public order emergencies; international emergencies; and war emergencies. The Emergencies Act replaced the War Measures Act and is NOT the National Defence Act. The invocation of the Act means the federal government will have the jurisdiction to bring in the RCMP to assume the responsibility for upholding the rule of law to restore peace and order.

Military intervention has not been requested, as different law enforcement agencies are working together to restore public safety and order. Sensationalizing the extent of our response will only lead to more fear and division, a theme which has been at the center of our political discourse for the past 3 weeks.

Exceptional circumstances require exceptional responses. The invocation of this Act was done after it was made clear that additional support would be needed to restore order and peace within the City of Ottawa and at our critical border crossings. The Act is limited to a period of 30 days and with Parliamentary approval, following all proper legislative processes as required by the rule of law. This is not an abrogation of Charter rights, it is a tool to continue protecting the Charter rights of the many Canadians affected by economic blockades and the right for Ottawans to uphold their s.7 rights with the right to life, liberty, and security of the person.

We have heard protestors loud and clear, but now is the time to go home. Many people have endured sacrifice upon sacrifice over the past two years and we understand the frustration that exists as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect our health care systems, our ability to travel freely, and even being with friends and family. We will continue to engage with Canadians in the proper democratic forums with constructive, truthful discourse and continue adjusting measures with public health officials acting as our guides.