The Liberal government was pressed Thursday morning for evidence linking "ideologically motivated violent extremism" to the ongoing protest in Ottawa — one of the reasons it cited for triggering the Emergencies Act.
On Monday, the federal government invoked the legislation for the first time since its passage in 1988. The move gives the government new powers to address anti-vaccine mandate protesters tying the city of Ottawa in knots — including the authority to ban travel to protest zones and prohibit people from bringing minors to unlawful assemblies.
The government published its reasons for triggering the act late Wednesday, calling the situation across the country "concerning, volatile and unpredictable."
"The protesters have varying ideological grievances, with demands ranging from an end to all public health restrictions to the overthrow of the elected government," reads the government statement.
"Ideologically motivated violent extremism adherents may feel empowered by the level of disorder resulting from the protests."
Earlier that day, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said several individuals involved in the blockade at the border crossing in Coutts, Alta. have "strong ties to a far-right extreme organization with leaders who are in Ottawa."
Police in that province have charged four border protesters with conspiring to murder RCMP officers.
Mendicino would not name the group to which he was referring.
On Thursday, Conservative MP Dane Lloyd, the party's emergency preparedness critic, said the government has failed to provide evidence backing up its assertions.
"Parliamentarians deserve real evidence, not conjecture, from this minister before we can ever contemplate suspending the rights of Canadians," he said
The government's argument for invoking the law pointed out that some of the anti-vaccine mandate protest supporters were once employed in law enforcement and the military.
"Tactics adopted by protesters in support of these aims include slow-roll activity, slowing down traffic and creating traffic jams, in particular near ports of entry, as well as reports of protesters bringing children to protest sites to limit the level and types of law enforcement intervention," the government wrote.
It also said the blockades threaten Canada's economic security.
"The impact on important trade corridors and the risk to the reputation of Canada as a stable, predictable and reliable location for investment may be jeopardized if disruptions continue."
Trudeau defends decision as debate rages on in the House
The Liberal government formally tabled its declaration of an emergency in the House of Commons on Wednesday night.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau kicked off the debate Thursday morning by defending his controversial decision.
"For the good of all Canadians, the illegal blockades and occupations have to stop and the borders have to remain open," he said.
WATCH | Trudeau defends use of Emergencies Act in House debate:
"The blockades and occupations are illegal. They're a threat to our economy and [our] relationship with trading partners. They're a threat to supply chains and the availability of essential goods, like food and medicine. And they're a threat to public safety."
The measures in the Emergencies Act have been in effect since cabinet invoked it on Monday. Now, MPs get to debate the measures and could vote in favour of amendments that limit their power and scope.
Interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen called the decision to invoke the act "extremely disappointing" and said again that her party will vote against it.
She argued the prime minister took no preliminary action before resorting to an extreme measure.
"We want to lower the temperature across the country. The prime minister clearly wants to raise it," Bergen said
She urged NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh to join her party and the Bloc Québécois in voting the declaration down.
WATCH | Interim Conservative Leader Candice Bergen says her party will vote against Emergencies Act
"History will not be kind to the leader of the NDP or his members on this particular question," she said.
Singh suggested he supports the declaration, which would help secure its passage through a minority government.
"Many people are rightfully concerned that using the Emergencies Act now will mean a crackdown on protests in the future," Singh told the Commons Thursday.
"This is not a protest. It is not peaceful.
"The organizers of this illegal occupation have been clear from the beginning. They came here to overthrow a democratically elected government. It is funded by foreign influence. It is fed on disinformation. Its goal is to disrupt our democracy."
While blockades at border crossings in Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia have been largely cleared, parts of Ottawa remain clogged. Protesters — many in semi-trucks and RVs — have been camped in the capital for 21 days now, with protest crowds swelling into the thousands on weekends.
An increased police presence was visible Thursday morning in the red zone around Parliament Hill and fences were being set up in front of government buildings.
Fine, jail time for bringing children to protest zone
The new measures prohibit public assemblies that seriously disrupt the movement of people, goods and trade, or that support the "threat or use of acts of serious violence against persons or property."
It defines the protected areas where protesters cannot go as Parliament Hill and the parliamentary precinct, hospitals, airports, trade corridors, bridges and the area around infrastructure for water, gas, sanitation and telecommunication utilities.
The temporary measures also include:
- Prohibiting bringing children under the age of 18 to participate in an unlawful assembly.
- A ban on foreign nationals entering Canada to participate in or facilitate an illegal assembly.
- Authorization for the RCMP to enforce municipal and provincial laws.
- Authorization for banks and insurance companies to freeze participants' accounts and cancel their vehicle insurance.
Those in violation could face a fine of up to $500 on summary conviction, or imprisonment for six months. An indictment comes with a $5,000 fine or up to five years in jail.
Weekend debate?
It's not clear yet when MPs will vote on the declaration.
The Emergencies Act stipulates that a debate on the act must take place "without interruption."
The House of Commons is currently scheduled to have a week-long break, starting Monday, Feb. 21.
WATCH | Singh calls on Trudeau to take responsibility for protests
Justice Minister David Lametti said all options are being negotiated among House leaders in Parliament.
"There are a number of different ideas being floated," he told CBC's Power & Politics.
"I'm going to let the House leaders determine whether or not we debate late and through the weekend, or come back next week, or whether it begins now and gets completed later."
Liberals pressed for more evidence to justify invoking controversial Emergencies Act - CBC News
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