Emergencies Act – How Did We Get Here
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has invoked the Emergencies Act for the first time in Canadian history. It is the successor to the War Measures Act and can be used for a wide range of purposes including to mobilize the military and suspend Charter rights.
The Prime Minister’s application of the Act is targeted at cutting off the financial resources being funneled to protesters blocking critical border infrastructure needed for commuters and commerce. I am concerned that the Prime Minister has invoked the Act when there are many other laws already in force that could have been used instead. It sets a worrisome precedent. However, I am equally concerned that several of our elected politicians appear to continue supporting these protesters when their illegal border blockades are costing everyday Canadians millions of dollars and their Ottawa protesters are in contempt of court through their continued harassment of residents.
Pierre Poilievre, a Conservative MP from Ottawa and contestant for Conservative Party leadership, continues to align himself with this fringe minority in the press. Here at home, our Moose Jaw MP Fraser Tolmie has stood in support of these protesters and posed for photos with them. While I was displeased with this at the outset, I recognized these people likely form part of Mr. Tolmie’s voting base and an appearance was in Mr. Tolmie’s electoral interest.
However, things have changed. Tens of millions of dollars have been wasted, Canadians have been badgered, weapons have been seized, and children have been used as pawns. The moderate protesters have gone home now that several provinces have announced end dates for masking and vaccine requirements. With these remaining protesters' shameful and criminal acts rampant across all border blockades, every Premier in the country, including Jason Kenny and Scott Moe, has denounced the protesters and has mobilized law enforcement officers. It is time for all our political representatives to stand united and declare with a clear voice that these protesters must end their illegal blockades and protest peacefully, or they need to go home.
I call on our MP, Fraser Tolmie, to denounce these extremists and support our law enforcement officers in protecting our citizens, re-opening our borders, and ending the chaos. If Mr. Tolmie is prepared to double-down in support of these extremists in the hopes of quelling the PPC’s support in his riding, I am sure the NDP will welcome reasonable and open-minded conservative voters to slide a little bit left instead of getting dragged far-right.
Talon Regent, BBA, J
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
