The unprecedented application of the emergency law will give Canadian police more tools to restore order.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will use emergency law for the first time in the country's history to quell protests against quarantine restrictions and mandatory vaccination against COVID-19.
He stated this on Monday, February 14, reports CBC.
It is noted that the corresponding decision will provide the Cabinet of Canada with the opportunity to take “special temporary measures that may not be appropriate at normal times.”
“At present, it is clear that there are serious problems with the ability of law enforcement agencies to effectively enforce the law,” the Canadian prime minister concluded.
In his opinion, temporary powers will allow the federal government to resolve the situation with blockades and protests.
“This is no longer a legitimate protest against disagreements over government policy. This is now an illegal occupation. It's time for people to go home,” Trudeau said, adding that geographically targeted measures would be “reasonable and proportionate to the threats they are designed to address.”
According to the head of the Canadian government, the unprecedented application of the emergency law will give the police more tools to restore order in places where a public meeting has degenerated into illegal and dangerous activities, such as blockades and occupations.
“It's about keeping Canadians safe, protecting people's jobs, and restoring trust in our institutions,” he said. Trudeau said the implementation of the law would also allow the government to provide basic services, such as truck towing.
In addition, banks will be able to freeze the personal accounts of anyone associated with the protests without a court order.
Recall that protests broke out in Canada at the end of January against quarantine restrictions and mandatory vaccination against COVID-19, when several hundred trucks occupied the center of Ottawa.
The so-called “Freedom Convoy” began as a truckers' rally for the abolition of the coronavirus vaccination mandate for cross-border workers, but later turned into a mass demonstration against quarantine restrictions.
On February 6, a state of emergency was declared in the Canadian capital of Ottawa, and local residents were forbidden to supply food and fuel to protesters.
On February 8, protesters blocked the Ambassador Bridge connecting the cities of Detroit (USA) and Windsor (Canada), completely blocking entry into the country.
