Canadian gov't issues update on implementing Emergencies Act inquiry calls for change

Six months after the Emergencies Act inquiry's final report made dozens of recommendations for federal change, the government has presented a six-month progress report on steps taken so far, vowing a more comprehensive response will come in time for the one-year anniversary.

Six months after the Emergencies Act inquiry's final report made dozens of recommendations for federal change, the government has presented a six-month progress report on steps taken so far, vowing a more comprehensive response will come in time for the one-year anniversary.

In a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that was made public on Thursday, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc says work is underway, but he'll need six more months to more fulsomely address Public Order Emergency Commissioner Paul Rouleau's calls for change.

"The federal government is considering these recommendations carefully, particularly those that will improve collaboration between jurisdictions, support community safety, and help strengthen our capacity to respond to similar events of national significance in the future," reads the letter.

So far, the government says it has "made progress" on:

"Our priority remains to keep Canadians safe and protect our democracy, jobs, supply chains, and our economy," LeBlanc said in a brief statement. "I will continue to work closely with my colleagues on these issues and will present a comprehensive Government Response in February 2024."

When the Public Order Emergency Commission released its five-volume report on Feb. 17, concluding that ultimately the federal government met the threshold for invoking the Emergencies Act, Trudeau promised to present a plan to respond to the report's findings within six months.

The deadline for the government to keep this pledge, was mid-August.