Federal government plans to consult widely before any changes to Emergencies Act

The federal government is open to changing the Emergencies Act but says it first wants to consult widely on the law it invoked to quell "Freedom Convoy" protests two years ago. In its response to the public inquiry's findings, the Liberal government outlines steps it is taking to improve the flow of intelligence and protect key transportation corridors.

The federal government is open to possible changes to the Emergencies Act but says it first wants to consult widely on the law it invoked to quell "Freedom Convoy" protests two years ago.

In a final response Wednesday to a commission of inquiry, the Liberal government also outlines steps it is taking to improve the flow of intelligence and protect key transportation corridors.

However, the government plays down any need to adopt many of the commission's suggested changes to policing protocols.

The Public Order Emergency Commission led by Justice Paul Rouleau made 56 recommendations, with almost two dozen specifically related to the emergencies law itself.

In early February 2022, downtown Ottawa was besieged by protesters, many in large trucks that rolled into town beginning in late January. Initially billed as a demonstration against COVID-19 health restrictions, the gathering attracted people with various grievances against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his government.

Meanwhile, the protests spread, and trucks clogged key routes to the United States at Windsor, Ont., and Coutts.

On Feb. 14, 2022, the government invoked the Emergencies Act. That allowed for temporary measures, including regulation and prohibition of public assemblies, the designation of secure places, direction to banks to freeze assets and a ban on support for participants.