What Trudeau can and can’t do with emergency powers

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked emergency powers to quell protests over coronavirus restrictions that have brought gridlock to Canada’s capital and blocked key trade corridors, citing the need to restore public order. It’s the first time a federal government has resorted to such powers in five decades.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked emergency powers to quell protests over coronavirus restrictions that have brought gridlock to Canada’s capital and blocked key trade corridors, citing the need to restore public order. It’s the first time a federal government has resorted to such powers in five decades.

1. What powers does the act give Trudeau?

The Emergencies Act invoked by the prime minister provides the federal government with broad powers to prohibit public assembly, mobilize police, order private companies to provide essential services and mandate financial institutions to freeze accounts. In this instance, Trudeau is using all of these powers against the trucker-led protests. He’s banned public assemblies that can “reasonably be expected to lead to a breach of the peace” around parliamentary buildings and other government buildings, critical infrastructure, war memorials and “any other place as designated by the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.” He’s also mandating banks and other financial institutions to freeze accounts of individuals participating in the protest, while choking off funding to the organizers.

2. What does it mean to be able to commandeer services?

One problem authorities have had to deal with is a reluctance by towing companies to assist with the removal of vehicles and semi-trailers that have been used in the blockades. The tow truck companies are worried about damage to their equipment or retribution from protesters. These orders will compel them under threat of fines or jail time to assist the police. The federal government is similarly “commandeering” banks and insurers by forcing them to stop providing services to protesters.

3. What is the government doing about funds raised for the protests?