Trudeau Feared an ‘Armed Insurrection,’ Said Freedom Convoy Wouldn’t Be Resolved by ‘Talking’

Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, Justice Minister and Attorney General of Canada David Lametti and President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair stand behind Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as he announces that the Emergencies Act will be invoked to deal with the Freedom Convoy protests, in Ottawa on Feb. 14, 2022. Hailey Sani/Public Domain

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said early during the trucker-led Freedom Convoy protest in Ottawa that talking would not resolve it and he feared an “armed insurrection,” according to handwritten notes from his deputy chief of staff.

“PM: No. No to changing government policy. Their goal is to disrupt and undermine govt institutions,” read the notes of Brian Clow entered as evidence at the Emergencies Act inquiry on Nov. 10.