Civil Liberties Groups Demand Feds Allow Robust Inquiry Into Use of Emergencies Act

Official inquiry should include an independent commission and wide-ranging evidence, groups say

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and members of his cabinet announce the Emergencies Act will be invoked to deal with convoy protests in Ottawa on Feb. 14, 2022. Hailey Sani/Public Domain

As the federal government calls a public inquiry into the use of the Emergency Act, a diverse coalition of civil society groups is watching closely to ensure the investigation is broad in scope and independent.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the Act for the first time since its creation on Feb. 14 in response to the Freedom Convoy protests, giving the federal government broad powers to deal with demonstrations against COVID-19 mandates in Ottawa and at some border crossings.