‘Economic Harm’ No Ground for National Emergency, Says Civil Liberties Group After Freeland’s Testimony

Police officers stand guard on a street as truckers and supporters block access to the Ambassador Bridge, which connects Detroit and Windsor, in protest against COVID-19 mandates and restrictions, in Windsor, Ont., on Feb. 12, 2022. Carlos Osorio/Reuters

A civil liberties advocacy group says that “economic harm” is not grounds to declare a national emergency, in reaction to Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland’s testimony at the Emergencies Act inquiry on Nov. 24.

“The Emergencies Act and the CSIS act do not contemplate economic harm as a national emergency,” said Cara Zwibel of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) in a statement.