Current:Home > FinanceJudge says Canada’s use of Emergencies Act to quell truckers’ protests over COVID was unreasonable -Ascend Wealth Education
Judge says Canada’s use of Emergencies Act to quell truckers’ protests over COVID was unreasonable
View
Date:2025-04-16 22:24:55
TORONTO (AP) — A Canadian judge has ruled that the government’s use of the Emergencies Act to quell weeks of protests by truckers and others angry over COVID-19 restrictions in 2022 was unreasonable and unconstitutional.
Up to thousands of protesters clogged the streets of the capital of Ottawa and besieged Parliament Hill, demonstrating against vaccine mandates for truckers and other precautions and condemning Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government.
The act allowed authorities to declare certain areas as no-go zones. It also allowed police to freeze truckers’ personal and corporate bank accounts and compel tow truck companies to haul away vehicles.
Members of the self-styled Freedom Convoy also blockaded U.S.-Canada border crossings in protest. Police arrested 11 people at the blockaded crossing at Coutts, Alberta, opposite Montana, after learning of a cache of guns and ammunition.
In the decision released Tuesday, Federal Court Justice Richard Mosley said the invocation of the Emergencies Act led to the infringement of constitutional rights.
“I conclude that there was no national emergency justifying the invocation of the Emergencies Act and the decision to do so was therefore unreasonable,” Mosley wrote.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said the government will appeal. Freeland said it was a hard decision to invoke the act but called the protests a serious threat to public safety, national security and Canada’s economic security.
“I don’t want to minimize the gravity of the actions we took. Neither do I want to minimize the gravity of the threats Canada faced,” Freeland said.
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association and several other groups and individuals argued in court that Ottawa ushered in the emergency measures without sound grounds.
The government contended the steps it took were targeted, proportional, time-limited and compliant with Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
A public commission led by another judge previously concluded most of the emergency measures were appropriate.
The protests were first aimed at a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for cross-border truckers. They eventually encompassed fury over COVID-19 restrictions and dislike of Trudeau, reflecting the spread of disinformation in Canada and simmering populist and right-wing anger.
The Freedom Convoy shook Canada’s reputation for civility, inspired convoys in France, New Zealand and the Netherlands and interrupted economic trade. For almost a week the busiest U.S.-Canada border crossing between Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit was blocked. It sees more than 25% of trade between the countries.
veryGood! (86)
Related
- Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
- Pesticide concerns prompt recall of nearly 900,000 Yogi Echinacea Immune Support tea bags
- Shop 70% Off Zappos, 70% Off Kate Spade, 70% Off Adidas, 20% Off Tatcha & Memorial Day Deals
- A Minnesota city will rewrite an anti-crime law seen as harming mentally ill residents
- Toyota to invest $922 million to build a new paint facility at its Kentucky complex
- Detroit could be without Black representation in Congress again with top candidate off the ballot
- Russia begins nuclear drills in an apparent warning to West over Ukraine
- Asian American, Pacific Islander Latinos in the US see exponential growth, new analysis says
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- Australia and New Zealand evacuate scores of their citizens from New Caledonia
Ranking
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- Abi Carter is the newest 'American Idol' winner: Look back at her best moments this season
- Soldiers' drawings — including depiction of possible hanging of Napoleon — found on 18th century castle door
- A Minnesota city will rewrite an anti-crime law seen as harming mentally ill residents
- Trump's 'stop
- He traced his stolen iPhone to the wrong home and set it on fire killing 5. Now, he faces prison.
- Ex-South African leader Zuma, now a ruling party critic, is disqualified from next week’s election
- Analysis: Iran’s nuclear policy of pressure and talks likely to go on even after president’s death
Recommendation
Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
Oscar-winning composer of ‘Finding Neverland’ music, Jan A.P. Kaczmarek, dies at age 71
Archaeologists search English crash site of World War II bomber for remains of lost American pilot
Most of passengers from battered Singapore Airlines jetliner arrive in Singapore from Bangkok
Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
Takeaways: How Lara Trump is reshaping the Republican Party
Nestle to launch food products that cater to Wegovy and Ozempic users
Mauricio Pochettino leaves Chelsea after one year as manager of the Premier League club