Canadian Government’s Use of Emergencies Act to Shut Down Freedom Convoy Ruled Unlawful by Federal Court

The Canadian Federal Court has ruled that the Government’s use of the Emergencies Act to shut down the Freedom Convoy protests in Ottawa two years ago was “not justified” and thus unlawful.

The protests brought central Ottawa to a standstill for three weeks in early 2022 in opposition to COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

“I have concluded that the decision to issue the Proclamation does not bear the hallmarks of reasonableness – justification, transparency and intelligibility – and was not justified in relation to the relevant factual and legal constraints that were required to be taken into consideration,” stated Federal Court Justice Richard Mosley.

Mosley added that “there can be only one reasonable interpretation” of the Emergencies Act and CSIS Act, and that he believes “the legal constraints on the discretion of the GIC to declare a public order emergency were not satisfied”.

It was the first time the extreme legislation had been triggered since it was enacted in 1988 and it empowered banks to freeze the personal accounts of protesters without the permission of a court. The Government also extended “terrorist financing” rules to cover the protestors at the same time. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was heavily criticised as the time for such an unprecedented and heavy-handed response.

The Emergencies Act stipulates that it may only be used in an “urgent and critical situation” that “seriously endangers the lives, health or safety of Canadians”. Lawful protests do not qualify.

Speaking at the time, Canada’s Justice Minister David Lametti said the Government believed these conditions had been met, saying the crisis was national in scope and exceeded the power of existing laws to respond.

Today the Federal Court disagreed.

Read the full ruling here. The Government has indicated it will appeal the decision.

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Free Lemming
2 years ago

No sh*t. Ok, so Trudeau and his comrades committed an act that was unlawful. So when do we see this filth in the dock? I’m guessing about the same time that we’ll see the war criminal Blair facing justice.

FerdIII
2 years ago

Surprisingly a correct decision. Without the Truckers Canadaistan might still be locked down by the Medical Nazi cult. The entire Rona fascism was illegal. But none of the perpetrators will suffer.

Valerie_London
Valerie_London
2 years ago

Fantastic news. Obviously it’s uncertain what will happen from here, but it’s good to know that some justice can eventually seep through.

Marcus Aurelius knew
2 years ago

Staple a facemask to Turdeau’s face for the rest of his natural.

Is this “hate speech”? Probably. So what?

Is this “inciting violence”? Dunno, what others do (or say) is none of my business. They, like I, are in charge of their own destinies.

Boomer Bloke
2 years ago

I would rather see him hanging from a lamppost with his little legs kicking uselessly and genuinely in blackface, but that’s just me.

huxleypiggles
2 years ago

The Emergencies Act stipulates that it may only be used in an “urgent and critical situation” that “seriously endangers the lives, health or safety of Canadians”. Lawful protests do not qualify.”

And that’s it in a nutshell. There was never any way that this phenomenally peaceful protest could “endanger the lives, health or safety of Canadians.” The truth is that the only people whose health or safety was at risk was that of the truckers themselves at the hands and boots of the Canadian police, bloody thugs that they were.

I commend Justice Mosley for upholding the law because I don’t doubt Turdeau’s little helpers will have been doing their best to intimidate this judge.

Brilliant. Well done Sir.

Marcus Aurelius knew
2 years ago
Reply to  huxleypiggles

The Mounties staged a massive protest at one point.

huxleypiggles
2 years ago

I didn’t see that MAk but I saw lots of police thuggery. The police horse trampling a 70 year old woman was particularly unpleasant.

Ron Smith
Ron Smith
2 years ago
Reply to  huxleypiggles

 The truth is that the only people whose health or safety was at risk was”…..Also the Canadian public being mandated a dangerous product.

huxleypiggles
2 years ago

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/who-executive-board-22-27-january-2024

And here the downright lying UK government confirming they have signed us up to the Pandemic Preparedness Treaty and naturally the revised International Health Regulations.

Sovereignty be damned.

That’s 630 in the H of C and about 800 in the H of L that will be receiving their P45’s soonish.

thechap
thechap
2 years ago
Reply to  huxleypiggles

Wishful thinking, I’m afraid. The majority of the population will still vote for the ‘same old same old’, and will continue to do so.

I intend to ignore every rule and law which I consider to be bollocks. I don’t care what the consequences are – I have my principles and I’m sticking to them. As far as I’m concerned, everyone else can go and f♡ck themselves. I’ve had enough of bollocks. I’m too old – I’m done.

huxleypiggles
2 years ago
Reply to  thechap

I’m with you.

Freddy Boy
2 years ago
Reply to  huxleypiggles

Incredible how they keep sneaking along ! Traitors everyone of them 🤬

Ron Smith
Ron Smith
2 years ago
Reply to  huxleypiggles

Out and out treason!

EppingBlogger
2 years ago

Unlawful behaviour should carry legal consequences.

Jon Garvey
2 years ago
Reply to  EppingBlogger

I imagine the consequences will be to invoke the so far unused “Government Isn’t Liable For Any Crime” Statute, passed quietly in 19–, and soon to be employed when mRNA vaccines are found to be deadly and the Pharma corporations are immune because of their contracts with the non-liable government. Hooray for the rule of law!

RTSC
RTSC
2 years ago

Only 2 years too late.

Trudeau should be forcibly retired.

RTSC
RTSC
2 years ago

Only if they want to trigger a real rebellion.

Dinger64
2 years ago

At no point did the judge rule it illegal!
He ‘rebuked’ it, called it ‘unjustified ‘ and not ‘justified’ and an ‘infringement ‘ and ‘unreasonable ‘
Not much there for the case to throw Trudeau in jail for treason is there?
He’s probably big buddy’s with him!