Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has revoked the use of the federal Emergencies Act, and Ontario Premier Doug Ford has terminated the state of emergency in the province.
Trudeau made the announcement at a media conference on Wednesday afternoon (February 23).
“Today, after careful consideration, we’re ready to confirm that the situation is no longer an emergency,” Trudeau said. “Therefore, the federal government will be ending the use of the Emergencies Act. We are confident that existing laws and by-laws are now sufficient to keep people safe.”
The federal government invoked the legislation last Monday — the first time it has been used since it was passed by Parliament in 1988 — in response to the blockades of border crossings and the occupation of Ottawa by protestors, which have now ended.
On Monday, the majority of MPs in the House of Commons voted to approve use of the act, with the Conservatives and Bloc Quebecois voting against it. The Senate was in the process of debating the act on Wednesday before Trudeau made his announcement.
The Emergencies Act provided temporary powers including prohibiting blockades or providing supplies for blockades, directing tow companies to remove vehicles, directing financial institutions to freeze personal and corporate accounts, and allowing the RCMP to enforce municipal and provincial laws.
Trudeau said an inquiry into the federal government’s decision to invoke the act, and subsequent police actions under the act, will begin within 60 days.
Following Trudeau’s announcement, the office of Premier Doug Ford issued a statement that, “in alignment with the federal government,” Ontario would terminate its declaration of a state of emergency as of 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
“The emergency tools provided to law enforcement will be maintained at this time as police continue to address ongoing activity on the ground,” the statement reads. “We remain grateful to all frontline officers and first responders that contributed to peacefully resolving the situation in Ottawa, Windsor and in other parts of the province.”
