ongoing convoy protests a “threat” to Canadian democracy in a letter justifying emergency powers to the country’s premiers.The letter, released by the federal government late Wednesday night, said fatigue and frustration with COVID-19 public health measures and vaccine mandates are “no longer the motivation of many of the (protest) participants and organizers.” Ottawa police issue new warning amid convoy blockade: ‘leave the area now’ “We are seeing activity that is a threat to our democracy and that is undermining the public’s trust in our institutions,” Trudeau wrote.“The Government of Canada believes firmly in the right to peaceful protest.
But as we discussed, the activities taking place across the country have gone well beyond peaceful protest.”Trudeau declared a public order emergency on Monday, giving federal authorities exceptional powers aimed at bringing the convoy protests to an end after almost three weeks of unrest.
It is the first time since the 1970 invocation of the War Measures Act – the predecessor to the modern Emergencies Act – that the federal government has granted itself emergency powers.The most visible and entrenched protest remains the encampment of heavy trucks, passenger vehicles and protesters in the nation’s capital.
Despite stern warning from Ottawa police Wednesday morning, many of those protesters remained defiant.But multiple other blockades, including at international border crossings – in B.C., Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario – have been inspired by the convoy protests in Ottawa.