The federal government will continue to implement never-before-used powers under the Emergencies Act as long “as they are required” to help end the illegal blockade of the national capital, Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair has said.
The time-limited and targeted measures were invoked by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday, giving federal authorities exceptional powers aimed at bringing the convoy protests — that have now entered the fourth week — to an end. Read more: Ottawa police arrest 191 as push to clear convoy blockade enters 3rd day In an interview withThe West Block’s Mercedes Stephenson on Sunday, Blair gave no timeline or criteria on when those measures could be lifted, saying that a “threat still exists.“ “We understand the magnitude and significance of the measures that we’ve brought in place.
They are only going to be in place as long as they are required,” he said. Police operation continued Sunday to clear the area near Parliament Hill, where the so-called Freedom Convoy has been encamped, protesting against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other public health measures.
Since Friday, 191 people have been arrested and among those 103 have been charged mainly for mischief and obstruction, according to Ottawa police.