By Andrew Thomson | UPDATED 3:48pmET
In the House: MPs to vote on Emergencies Act motion
After three marathon days of sometimes tense debate, the House of Commons will vote on the federal government’s emergency declaration, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggesting it is a matter of confidence.
Speaking at a news conference in Ottawa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy PM Chrystia Freeland respond to a question re: reports that individuals who donated small amounts to the convoy have had their bank accounts frozen.#cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/bGf4Z0qZ6O
— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) February 21, 2022
“What we’ve seen in these past weeks is not the story of this pandemic. The story of this pandemic is one of unity and solidarity,” asserts Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaking at a news conference in Ottawa about the recent protests and blockades.#cdnpoli https://t.co/PZBf5ofgni
— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) February 21, 2022
Watch the full news conference:
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh repeated today that his party will "reluctantly" support the government's use of the Emergencies Act when MPs vote in the House of Commons.
Speaking with reporters, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh confirms his party will “support reluctantly” the government’s motion on the emergency declaration under the Emergencies Act. But the NDP is prepared to withdraw support once the measure is no longer necessary, he says.#cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/yIKudKYxrb
— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) February 21, 2022
Watch the full news conference:
Watch: Bloc Québécois Yves-François Blanchet
Monday is the final scheduled day of debate on the motion to confirm the government's use of the Emergencies Act, after the House of Commons sat through the weekend and police made some 200 arrests in downtown Ottawa.
The vote is expected at approx. 8pm ET / 5pm PT.
Watch Monday's question period:
Police began to move in force against the "Freedom Convoy" occupying the area surrounding Parliament Hill on Friday, leading to a pre-emptive cancellation of that day's House and Senate sittings.
Debate began Thursday with a speech from Trudeau, who again defended the decision to use the Emergencies Act for the first time in its 34-year history -- the first emergency measures since the 1970 October Crisis and the previous War Measures Act.
Trudeau described the declaration of a public order emergency as a proportional, measured, and responsible response to the blockades and occupation of Ottawa.
MPs are considering this motion:
That, pursuant to section 58 of the Emergencies Act, this House confirm the declaration of a public order emergency proclaimed on February 14, 2022.
The Emergencies Act requires the government to table such a motion before both houses of Parliament within seven sitting days of the declaration.
Emergencies Act: Read the official declaration
The Conservatives and Bloc Québécois signalled they will oppose the motion, though NDP support would give the Liberal minority government enough votes to secure its passage.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said his party would withdraw that support if federal powers are being misused, telling the House that Canada reached this point through a failure of political and police leadership.
"We are not proud of supporting these measures," Singh said in response to a question.
The declaration is automatically voided if either the House of Commons or Senate votes down the motion. Otherwise, the declaration automatically expires after 30 days unless continued or revoked.
Twenty MPs or 10 senators can also trigger a motion to revoke the emergency declaration. Voting would take place after no more than 10 hours of debate.
The Emergencies Act also requires a special parliamentary committee of MPs and senators to take an oath of secrecy, provide oversight, and eventually produce a report to Parliament.
And, the Act requires the government to provide Parliament with information its consultation with the provinces and territories.
Read the government's consultation report and the letter sent to premiers on the Emergencies Act:
Cabinet's formal order-in-council justified the emergency declaration because of:
(i) the continuing blockades by both persons and motor vehicles that is occurring at various locations throughout Canada and the continuing threats to oppose measures to remove the blockades, including by force, which blockades are being carried on in conjunction with activities that are directed toward or in support of the threat or use of acts of serious violence against persons or property, including critical infrastructure, for the purpose of achieving a political or ideological objective within Canada,
(ii) the adverse effects on the Canadian economy — recovering from the impact of the pandemic known as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) — and threats to its economic security resulting from the impacts of blockades of critical infrastructure, including trade corridors and international border crossings,
(iii) the adverse effects resulting from the impacts of the blockades on Canada’s relationship with its trading partners, including the United States, that are detrimental to the interests of Canada,
(iv) the breakdown in the distribution chain and availability of essential goods, services and resources caused by the existing blockades and the risk that this breakdown will continue as blockades continue and increase in number, and
(v) the potential for an increase in the level of unrest and violence that would further threaten the safety and security of Canadians.
The provisions include:
- Broadening the scope of money laundering and terrorist funding rules to target crowdfunding platforms and payment providers, which must register with FINTRAC and report large and suspicious transactions;
- Authorizing Canadian financial institutions to cease, without a court order, service to accounts suspected of furthering illegal blockades and occupations;
- Allowing for the suspension of bank accounts and vehicle insurance of companies with trucks taking part in blockades;
- Allowing the RCMP to enforce provincial law and municipal by-laws as needed
In Committee
Official Languages Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor goes before the Senate official languages committee at 5pm ET / 2pm PT.
Today in Politics Podcast: Mark Sutcliffe and Peter Van Dusen
The government says the need for emergency measures continues, even after protesters have been removed from downtown Ottawa. Ahead of an expected vote today, the Conservatives stand firm on their position on using the Emergencies Act. And Jason Kenney says Alberta will challenge the use of the Act in court.
Here's your morning update with Mark Sutcliffe:
