Desperate and unwilling to speak directly to the truckers, Justin Trudeau is now vowing to freeze the personal and business bank accounts of those involved in the Freedom Convoy. Trudeau is drunk with power and passed the emergency order despite the premiers of Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta stating it is an unnecessary move. Only Ontario’s Doug Ford supports the extreme measure. Quebec Premier Francois Legault believes the emergency order will “throw oil on the fire.”
This is the first time that a Canadian prime minister invoked the 1988 Emergencies Act, which is intended for an “urgent and critical situation” that “seriously endangers the lives, health or safety of Canadians.” Deeming a peaceful protest an act of terrorism is an act of free speech oppression. Trudeau believes he deserves praise for refraining from deploying troops to end the protest through violence. “We are not suspending fundamental rights or overriding the Charter of Rights and Freedom. We’re not limiting people’s freedom of speech. We are not limiting freedom of peaceful assembly. We are not preventing people from exercising their right to protest legally,” Trudeau said while speaking at Parliament Hill on Monday.
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney told reporters, “We would prefer that the emergency act not be invoked. But if it is, we would very much prefer that it not be applied to Alberta. It’s not needed. It could make the situation even more complicated.” Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe stated that the police already have the tools required to remove illegal blockades, therefore, “Saskatchewan does not support the Trudeau government invoking the Emergencies Act.” NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh supports Trudeau’s decision but said it points to a larger problem with the Trudeau Administration. “The fact that the Prime Minister is resorting to this measure is proof of a failure of leadership. The reason why we got to this point is because the Prime Minister let the siege of Ottawa go on for weeks and weeks without actually doing anything about it,” Singh told the press. “He allowed the convoy to shutdown borders without responding appropriately and in doing so, has allowed the convoy to dig in and get entrenched.”
Chrystia Freeland, the deputy prime minister and finance minister, said that credit card companies will be required to report any activity that could be intended to help the protestors to Canada’s anti-money laundering agency. All vehicles involved will have their insurance suspended. Fundraising sites are not allowed to raise money to support the cause. Anyone can be accused of conspiring with the protestors and their funds will be frozen.
Hundreds of protestors remain in Ottawa. Tamara Lich, who began one of the first fundraisers for the convoy, said that the protestors will not leave until all COVID mandates are repealed. “There are no threats that will frighten us. We will hold the line,” Lich boldly stated.
