HUMBOLDT — Humboldt’s local MP says that imposing the powers of the Emergencies Act sets a dangerous precedent for Canadian democracy.
Kelly Block was one of the 151 MPs that voted on Feb. 21 against confirming the Prime Minister’s activation of the Emergencies Act. 185 MPs voted in favour.
“Like many of you, as soon as I heard of the Government’s decision to invoke the Act, I believed it was unnecessary and a complete overreach. Legal experts, civil liberties and many other organizations are sounding the alarm stating that emergency legislation threatens our democracy and our charter rights and should not be normalized,” said the Carlton Trail — Eagle Creek MP in a statement.
“The Government of Canada should not have the power to close the bank accounts of hardworking Canadians simply on the suspicion of supporting causes of which the government doesn’t approve. This is a slippery slope, and not how the government should operate in a free and democratic society.”
Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister, said in a Feb. 21 news conference the use of the Emergencies Act was necessary.
“We didn’t want to use the Emergencies Act. It’s never something to turn to without serious consideration but after weeks of dangerous and unlawful activities, after weeks of people being harassed in their neighbourhoods and small businesses forced to close, after billions of dollars were stalled in trade putting people’s jobs and livelihoods at risk, after the national war memorial was desecrated, after evidence of increased ideologically motivated violent extremism activity across the country, after a flood of misinformation and disinformation washed over Canada including from foreign sources, after these illegal blockades and occupations received disturbing amounts of foreign funding to destabilize Canada’s democracy, it became clear that local and provincial authorities needed more tools to restore order and keep people safe.”
The Liberals, New Democrats and one of the Green Party MPs voted in favour of the confirmation. The Conservatives, Bloc Québécois and the other Green MP voted against.
The Senate has yet to vote on its confirmation of the activation of the Emergencies Act.
The declaration will expire in 30 days after its activation if it is not extended by the House of Commons or the Senate.
The House of Commons or the Senate can vote to, at any time, revoke the Emergencies Act declaration and any orders or regulations made under the Act.
“I will continue to fight this power grab by the Prime Minister and his government,” Block said. “Immediately following the vote, Conservatives gave notice of a motion (signed by twenty Members of Parliament) to revoke the Prime Minister’s emergency.”
