Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has invoked emergency powers to deal with truckers and other protesters blocking parts of Ottawa, the capital, for more than two weeks. The move may halt a sharp recent drop in Trudeau’s approval ratings, but he may not recover his former popularity, an analyst says. Justin Trudeau’s father, Pierre, invoked the War Measures Act to disperse Quebec separatist protesters in 1970. His son has invoked emergency powers but says he will not deploy the military to disperse them. There are widespread doubts that he will ever run for re-election.
The Washington Post
1. Opinion on farmers' protest in India.
2. Opinion on trucker protest in Canada.
National emergency in Canada over truckers’ protests is correct. Liberal fascism is good & sweet. pic.twitter.com/L1N4vXvSc2
— Anshul Saxena (@AskAnshul) February 16, 2022
The unprecedented use of the Emergencies Act gives police more tools to restore order in places where public assemblies constitute illegal and dangerous activities, such as blockades and occupations.
The government is also identifying and securing critical infrastructure, such as border crossings and airports. Invoking the act will also allow the government to ensure that essential services, such as towing to remove trucks, are provided, according to Trudeau.
The act also allows the federal government to direct financial institutions to provide essential services in response to the situation, as well as prohibit the use of the property to fund or support illegal blockades. Trudeau stated that the act will also allow the RCMP to enforce municipal and provincial ordinances.
Polls show that most Canadians support the truckers’ push for vaccine mandates and other restrictions. One pollster likens the protests to an Occupy Wall Street movement that won’t leave the House of Commons.
