SaltWire E-Edition

Trudeau’s use of Emergencies Act a blow to democracy

On Oct. 16, 1970, Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau implemented the War Measures Act to deal with a group of people who (by that time) had committed dozens of armed robberies – had planted over 200 bombs – had killed six people.

On Feb. 14, 2022, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau implemented the Emergencies Act to deal with a group of people who (by that time) had not committed any robberies – had not planted any bombs – had not killed anyone.

In fact, they were so nonviolent that when a group of armed men showed up at the Alberta/u.s. border, the rest of the protesters packed up and left for home. They were so nonviolent that during their lengthy stay in Ottawa, not a single police officer was injured.

At the same time, demonstrations were happening in such places as England, France and Germany. In each case, the demonstrations became so violent that police officers were injured and rushed to hospital for treatment.

What is heartbreaking for those of us who believe in a vibrant democracy where different views are embraced rather than dismissed as inappropriate is that most Canadians – even after a year of reflection – still support Trudeau’s actions.

They have not changed their minds even though an inquiry made it clear that neither CSIS nor any of the police forces dealing with the demonstrators believed the Emergencies Act was necessary to deal with the protesters – that the actions of the protesters did not and would not justify implementing the Emergencies Act.

No matter. Trudeau was determined to use the Act and Canadians blindly followed. Llew Hounsell Corner Brook

OPINION

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2023-02-07T08:00:00.0000000Z

2023-02-07T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://saltwire.pressreader.com/article/281711208804314

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