A judge says it was unreasonable for the Liberal government to use the Emergencies Act to quell "Freedom Convoy" protests in the national capital and at key border points two years ago.
LIVE: Ministers expected to comment on Federal Court ruling on use of Emergencies Act
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In a decision released today, Federal Court Justice Richard Mosley says invocation of the act led to the infringement of constitutional rights.
BREAKING: Judge rules Trudeau broke the highest law in the land with the Emergencies Act.
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He caused the crisis by dividing people. Then he violated Charter rights to illegally suppress citizens. As PM, I will unite our country for freedom.
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The Canadian Civil Liberties Association and several other groups and individuals had argued in court that Ottawa ushered in the emergency measures without sound statutory grounds.
We were successful on behalf of the CCLA. The Federal Court found that the decision to declare the Emergencies Act was ultra vires and unreasonable and that the measures violated the Charter. pic.twitter.com/eLCdqHc5lx
— Ewa Krajewska 🇺🇦 (@ewa_krajewska) January 23, 2024
The government contended the steps taken to deal with the pan-Canadian turmoil were targeted, proportional, time-limited and compliant with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The Public Order Emergency Commission, which carries out a mandatory review after invocation of the Emergencies Act, found the government met the very high legal standard for using the law.
Mosley says he revisited the events with the benefit of hindsight and a more extensive record of the facts and the law than the government had when it invoked the act.
