At the request of the Secretary of Public Order and Doctrine, the Liberal Party government has agreed to publish the Cabinet document used to justify the enforcement of the Emergency Act.
Paul Rouleaux, chairman of the Public Order and Mortality Emergency Committee, has relinquished the privilege of the Free Government to abandon the trust of the Cabinet, that is, to protect the disclosure of discussions among federal ministers, and to use the relevant documents used in the summoning decision. Requested to provide to the committee. action.
“This exceptional step recognizes the fundamental importance of the Commission’s work and how important these documents are in investigating why the government has declared a public order and morals emergency.” Said Shantona Chaudhry and Jeffrey Leon, co-advisers of the Commission, on June 28. statement.
“On behalf of Commissioner Rouleaux, Cabinet documents must be published to facilitate investigation and evaluation by the Commission on the basis of the Government’s decision to declare an emergency and carry out the Commission’s mission. I took a position. “
According to the statement, the Federal Investigation Commission has gained access to the trust of the Cabinet for the fourth time since the Union.
On February 14, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared a state of emergency, enacted an emergency law, and gave police additional authority to eliminate Freedom Convoy protesters from downtown Ottawa. A convoy of trucks arrived in the capital in late January, protesting the federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate and other related public health restrictions.
After the bill was put into effect, police with batons and anti-riot guns stopped the rest of the demonstrations in Ottawa and arrested protesters. The law also empowered authorities to have towing companies remove trucks and vehicles parked in the heart of downtown Ottawa.
Financial institutions were also instructed to freeze the bank accounts of individuals and businesses suspected of donating to Convoy without the normally required court order.
The government has now promised to provide the Commission with the information that the Cabinet had when it decided to declare an emergency of public order and morals. The Liberal Party had previously claimed that the document was protected under the trust of the Cabinet.
As required by the State of Emergency Act, the Governor of the Council established the Public Security Emergency Committee on April 25 to conduct an independent public inquiry into the government’s state of emergency. The investigation must submit a final report to the government, including the findings and recommendations, by February 6, 2023.
The Commission said it had not received the Cabinet document yet, but expects it to be delivered soon.
In another statement on June 28, the Commission announced that it would give status to 20 entities. This allows individuals or groups to gain certain privileges at hearings, such as proposing witnesses or conducting cross-examinations.
Organizations awarded the status include the Government of Canada, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ottawa and Windsor in Ontario. Five groups and individuals related to police and law enforcement, groups of convoy organizers and participants, and coalitions of Ottawa businesses and community associations are also allowed.
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Andrew Chen is a Toronto-based Epoch Times reporter.