The RCMP told Parliamentary Commission on May 10 that it did not advise or request the enforcement of the February emergency law, and that no other police agency was aware of it.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a justification quoted by the Liberal Party government that it had invoked the emergency measures, it was done on the advice of law enforcement agencies.
“We are not in a position to influence the government when and where to enforce a particular law,” said RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucchi in a testimony at the Special Joint Committee on the State of Emergency. I did.
A committee of senators and members is considering enacting an emergency law by the Liberal Party government earlier this year to address transnational protests and blockades demanding the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.
“Did you ask the government or representatives to enact an emergency law as a law enforcement agency that prioritizes national security?” Senator Vernon White asked Lucky.
“No, there was no doubt about demanding an emergency law,” Lucky replied.
White then asked, “Do you know any other police leader who specifically called on the government?”
“No,” Lucky replied.
Trudeau and Minister of Public Security Marco Mendicino reiterated that the law was enacted after discussing special measures with law enforcement agencies.
“It wasn’t until we received advice from law enforcement agencies that we enforced the Emergency Law.” sassistance Trudeau twice at the House of Commons during the question period on April 27.
Trudeau did not specify which law enforcement agency provided the advice, but RCMP is a federal police agency that normally interacts with the federal government.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is also under federal law and was affected by the border blockade.
The Epoch Times contacted the CBSA to find out if it had advised the government to implement the bill at any time, but said authorities were unable to respond by the time it was announced.
Mendicino states that the law was invoked at least 11 times based on the advice received from law enforcement agencies. Blackrock Reporter..
“We have enacted an emergency law based on police advice,” Mendicino said. Said At the House of Commons on May 3rd.
“We enforced the Emergency Law on the advice of law enforcement agencies,” he said. Said At home on April 28th.
“It wasn’t until we received advice from law enforcement agencies that we enforced the Emergency Act,” Mendicino said. Said At home on April 26th, Trudeau used the same word a day later.
transparency
The issue of government transparency regarding the enforcement of the law resurfaced at the Joint Committee on May 10, with allegations of receiving advice from law enforcement agencies, which were partially disputed by Lucky’s testimony.
Lucki and another witness, CSIS Director David Vigneault, did not always respond frankly because of confidentiality, which frustrated the members of the committee.
“If we don’t have the frank, concise and complete information we deserve, the seriousness of this committee feels undermined,” said Matthew Green of the NDP MP, of the information provided by the government. He said the shortage began to feel like this: “The contempt of this committee.”
The government has so far claimed the trust of the Cabinet and the privileges of lawyers and clients to avoid answering many questions about the historic decision to come into force for the first time since the enactment of the Emergency Act on February 14. I have done it.
Canadian Press contributed to this report
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Noé Charter is a Montreal-based Epoch Times reporter.