Canadian premiers oppose Trudeau's plans to invoke emergency powers over truckers' protest

Four Canian premiers have come out against country’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s plan of invoking Emergencies Act to clamp down on demonstrations against COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Canian government’s latest measure would provide ditional powers to authorities to take actions against protesters such as freezing ir bank accounts and suspending licences of vehicles. 

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said in a statement shared on Twitter, “ illegal blockes must end, but police alrey have sufficient tools to enforce law and clear blockes, as y did over weekend in Windsor. refore, Saskatchewan does not support Trudeau government invoking Emergencies Act.”

Alberta’s Jason Kenney, Manitoba’s Hear Stefanson and Quebec’s Francois Legault also posted similar statements as Moe is opposing Trudeau’s plans on Emergencies Act. If act is invoked, Moe and Kenney have demanded that measure should apply only in jurisdictions that request it. 

Trudeau vows to freeze bank accounts of truckers protesting mandate

Canian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced an unprecedented step to invoke Emergencies Act to clamp down truckers' protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Trudeau has said that response to anti-mandate protests in Cana would be “time-limited”, “reasonable and proportionate” and would not see deployment of military.

According to BBC, banks would be able to freeze personal accounts of anyone linked with protests even in absence of a court order. latest move by Canian government came as hundreds of demonstrators are still present in Ottawa. Earlier on Sunday, law enforcement managed to clear crucial US-Cana tre pathway, Ambassor Bridge in Windsor after demonstrators barred ro for a week.

In a news conference on Monday, Trudeau said, “This is about keeping Canians safe, protecting people's jobs”. Canian PM also said that police would be provided “more tools” to eir imprison or fine protesters to protect critical infrastructure. He also elaborated that legislation would be applied only temporarily and that too, in a highly specific manner. 

(Image: AP)