(Ottawa) The federal government has yet to respond to the recommendations of Justice Paul Rouleau, who chaired the commission of inquiry. Emergency Measures Act In 2022.
A year ago, the commission submitted its final report on the government's decision to declare a state of emergency while occupying part of the national capital and besieging some border crossings.
The commission found the government justified in applying the law, but made 56 recommendations, including some legislative changes.
Justice Rulu gave the central government one year to respond to the commission of inquiry. It should provide “a detailed timetable for implementing the recommendations it accepts and a detailed explanation of its refusal to implement them. [celles] He refuses.”
However, the judge did not impose any sanctions against the government if it failed to respond to him.
The Public Security Minister's office says it will provide more information on the government's response “soon”. However, he did not offer any explanation for the delay in providing a response to Judge Rowley.
A decision of the Federal Court contrary to the findings of the Commission of Inquiry may have a reason. The court ruled that Emergency Measures Act “unfair” and violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
In February 2022, the government implemented the law, which authorizes temporary measures including regulating and banning public gatherings, designating safe spaces, ordering banks to freeze assets and banning support for demonstrators.
This is the first application after the amendment of this Act Act of War Operations In 1988.
At the time, the federal government brought in legislation to deal with protesters who had occupied the streets of downtown Ottawa for weeks to protest health measures aimed at combating COVID-19.
Apart from the inquiry committee headed by Justice Rouleau, a Joint Parliamentary Committee was also formed in March 2022 to examine the merits of the Emergency Declaration. Representatives and senators have met more than twenty times, but have yet to submit a substantive report. Its work was slow because a large number of documents had to be translated into both official languages before they could be examined.
The translation is expected to cost millions of dollars. Elected officials have already voiced their displeasure over the delays caused by the project.
A federal court ruling complicated the process. Conservative MPs sitting on the joint committee Glenn Moats took the opportunity to call on several ministers to re-appear.
He also sought information on what legal advice the government had taken its decision on.
“Is this legal?” Did he respect the rules of the law? Is it consistent with the Charter? These are the questions that this committee needs to study,” said Mr. Moats said.
