Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing criticism and calls for his resignation after a federal court ruled that his decision to invoke the Emergencies Act in February 2022 was unreasonable and a violation of Canadians' rights. The decision to use these powers came after truckers protested for a month against the government's coronavirus vaccine mandate when crossing into the United States. The court ruling stated that the government's decision to declare a public order emergency and the associated regulations were not justified and violated the charter right to freedom of expression and protection against unreasonable search or seizure.
Trudeau's government has expressed its intention to appeal the court ruling, further fuelling the controversy. The decision to invoke the Emergencies Act was met with severe backlash when it was first announced, as the act had never been used before and was reserved for extreme cases of anarchy. The protests caused chaos in downtown Ottawa for a month, with hundreds of vehicles blocking the streets in opposition to the vaccine mandate. Trudeau defended his decision at the time, citing major supply chain issues and the need to maintain order.
However, the use of the Emergencies Act not only granted increased power to the police to remove and arrest protesters but also allowed the government to seize the assets and bank accounts of those who refused to comply. This use of power led to accusations of tyranny and an abuse of authority against Trudeau. The court ruling, albeit late, has given some Canadians solace, as it validates their concerns about the government's actions.
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