Alberta to argue it was able to deal with Coutts blockade before Ottawa invoked Emergencies Act at inquiry starting today
The public inquiry of the federal government's use of Canada's Emergencies Act during the convoy protests earlier this year began in Ottawa Thursday morning.
The commission's mandate is to examine the circumstances that led to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoking the legislation on Feb. 14 and investigate the measures the Canadian government took under the act.
After six weeks, the commission will make a decision about the "appropriateness and effectiveness" of the federal government's use of the power.
Alberta is one of two provinces that has full standing to participate in all aspects of the hearings.
It will argue it had the legislative tools necessary to deal with the blockades.
"Alberta will demonstrate that the Coutts border blockade was effectively dealt with prior to the federal government’s decision to invoke the Emergencies Act," Alberta's minister of justice and solicitor general, Tyler Shandro, said in a statement on Wednesday.
“The decision to invoke the act violated the constitutionally guaranteed rights of Albertans and gave the federal government the ability to seize property without due process of law."
- Inquiry into government's use of Emergencies Act starting today in Ottawa
- Everything you need to know about the Emergencies Act national inquiry
The Coutts, Alta., border crossing was one of three Canada-U.S. crossings blocked by protesters.
More than a dozen people were arrested, including four who were charged with conspiracy to commit murder.
- Judge denies bail for fourth murder conspiracy suspect in Coutts, Alta. protest
- First court appearance for alleged Coutts blockade organizers marked by protests
When the act was invoked, then-premier Jason Kenney coloured it as counterproductive and an overreach by the federal government.
"There’s been a lot of discontent publicly and around political parties around the use of such strong legislation for what in essence was a protest. It wasn’t a pretty protest – it affected a lot of communities – but it was very strong measures taken just days after federal government ministers said Ottawa police could handle it," public safety analyst Chris Lewis commented in an interview Thursday morning.
He called Canada's invocation of the Emergencies Act "helpful" but wouldn't say it was necessary.
"There was [sic] actually firearms seized in Coutts. I don’t believe there was [sic] any firearms seized in any other place. So Coutts was really one of the more dangerous locations and they handled it without any additional legislation."
The legislation allowed police to freeze protesters' bank accounts, impose fines, and arrest anyone who refused to leave the protest zones, including in downtown Ottawa.
- Undercover officers, wire taps were part of Coutts border protest investigation
- RCMP cleared border blockades without Emergencies Act powers, committee hears
Sixty-five people are expected to testify to the commission: protest leaders and organizers like Albertans Patrick King and Tamara Lich, government officials, including Trudeau, local residents and law enforcement.
As well, Coutts mayor Jim Willett and Alberta's assistant deputy minister for the public security division in the Ministry of Justice, Marlin Degrand, are on the list.
The inquiry's final report is to be submitted to the government by Feb. 6, 2023.
The hearings will begin each weekday at 9:30 a.m. ET in a room inside Library and Archives Canada. Members of the public are able to attend in person or watch live online.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Nicole Lampa, CTV News Calgary, CTVNews.ca and The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6979388.1722030190!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before residents can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes 'for several weeks.'
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Peel police say.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six-figure water bill.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Major Canadian bank experiences direct deposit outage on payday
Scotiabank says it has fixed a technical issue that impacted direct deposits on Friday morning.
Health Canada warns some naloxone kits contain false instructions
Health Canada is warning some take-home naloxone kits come with bad instructions that should be ignored in favour of the correct guidance.