Thread by @aballinga

PM @justintrudeau says Ottawa #freedomconvoy occupation is "not a peaceful protest," citing reports of harassment and fearful residents. He also condemns border blockades for their economic impacts.

He says local police have clearly faced "serious challenges" to "effectively enforce the law."

"After discussing with cabinet and caucus, after consultation with premiers from all provinces and territories, after speaking with opposition leaders, the federal government has invoked the Emergencies Act," Trudeau says.

He says the scope of special powers will be time-limited, geographically limited, and used to support police agencies.
"This is about keeping Canadians safe, protecting people's jobs" and restoring faith in institutions.

He says police will get strengthened abilities to impose fines and jail people in certain areas. Will also get more power to protect critical infrastructure, and ensure essential services like towtrucks can be used to clear trucks blocking roads.

It will also enable the RCMP to enforce municipal bylaws and provincial laws.

Trudeau says they're not calling in the military, not limiting freedom of speech or peaceful assembly. "We are reinforcing the principles, values and institutions that keep all Canadians free," he says.

Trudeau acknowledges the Emergencies Act has never been used before. He says it should be used "sparingly, and as a last resort."
He says the situation calls for it because "responsible leadership requires us to do this."

"These blockades are illegal, and if you're still participating, the time to go home is now," Trudeau says.

He says border services agents are already turning away non-Canadians who are coming to participate in the protests.

Trudeau also says the federal gov't will provide financial supports for businesses in Ottawa shuttered by convoy protests.

Trudeau says Canada is free and he will always defend right to protest.
But: "blockading streets and critical infrastructure and depriving your neighbours of their freedoms is a totally different thing. It has to stop."

Convoy spokespeople in Ottawa earlier urged protesters not to be scared of the Emergencies Act, and suggested police should not use special powers to end demonstrations.

“No matter what you do, we will hold the line. There are no threats that will frighten us. We will hold the line," said @Tamara_MVC

@Tamara_MVC Deputy PM @cafreeland speaking now. She says the "siege" and blockades are causing serious damage to Canada's economy global reputation "as a reliable trading partner."

@Tamara_MVC @cafreeland She cites how the Ambassador Bridge blockade affected $390 million in trade per day. The Coutts and Emerson blockades also affected tens of millions each per day, she says.

Freeland says they fought tooth and nail on the new NAFTA and U.S. tariffs, and says they won't let successes there be lost. That's why the government is acting, she says, vowing the blockades will be lifted.

She says the gov't will broaden scope of anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism rules so they cover crowdfunding and cryptocurrencies. All crowdfunders and payment service providers must now register and report "large and suspicious transactions" to FINTRAC, she says.

These platforms "are being used to support illegal activities and illegal blockades," she said.
Gov't also issuing immediate order to authorize Cdn financial institutions when they suspect an account is being used to help the blockades/occupations.

Also directing financial institutions to report to CSIS/RCMP and allow them to immediately freeze or suspend an account without a court order, Freeland says.

"This is about stopping the financing of these illegal blockades... If your truck is being used... your corporate accounts will be frozen. The insurance on your vehicle will be suspended."

Minister of Justice David Lametti speaking now. He says they're declaring a Public Order Emergency and they are acting according to clear conditions in the Emergencies Act.

He says this act is different from War Measures Act in two different ways:
-includes parliamentary oversight
-and respects the Charter of Rights

Lametti says conditions for emergency powers have been met. This includes a crisis that is national in scope and exceeds the power of other laws or the provinces to address.

He says they will table the declaration of emergency as law requires within seven days. It will last for 30 days, unless renewed, but Lametti says they hope to revoke it before then. Parliament can also vote to revoke the declaration.

Lametti says the special powers under the emergency declaration are in force immediately after the cabinet issues them in an Order-in-Council.

Our @TondaMacC asks about RCMP reinforcements to Ottawa, and how PM justifies giving more power to police when some say police leadership has failed?

@TondaMacC Trudeau says there will be a time for reflection, and that they're trying to make sure police have resources and tools they need to end the occupation of Ottawa.

@TondaMacC Tonda asks about reputational damage to Canada of the blockades. What was the tipping point for them to invoke the Emergencies Act?
Trudeau: For me, it was conversations with Liberal MP from Windsor about impacts of the Ambassador Bridge blockade, "hurting" regular Cdns

@TondaMacC In convos with other leaders around the world, it has been clear this is something that democracies are concerned with -- specifically: backlashes against health measures, frustration with people tired of pandemic, impact of social media and illicit funding meant to destabilize

@TondaMacC .@borisproulx asks: What proof do you have that provinces don't already have powers they need?
Lametti says the answer lies in measures they're using, pointing to powers going after finances. That can't be done with provincial measures, he says

Trudeau says the special powers will theoretically be available everywhere, but will only be applied in specific places they're needed.

"The measure of success will be: can we get our supply chains back," and get citizens of Ottawa back to daily lives, Trudeau says.

Trudeau says one of the problems has been to get towtrucks to get the trucks out. On the Ambassador Bridge, they relied on Americans to do that, he said.